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SHORTHORN  CATTLE 


-A   SERIES   OF- 


HISTORICAL  SKETCHES.  MEMOIRS 
AND  RECORDS  OF  THE  BREED 
AND  ITS  DEVELOPMENT  IN  THE 
UNITED  STATES  AND   CANADA 


n 


By  ALVIN  R  SANDERS,  D.  Agr.,  LL.  D. 

EDITOR  OF  "THE  BREEDER'S  GAZETTE" 
AUTHOR  OF  "THE  STORY  OF  THE  HEREFORDS" 
AND  "AT  THE  SIGN  OF  THE  STOCK  YARD  INN" 


D 


CHICAGO: 

SANDERS  PUBUSHING  CO. 

I9I6 


Copyright,  1916, 

BY  SANDERS  PUBLISHING  CO. 

All  rights  reserve  i. 


"The  history  of  what  man  has  accomplished  in  this  world 
is,  at  bottom,  the  history  of  the  great  men  who  have  worked 
here.  They  were  the  leaders  of  men,  these  great  ones;  the 
modelers,  patterns,  and,  in  a  wide  sense,  creators  of  whatso- 
ever the  general  mass  of  men  contrived  to  do  or  to  attain." — 
Thomas  Carlyle. 


•^100^ 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  I— THE  OLD  SHORT-HORN  COUNTRY  AND  ITS 

CATTLE. 

Some  Short-horn  shrines — A  farmer's  cow — Grass  a  prime  factor 
in  cattle-growing- — Birthplace  and  origin  '  of  the  breed — 
Earliest  known  breeders — Some  foundation  stock        .  .        .  .      15-28 

CHAPTER  n — DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  IMPROVED  TYPE. 

Faults  of  the  old  Teeswater  stock — The  Bakewell  experiments — 
Ketton  and  Barmpton — The  original  Duchess  cow — "The 
Beautiful  Lady  Maynard" — The  bull  Hubback — Foljambe 
and  inbreeding — Favorite  (252)  an  extraordinary  sire — 
"The  Durham  Ox" — "The  White  Heifer  That  Traveled"— 
The  "alloy"  blood — As  to  Robert  Colling — "The  American 
Cow" — The  Ketton  Dispersion — The  Barmpton  sales — Pre- 
eminence   of    the    Collings 29-56 

CHAPTER  III — FOUNDATIONS  OF  THE  BOOTH  HERDS. 

The  elder  Booth — The  Fairholme  experiment — Some  foundation 
sires — The  Halnaby  or  Strawberry  tribe — The  Bracelets — 
Richard  Booth  at  Studley — The  Isabellas — John  Booth  at 
Killerby 57-68 

CHAPTER  IV— THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES. 

Early  studies  in  cattle-breeding — Original  investments — The 
Duchess  blood — Student,  experimenter  and  exhibitor — Bulls 
first  used  on  the  Duchesses — From  Halton  to  Ridley  Hall — 
Removal  to  Kirklevington — Belvedere  (1706)  of  the  Princess 
blood — The  cross  of  Whitaker's  Norfolk — The  Matchem  cow 
and  the  Oxfords — A  show-yard  disappointment — The  Oxford 
Royal  of  1839 — Prizes  at  Cambridge — A  "brush"  with  the 
Booths — Duke  of  Northumberland  (1940) — Importance  of 
tabulated  pedigrees — The  Waterloos — "Wild  Eyes  Tribe — 
The  Cambridge  (Red)  Roses — Foggathorpe  family — 
Blanche  or  Roan  Duchess  sort — The  Secrets — So-called  Bell- 
Bates  tribes — Last  appearance  in  show-yard — Dispersion  of 
the  herd — Sixty-four  Duchess  females — Individual  charac- 
ter of  the  cattle  69-113 

5 


D  TABLE  OF  COXTEXTS 

CHAPTER    V — PALMY    DAYS    AT    KILLERBY    AND    WAR- 

LABY. 

Bracelet  and  Necklace — Buckingham — John  Booth's  sale — War- 
laby  and  its  show-yard  wonders — Faith,  Hope  and  Charity 
— Crown  Prince  (10087) — Isabella  Buckingham  and  other 
celebrities — The  Blossoms  and  "Windsor  (4013) — Bride, 
Bridesmaid  and  Bride  Elect — The  quartette  of  "Queens" — 
Vivandiere,  Campfollower  and  Soldier's  Bride — Death  of 
Richard   Booth — The   Booth   method   of   breeding      .  .       .  .      119-137 

CHAPTER    VI— OTHER    EMINENT    ENGLISH    BREEDERS. 

Lord  Althorpe  (Earl  Spencer) — Jonas  Whitaker — Wetherell,  the 
"Nestor"  of  the  trade — Wiley  of  Brandsby — The  Knightley 
"Fillpails" — Fawkes  of  Farnley  Hall — William  Torr — The 
long  roll  of  honor        138-156 

CHAPTER  VII — FIRST  IMPORTATIONS  TO  AMERICA. 

Character  of  the  Gough  &  Miller  cattle — Kentucky  and  the  Pat- 
ton  stock — An  early  New  York  importation — The  Cox  im- 
portation— The  first  pedigreed  bulls — The  "Seventeens" — 
Massachusetts  importations — Early  New  York  importations  - 
— Col.  Powel's  purchases — Ancestress  of  the  Louans — Wal- 
ter   Dun's    importations 157-180 

CHAPTER     VIII — DEVELOPMENT     OF     OHIO     VALLEY 

HERDS. 

Feeding  for  seaboard  markets — Ohio  Importing  Company — Felix 
Renick  and  confreres  in  England — Whitaker's  selections  of 
1835  and  1836 — Sale  of  Oct.  29,  1836 — Final  sale  in  1837 — 
Thos.  Bates  to  Felix  Renick — Mr.  Clay's  importations  to 
Kentucky — Dr.  Martin's  importation  of  1839 — R.  Hutch- 
craft's  importation — Fayette  County  Importing  Co. — Impor- 
tations into  Tennessee — William  Neff's  importation — Wait 
and  other  importations — First  Bates  bull  for  Kentucky  181-214 

CHAPTER    IX — EASTERN    IMPORTATIONS — 1830    to    1850. 

New  York  importations — Vail's  purchases  of  Bates  cattle — 
Whitaker's  shipments  to  America — Introduction  of  Princess 
blood — Miscellaneous   importations 215-226 

CHAPTER  X— SECOND  PERIOD  OF  ACTIVITY  IN  AMERICA. 

The  first  "Duke"  for  America — Morris  and  Becar — The  Earl 
Ducie  sale  in  England — Thorndale  and  the  Duchesses — Re- 
vival of  interest  in  the  West — Scioto  Valley  Importing  Co. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS  / 

— Madison  Co.  (O.)  Co. — Northern  Kentucky  Association — 
Scott  Co.  (Ky. )  Importing  Co. — Clinton  Co.  (O. )  Associa- 
tion— Clark  Co.  (O.)  Co. — R.  A.  Alexander  of  Woodburn — 
First  of  the  Airdrie  Duchesses — The  Alexander  importation 
of  July,  1853 — Subsequent  shipments  to  Woodburn  Farm — 
Importations  by  the  Shakers — James  S.  Matson  (Kentucky) 
— ^Wilson  &  Seawright  (Ohio) — Mason  and  Bracken  (Ken- 
tucky) Association — Livingston  Co.  (N.  Y. )  Association — 
Thomas  Richardson  (New  York) — Dr.  H.  Wendell  (New- 
York) — J.  O.  Sheldon  (New  York) — R.  F.  Nichols  (Louisi- 
ana)— First  importations  into  Indiana — An  early  importa- 
tion to  Wisconsin — The  Illinois  Importing  Co. — Founding 
of   the  American   Herd   Book 227-273 

CHAPTER  XI — SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK. 

A  new  era  dawns — Duke  of  Airdrie  (12730) — George  M.  Bed- 
ford's lease  of  "The  Duke" — Jere  Duncan  and  Duke  of 
Airdrie  2743 — Abram  Renick  and  Airdrie  2478 — Airdrie  a 
bull-breeder — Inbreeding  of  the  Roses  of  Sharon — The  Van- 
meters — Young  Phyllis — Yoimg  Mary — The  "Warfleld.s — Ren- 
ick 903 — Muscatoon  70-57 — The  Loudon  Duchesses — Adop- 
tion of  Bates  type  and  methods        274-315 

CHAPTER   XII — PROGRESS   IN   THE   CENTRAL  WEST. 

First  Illinois  herds — Early  Indiana  breeders — Pioneer  breeders 
of  Michigan — First  Short-horns  west  of  the  Mississippi — 
Foundation  stock  in  Iowa — Early  Wisconsin  herds — ^Activ- 
ity in  the  show-yard — Wm.  R.  Duncan  and  Minister  6363 — 
J.  M.  Hill's  sale — J.  H.  Pickrell — Sweepstakes  6230 — Gen. 
Grant  4825 — Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster 316-356 

CHAPTER  XIII— THE  BIRTH  OF  A  "BOOM." 

"Royal"  honors  for  Bates  cattle — Duchesses  exported  to  Eng- 
land— The  Grand  Duchesses — Havering  Park  sale — Sheldon 
of  Geneva — Geneva  cattle  abroad — Walcott  &  Campbell — 
First  Hillhurst  importations — Gibson  buys  Booths  for  New 
York  Mills — Sensational  transfer  of  the  Sheldon  herd — 
"Duke"  bulls  in  demand — The  McMillan  sale — Col.  William 
S.  King — The  Lyndale  show  herd — Tycoon  7339 — King's 
victory  at  St.  Louis — W.  R.  Duncan's  sale — The  beginning 
of   live-stock    journalism        357-394 

CHAPTER  XIV — AN  ERA  OF  EXPANSION. 

Hillhurst  and  Lyndale  operations — Exportations  to  England — 
Clark  Co.  (Ky. )  Importing  Co. — High  prices  in  Illinois — 
The  great  trade  of  1872 — Oakland  Favorite  10546  and  Lou- 
don Duke  6th  10399 — The  first  National  convention — Oppo- 
sition  to   prevailing   "fashion"    developed        395-409 


O  TABLE   OF   CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  XV — THE  SENSATION   OF   SEVENTY-THREE. 

Spring  sales  of  1873 — Dunmore's  big  deal — Summer  sales — New 
York  Mills  dispersion — Kello's  mistake — Sources  of  deteri- 
oration— 4th  Duke  of  Geneva — English  sales  of  1873      .  .      410-433 

CHAPTER  XVI— A  GOLDEN  AGE. 

Spring  sales  of  1874 — Lyndale  sale  at  Dexter  Park — Other 
Western  events — Kentucky  summer  sales — Closing  events 
of  1874 — The  sales  of  1875 — Glen  Flora  dispersion — Kissin- 
ger's  sale — Elliott    &   Kent — Spears    and    the    Nelly    Blys 

Pickrell's  great  sale — Jacobs'  sale  at  West  Liberty — Dexter 
Park  auctions — The  Avery  &  Murphy  sale — Long  prices  at 
Meredith's — Airdrie  Duchesses  at  $18,000  each — Big  sales 
in  the  Blue  Grass — Pushing  the  Princesses — The  Trans- 
Mississippi  trade — $3,500  for  a  Scotch  heifer — Groom  im- 
portations and  sale — Other  important  transactions — All  rec- 
ords broken  at  Dunmore — Torr's  Triumph — Additional  im- 
portations— Another  Renick  exportation — North  Elkhorn 
(Ky.)     importation — Closing    events    of    1875 434-480 

CHAPTER  XVII — THE  TURN  OF  THE  TIDE. 

Hon.  George  Brown  and  Bow  Park — 4th  Duke  of  Clarence — 
Opening  sales  of  1876 — Potts  buys  imp.  Duke  of  Richmond 
— Col.  Hollo  way's  big  average — Albert  Crane  pays  $23,600 
for  an  Airdrie  Duchess — $17,900  for  14th  Duke  of  Thorn- 
dale — Closing  events  of  1876 — Pickrell  and  Kissinger — 
Spring  sales  of  1877 — Cochrane  at  Windermere — Sale  sum- 
mary for  1877 — A  falling  market — Top  prices  in  England 
for  1878 — Dark  days  of  1879 — The  rally  of  1880 — The  Vaile 
and  Rumsey  importations — Sales  of  1881 — A  new  era  at 
hand — Injudicious  breeding — Evils  of  speculation — The  spur 
of  opposition — Scotch   cattle   to   the  fore 481-516 

CHAPTER  XVIII — SCOTLAND'S  SEARCHING  TEST. 

"Caledonia  stern  and  wild" — Science,  "roots"  and  Short-horns — 
Feed-lot  considerations  paramount — Crossing  the  border — 
Robertson  of  Ladykirk — Rennie  of  Phantasie — Barclay  of 
Ury — Hutcheson  of  Monyruy — Grant  Duff  of  Eden — Bra- 
with  Bud — Simpson  and  Buchan  Hero — ^Hay  of  Shethin.         517-540 

CHAPTER  XIX — AMOS  CRUICKSHANK  OF  SITTYTON. 

A.  new  type  sought — The  brothers  Cruickshank — The  farm  at 
Sittyton — General  plan  pursued — The  first  of  the  Violets — 
Venus  tribe — The  family  of  Mimulus — Picotee  and  her 
progeny — The  Matchless  sort — The  Broadhooks — Origin  of 


TABLE  OF   CONTENTS  \) 

the  Lady  tribe — The  Nonpareils — Sittyton  Butterflys — Or- 
ange Blossoms — Admah,  Kilmeny  3d,  and  Eliza  by  Brutus 
— Clipper  tribe — The  Victorias — The  Lancasters — The  Bra- 
with  Buds — Duchesses  of  Gloster — The  Secrets — The  Cicely 
sort — Avalanche — Violette — The  Lovelys — Barmpton  Roses 
— The  Spicys — The  Lavenders — First  Sittyton  bulls — Fair- 
fax Royal  (6987) — Hudson  (9228),  Report  (10704)  and 
Velvet  Jacket  (10998) — Matadore  (11800) — Plantagenet 
(11906) — Doctor  Buckingham  (14405) — The  Baron  (13833) 
— Lord  Bathurst  (15173) — Master  Butterfly  2d  (14918)  — 
John  Bull  (11618)— Lord  Raglan  (13244)— The  Czar 
(20947) — Lancaster  Comet  (11663) — Champion  of  England 
(17526) — Windsor  Augustus  (19157) — Forth  (17866)  — 
Lord  Privy  Seal  (16444)— Prince  Alfred  (27107) — Other 
outside  bulls — Concentration  of  the  Champion  of  England 
blood — Scotland's  Pride  and  Pride  of  the  Isles — Caesar  Au- 
gustus— Royal  Duke  of  Gloster — Roan  Gauntlet — Barmpton 
—Cumberland        541-602 

CHAPTER  XX— OTHER  NORTH  COUNTRY  HERDS. 

Douglas  of  Athelstaneford — Carripbell  of  Kinellar — The  Nonpa- 
reils, Miss  Ramsdens  and  Golden  Drops — Early  Kinellar 
sires — Booth  cross  disappointing — Marr  of  Uppermill — The 
Maudes — The  Missies — The  Princess  Royals — The  Alexan- 
drinas — The  Roan  or  Red  Ladys — The  Bessies — The  Claras 
— The  Emmas — The  Goldies — Sittyton  sorts — Early  sires 
at  Uppermill — Heir  of  Enghshman  (24122) — Cherub  4th 
(83359) — Athabasca  (47359) — William  of  Orange  (50694) 
— Later  Sittyton  sires  at  Uppermill — Lethenty — Collynie.       603-625 

CHAPTER  XXI — RISE   OF   SCOTCH   POWER   IN  AMERICA. 

Early  importations  into  Ontario — First  Sittyton  cattle  in  Canada 
— The  Athelstane  blood — Cruickshank  cattle  at  the  shows — 
Violet's  Forth — The  Golden  Drops — Thompson's  other  im- 
portations— John  Miller's  first  shipment — James  I.  David- 
son— Hon.  John  Drj  den — Arthur  Johnston — Miscellaneous 
Canadian  importations — The  lies  importation  into  Illinois 
— Robt.  Milne  of  Kelvin  Grove — Lowman  and  Smith's  im- 
portation— Scotch  success  at  the  shows — Potts  and  the 
Duke  of  Richmond — The  Fanny  Airdrie  "nick" — Frederick 
William  and  "the  twins" — A  line  of  Cruickshank  sires — 
Twenty  years  in  the  show-yard — The  Wilhoit  herd.        .  .      626-662 

CHAPTER  XXII — CLOSING  EVENTS  OP  THE  CENTURY. 

Sale  of  the  Hillhurst  Duchesses — Richard  Gibson's  sale  of  1882 
— Woodburn  sale  of  1882 — The  Huston-Gibson  sale — Pal- 
mer's sale  of  Scotch  cattle — Kentucky  Importing  Co.  of 
1883 — Sale   of   Pickrell,   Thomas   &    Smith — Kentucky    sum- 


10  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 

mer  sales  of  1883 — Sale  of  the  Holford  Duchesses — The 
Hamiltons — Col.  W.  A.  Harris  of  Linwood — Success  of 
Baron  Victor — The  Linwood  Golden  Drops — Baron  Laven- 
der 2d — Imp.  Craven  Knight — A  search  for  sires — Princess 
Alice — Linwood's  salutary  influence — J.  J.  Hill  of  North 
Oaks — Hope's  show  herds  of  1887  and  1889 — Luther  Adams' 
importations — The  shipment  of  1887 — Cupbearer  bought — 
West  Liberty  sale — The  memorable  purchase  of  1887 — 
Lakeside's  show  herd  of  1888 — Third  and  last  lot — Last 
successful  Duchess  sale — Sale  of  the  Sittyton  herd — The 
Cruickshank  cows  at  Collynie — Field  Marshal  and  Mario — 
Scottish  Archer  and  Count  Lavender — Argentine  and  the 
shambles — Summary  of  Sittyton  sales — Moberley  and  Young 
Abbottsburn — Mary  Abbottsburn  7th — Forest  Grove  sale — 
Woodburn  dispersion — Columbian  Exposition  awards — Re- 
cent importations — Herd-book  consolidation.  .  .  .  .      683-743 

CHAPTER  XXIII — A  DUAL-PURPOSE  BREED. 

Universal  adaptability — Feed-lot  favorites — "Prime  Scots" — 
Smithfield  Club — American  Fat-Stock  Show — On  the  range 
— Dairy  capacity — State  fair  tests — The  Columbian  records 
— The  "Wisconsin  experiment — Official  records  in  Iowa — 
Figures  from  New  York — Polled  Durham s 744-780 

CHAPTER  XXIV — THE  LAMP  OP  EXPERIENCE. 

What  constitutes  success? — Inbreeding — Herd-book  registration 
— Color — Handling  quality — Constitution,  character  and 
conformation — Primary  points  in  management — Does  show- 
ing pay? — Selling  the  surplus — About  animal  portraiture — 
Tribal  designation — Dignity  of  the  breeder's  calling — The 
future » .      781-811 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


The  Home  of  Thomas  Bates  at  Kirklev 

Charles  axd  Robert  Colling 

Kettox  Hall 

"White  Heifer  That  Traveled" 

Comet   (155) 

Thomas  Booth 

Thomas  Bates. 

Duchess  by  Daisy  Bull   (186). 

Kettox   1st    (709) 

Belvedere     (1706) 

Cleveland  Lad  (3407) 

Norfolk    (2377) 

"Pet"    Duchess    34th 

Duke  of  Northumberland  (1940) 
Duchess   42d  and   Duchess    43d. 

"Warlaby  House 

Necklace. 

Bracelet 

Birthday.  

Vivandiere 

Commander-in-Chief   (21451) 

Lady    Fragrant 

At  The   Gates  of  Woodburn 

Felix  Rexick 

Capt.  James  N.  Browx. 
Gex.  Sol  Meredith, 

Thomas  Wilhoit 

Abram    Rexick 

B.    F.    Vaxmeter 

George  M.   Bedford. 

William  Warfield 

Imp.  Duke  of  Airdrie   (12730). 
LouDox  Duchess  2d  axd  Daughter. 

J.    H.    PiCKRELL 

Col.  William  S.  Kixg 

J.  H.  Kissinger 

J.  H.   Spears 

Barox  Booth  of  Lancaster  7535.   .  . 
Col.    William    S.    Kixg's    Prize   Herd 

Simon  Beattie,       

Richard    Gibson 

John  R.   Page 

11 


Frontispiece. 
facixg  page     29 
33 
44 
51 


12 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


John   Thornton 

14th    Duke   of   Thorndale    (28459) 
4th    Duke    of    Geneva    (30958) 

George  W.  Rust 

Hon.   T.   C.   Jones 

Col.  James  W.  Judy. 

Lewis    F.     Allen 

William    Torr 

T.  C.   Booth 

Highland    Flower. 

10th    Duchess    of    Airdrie 

Imp.  Maid  of  Honor. 

Hon.  H.  M.  Cochrane' s  Sale, 

Amos  Cruickshank, 

SiTTTTON    House 

The  "Steading"  at  Uppermill, 

A  Glimpse  of  Collynie.     .  . 

J.  H.  Potts  &  Son^s  Show  Herd, 

Young   Abbottsburn    110679. 

Col.  W.  a.  Harris. 

T.   S.   Moberley. 

William  Miller.    .  . 

J.   H.   Potts 

Royal  Hero  113611. 
James  I.  Davidson.    .  . 
John    Dryden. 
Hon.   M.   H.    Cochrane. 

John  Hope 

William   Duthie. 
J.  Deane  Willis.   .  . 

S.  Campbell 

W.  S.  Marr 

New   Tear's    Gift    (57796) 

Field   Marshal    (47870). 

Residence  of  Deane  Willis  of  Bapton 

Elvira  of  Browndale  3d  and  Calf. 

St.  Valentine  121014 

Imp.  Baron  Cruickshank  106297 

Ruberta  and  Rose  O' Grady. 

Wild  Queen  2d. 

Whiskers. 

John  D.  Gillett.    , 

Dowager  3d. 

Molly  Millicent. 

Jewel  2d. 

Kitty  Clay  4th. 

Schooler. 

College  Moore. 

College  Belle  2d. 


Manor. 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATION'S  13 

ROWEXA  2d '^'^'^ 

Miss  Belladrum   6th "^81 

Bapton  Pearl "^^9 

Cicely ''^^ 

Breed  Types  Shown  by  Photography 798 

Show  Herd  of  George  Harrisox 802 

Champion  Aged  Herd  1904 .,        ^04 

Fair  Queen ^"7 


chapter  i 
the;  old  shoet-horn  country  and  its 

CATTLE 

One  bright  morning  in  the  month  of  June  a  few 
years  since  the  writer  was  a  passenger  in  a  vehicle 
that  emerged  from  the  environs  of  the  comfortable 
little  city  of  Darlington,  England — once  the  Short- 
horn capital — into  the  open  country  so  familiar  a 
century  ago  to  those  rare  old  worthies  who  gave  to 
the  world  the  breed  that  forms  the  subject  of  our 
story.  Rural  England  at  this  season  of  the  year  will 
stir  the  blood  of  any  human  being  who  has  any 
capacity  whatever  for  the  appreciation  of  pastoral 
panoramas.  When  to  the  natural  beauty  of  the  land- 
scape is  added  the  chaiTQ  of  historic  association  and 
congenial  companionship,  it  is  indeed  not  difficult  for 
a  lover  of  Short-horns  to  while  away  a  summer  holi- 
day in  the  peaceful  valley  of  the  river  Tees  and  con- 
tiguous territory  in  York  and  Durham,  the  ancestral 
home  of  the  breed. 

Some  Short-horn  shrines. — Here  are  the  grassy 
lanes  of  Hurworth,  where  the  dam  of  Hubback 
grazed;  there  the  farms  once  occupied  by  Charles 
and  Robert  Colling;  yonder  Yarm  with  its  quaint  old 
market-place  and  Black  Bull  Inn.  This  cluster  of 
cottages,  nestling  amidst  sheltering  vines  and  flow- 
is 


16  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOEN   CATTLE 

ering  laburnums,  holds  the  unpretentious  roof  of 
Thomas  Bates,  and  marks  also  the  historic  little 
church-yard  of  Kirklevington  with  the  tomb  of  the 
man  to  whom  Short-horn  history  is  primarily  in- 
debted for  the  most  dramatic  event  ever  registered 
in  the  annals  of  agriculture.*  We  try  to  recall  the 
figure  of  the  keen  old  bachelor,  but  we  seek  in  vain 
through  the  now-deserted  fields  for  Belvedere,  the 
Duke  of  Northumberland  or  Duchess  34th.  That 
typical  English  hamlet  of  ye  olden  time — Great 
Smeaton — shows  the  house  where  Coates,  the  father 
of  Short-horn  pedigree  records,  compiled  his  earliest 
notes.  Away  over  the  hills  is  Eryholme,  with  its 
memories  of  ''the  beautiful  Lady  Maynard,''  and 
nearing  the  Tees  at  Croft  a  portrait  of  the  $5,000 
Comet  still  greets  the  eye  on  the  sign-board  of  a  way- 
side inn;  while  over  the  way  is  Stapleton,  the  farm 
where  the  famous  old  bull  was  buried. 

Passing  from  the  train  at  Northallerton  and 
mounting  a  trap  in  waiting  we  are  soon  on  a  perfect 
English  roadway  bound  for  one  of  the  most  cele- 
brated seats  of  Short-horn  power.  Wending  our 
way  between  vine-clad  walls  and  hawthorn  hedges 
we  traverse  a  gently-rolling  Yorkshire  landscape 
having  for  a  background  the  distant  Cleveland  hills. 
Lost  in  admiration  at  the  moving  picture,  not  wholly 
unlike  the  fairest  portions  of  the  Blue-Grass  region 
of  Central  Kentucky,  we  presently  sight  *  *  red,  white 


*The  International  contest  for  the  possession  of  the  Bates  Duch- 
esses at  New  York  Mills  in  1873,  when  198  head  of  Short-horn  cattle 
sold  for  the  astonishing  total  of  $380,490. 


THE    OLD   SHORT-HORN   COUNTRY  17 

and  roans"  in  all  their  glory,  up  to  their  knees  in 
richest  grass,  on  a  sod  that  represents  the  growth 
of  centuries.  A  Short-horn  enthusiast's  heart  beats 
high  as  he  here  approaches  Warlaby  and  passing 
through  a  velvety  lawn  stands  at  the  threshold  so 
sacred  to  the  house  of  Booth.  There  is  a  word  to 
conjure  with!  Redolent  with  its  recollections  of 
Crown  Prince,  Queen  of  the  May,  Nectarine  Blossom. 
Bride  Elect  and  other  names  that  hold  a  place  in 
the  great  galaxy  of  Short-horn  '' immortals"! 
"Many  a  valuable  cup  and  hard-won  medal  may 
there  be  seen.  The  portrait  of  many  a  prize-taker 
decorates  its  rooms;  and  many  a  pleasant  hour  has 
been  spent  and  ancient  story  told  in  this  quiet  Short- 
horn home,  while  the  genuine  old  squire  'refilled 
his  pipe  and  showed  how  fields  were  won.'  " 

Away  in  the  bleaker  Northland,  far  beyond  those 
beauteous  English  scenes  bounded  by  ''Tweed's  fair 
river,  broad  and  deep,"  is  a  Caledonian  cottage  hid 
away  in  one  of  the  prettiest  little  gardens  fancy  can 
portray.  So  cosily  does  it  seem  ensconced  that  the 
wintry  blasts  from  the  neighboring  German  ocean 
surely  lose  a  part  of  their  hyperborean  rigor  before 
they  reach  that  quiet  fireside.  We  are  in  far-off 
Aberdeen.  A  white-haired  octogenarian,  Amos 
Cruickshank,  there  awaited  the  peaceful  ending  of 
a  life  that  proved  eminently  useful  to  his  fellow  men, 
pure  and  elevating  in  its  character,  and  fruitful  of 
results  to  the  Short-horn  world.  Modestly  the  Nestoi' 
of  the  North  Country  cattle-breeding  told  us  some- 


18  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

thing  of  liis  life  and  work.  We  left  him,  the  sage  of 
Sittyton,  standing  there  amidst  the  greenery  of  his 
shrubs  and  flowers,  and  as  we  looked  around  upon 
the  fields  and  paddocks  that  once  held  Champion  of 
England,  Pride  of  the  Isles,  Koan  Gauntlet  and 
Koyal  Northern,  and  Highland  winners  by  the  score, 
w^e  felt  the  spell  of  a  wondrous  story  brooding  over 
those  silent  Scottish  "braes." 

What  have  these  men,  their  colleagues  and  their 
followers,  accomplished!  What  is  the  nature  of 
their  legacy!  Let  us  first  turn  for  partial  answer 
to  the  world's  greatest  exhibition  of  live  stock  and 
agricultural  products.  We  are  under  the  medieval 
walls  of  Castle  Warwick.  The  flower  of  British 
Short-horn  herds  is  assembled  in  the  park.  The 
meeting  of  the  Eoyal  Agricultural  Society  of  Eng- 
land is  in  progress.  The  ripe  fruit  of  generations  of 
careful  breeding  is  before  us.  We  note  the  size  and 
excellence  of  the  various  classes  as  they  came  for- 
ward upon  that  occasion  to  be  judged;  the  ''bloom" 
and  the  wealth  of  flesh  and  hair!  We  turn  to  our 
catalogue.  All  trace  at  last  to  that  same  little  valley 
of  the  Tees;  some  through  Kirklevington,  some 
through  Warlaby,  some  through  Sittyton,  and  some 
through  other  channels  found  in  the  broad-flowing 
currents  of  the  breed.  The  crowds  throng  about  the 
arena,  where  prince  and  peasant,  great  land-owners 
and  tenant  farmers  and  visitors  from  every  clime 
meet  to  do  honor  to  England's  most  widely-dissemi- 
nated race  of  domesticated  animals,  and,  indirectly, 


THE   OLD   SHORT-HORN    COUNTRY  1J9 

to  bear  testimony  to  the  noble  service  rendered  to 
the  cause  of  agriculture  by  the  builders  of  this  breed. 

A  farmer's  cow. — The  average  farmer,  as  dis- 
tinguished from  the  dairyman  and  professional 
feeder,  maintaining  cattle  as  an  incidental,  albeit 
necessary,  feature  of  a  well-ordered  system  of  mixed 
husbandry,  requires  not  only  milk,  cream  and  butter 
in  good  supply  for  domestic  consumption,  but  the 
cows  that  provide  him  with  these  products  are  also 
expected  to  raise  a  calf  each  year  that  can  be  profit- 
ably utilized  in  consuming  the  grass  and  "rough- 
ness'^ of  the  farm;  so  that  the  males  will  command  a 
fair  price  as  yearlings  and  two-year-olds  for  feeding 
purposes  and  the  heifers  possess  the  requisite  size 
and  quality  fitting  them  for  retention  in  the  breed- 
ing herd.  Hence  the  necessity  for  a  combined  beef- 
and-milk-producing  breed  for  general  farm  pur- 
poses. 

It  is  claimed  by  those  who  support  its  contentions 
that  the  Short-horn  blood  produces  "the  farmer's 
cow"  par  excellence  of  the  world.  The  females  often 
reach  in  full  flesh  1,800  lbs.  in  weight,  occasionally 
making  2,000  lbs.,  and  with  good  farm  keep  at  matu- 
rity should  average  say  1,400  lbs.  in  working  con- 
dition. Aged  bulls  in  high  flesh  occasionally  weigh 
up  to  2,800  lbs.,  but  experienced  breeders  prefer  sires 
that  average  from  2,000  lbs.  to  2,400  lbs.,  extreme 
weights  not  being  generally  favored.  In  color  they 
are  red,  roan,  red  with  white  markings  or  white.  In 
Great  Britain,  the  home  of  the  breed,  the  roans  pre- 


20  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

dominate.  This  is  indeed  the  one  distinctive  Sliort- 
horn  color,  never  produced  except  by  the  presence 
of  the  blood  of  this  breed.  In  America  reds  have 
been  in  special  demand  for  some  years  past  purely 
as  a  matter  of  fancy,  although  the  other  colors — 
save  perhaps  the  pure  whites — are  also  seen  in 
nearly  every  herd.  Good  Short-horn  cows  should 
yield  a  fair  flow  of  milk  as  well  as  fatten  readily 
when  dry.  The  steers  possess  smooth,  level  frames, 
mature  quickly  on  the  ordinary  foods  of  the  farm 
and  are  in  great  demand  for  feeding  purposes.  The 
bulls  ''cross"  well  upon  cows  of  other  types,  being 
especially  valued  for  leveling  and  refining  the  form 
of  stock  lacking. size,  finish  and  quality. 

Grass  a  prime  factor  in  cattle-growing. — England, 
the  home  of  the  Short-horn,  with  its  moist,  equitable 
climate,  is  a  veritable  paradise  for  herbivorous 
animals.  During  those  trying  months  when  Ameri- 
can pastures  lie  brown  and  bare  under  a  fierce  mid- 
summer sun  those  of  England  still  afford  green  feed. 
Our  blue-grass  fields  in  June  are  luxuriant  beyond 
compare,  and  in  late  autumnal  days  usually  regain 
for  a  time  much  of  their  earlier  splendor,  but  the 
season  of  uninterrupted  grazing  in  England  is  longer 
and  the  pastures  carry  a  greater  variety  of  plants. 
While  John  Bull,  therefore,  owes  much  of  his  fame 
as  a  producer  of  the  flesh-bearing  breeds  to  the  per- 
sistency of  the  island  verdure  it  has  remained, 
nevertheless,  for  an  American  to  furnish  agricultural 
literature  with  a  fitting  tribute  to  ''the  universal 


THE   OLD   SHOET-HOKX    COUNTRY  21 

beneficence  of  grass.''  Not  in  the  midst  of  the  peer- 
less pastures  of  old  England,  but  on  the  rolling 
prairies  of  our  own  breezy  ''Sunflower  State"  of 
Kansas  Senator  Ingalls  found  his  inspiration.  ''It 
yields  no  fruit  in  earth  or  air,  yet  should  its  harvest 
fail  for  a  single  year  famine  would  depopulate  the 
world."* 

From  time  immemorial  it  has  been  the  mission  of 
the  herd  and  flock  to  convert  this  rich  fruitage  of 
the  earth  to  the  use  of  man,  and  one  of  the  crown- 
ing triumphs  of  modern  agriculture  is  found  in  the 
perfection  to  which  domestic  animals  especially 
adapted  to  this  end  have  been  brought.    England  has 

that^tWs  The?oHcaf  ^Z^^'^fXt^t^'^'''^''  ^^''^  °^^^^  expressed  the  wish 
form.  It  was  oi'Sinalt^^P  nfrf  n^/  ^'^'^"^  permanent  setting  in  some 
Ingalls  many  vei?^  «in  ^tJ  °^  1  magazine  article  written  by  Mr. 
given  a  pllcl  here      ^  ^  much-admired   passage   is   accordingly 

thosr?hrU'\)hvSfc'ki''facl?  which  l^n^H  ^'^^^^'^^  °^  ^^t^^'  ^^^^t  and  air. 
flh  w?ln|l|  Si  th'e  marke?  andJhXr.\'^^-!'V'  '^  ended    and  the  fool 

mmmmm 

mmmmmuimm 

the  woH^'^''  ^^'^'''  '^''  '"^  ^  ^^^^^^  ^'^'  famine  wiuirdepopulS^e 


90 


A   HISTOEY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 


easily  taken  the  lead  of  all  other  nations  in  this 
fascinating  and  eminently  practical  pursuit,  and  in 
the  Short-horn  breed  of  cattle  has  given  to  the  world 
a  variety  of  farm  stock  that  has  probably  been  more 
widely  distributed  than  any  other  known  type.  It 
has  not  oiilj  received  by  reason  of  its  dual-purpose 
character  more  attention  at  the  hands  of  the  tenant 
farmers  and  landed  projDrietors  of  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland  than  any  other  British  breed,-  but  has  a  firm 
hold  upon  the  affections  of  the  farmers  of  the  United 
States  and  Canada  under  varying  environments.  It 
has  been  extensively  introduced  into  Australia  and 
Argentina  and  has  a  foothold  in  the  grazing  regions 
about  the  South  African  Cape.  Continental  Europe 
with  all  its  conservatism  has  drawn  frequently  upon 
British  Short-horn  herds — France  in  particular 
maintaining  good  collections  of  registered  stock.  It 
has  peculiar  claims,  therefore,  to  the  title  sometimes 
bestowed  upon  it  as  being  ' '  the  one  great  cosmopoli- 
tan breed." 

Birthplace  and  origin  of  the  breed. — The  Short- 
horn— or  ^'Durham"  as  formerly  called  by  many 
farmers  in  the  United  States — is  of  composite  origin, 
representing  the  result  of  generations  of  skillful 
blending  of  various  original  types.  While  its  long 
period  of  incubation  is  shrouded  in  more  or  less  un- 
certainty there  is  no  question  either  as  to  its  original 
habitat  or  its  ancient  lineage.  Tradition,  as  well  as 
authentic  records,  recognized  the  progenitors  of  the 
modem  type  in  the  Counties  of  Northumberland, 


THE   OLD   SHOET-HOEX   COUNTRY  23 

Durham,  York  and  Lincoln  for  several  centuries 
prior  to  the  final  crystallization  of  the  breed  in  and 
about  the  Teeswater  Valley.  So  much  of  a  specula- 
tive character  has  been  published  relating  to  the 
gradual  evolution  in  Northeastern  England  of  the 
established  type  of  which  we  write  that  it  is  not 
essential,  nor  would  it  be  of  any  special  profit,  for 
us  to  undertake  to  travel  extensively  over  that  un- 
certain ground  in  this  volume.  For  centuries  it  is 
said  that  Northern  England  was  the  home  of  a 
horned  black  breed,  and  black  cattle  predominated 
in  Yorkshire  and  adjacent  counties  until  the  seven- 
teenth century.  At  this  date  two  other  well-known 
types  existed  in  England,  the  "pied"  cattle  of  Lin- 
colnshire, with  ''more  white  than  other  colors,"  and 
the  red  stock  of  Somerset  and  Gloucestershire.  By 
the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century,  although  the 
Yorkshire  cattle  were  still  largely  black,  mixed 
colors  began  to  make  their  appearance.  ''But  of  all 
the  cows  in  England,"  wrote  William  Ellis,  in  1744, 
"I  think  none  comes  up  to  the  Holderness  breed  for 
their  wide  bags,  short  horns  and  large  bodies,  whicli 
render  them  (whether  black  or  red)  the  most  profit- 
able beasts  for  the  dairyman,  grazier  and  butcher. 
Some  of  them  have  yielded  two  or  three  gallons  at 
a  meal."  This  type  took  its  name  from  the  district 
of  Holderness  in  Southeastern  Yorkshire.  About 
this  time  cattle  were  imported  from  continental 
Europe  into  the  Eastern  counties.  These  consisted 
chiefly  of  large  white  Dutch  or  Flanders  cows.    It 


24  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

is  also  said  that  bulls  were  brought  in  from  Holland 
and  used  on  some  of  the  herds  of  York  and  Durham. 
These  Dutch  cattle  should  not,  however,  be  confused 
with  the  modern  Holstein-Friesians.  It  is  said  that 
Michael  Dobinson  and  Sir  William  St.  Quintin — 
both  of  whom  were  among  the  earliest  possessors 
of  old-time  short-horned  herds — imported  and  used 
Dutch  bulls.  These  various  types  were  all  of  a  very 
crude  sort  when  contrasted  with  the  breed  finally 
evolved  from  them,  and  as  we  are  more  interested 
in  the  result  than  in  speculation  as  to  the  remote 
origin  of  the  race  we  need  not  dwell  upon  them. 

Earliest  known  breeders. — It  is  claimed  that  a 
short-horned  type  of  cattle  existed  on  the  Yorkshire 
estates  of  the  Earls  and  Dukes  of  Northumberland 
for  a  period  of  two  hundred  years  prior  to  1780. 
Herds  of  short-horned  stock  had  also  been  in  the 
possession  of  the  Smithsons  of  Stanwick  as  early  as 
the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century.  The  Aisla- 
bies  of  Studley  Eqyal  and  Blacketts  of  Newby  were 
likewise  fond  of  good  cattle  and  paid  great  atten- 
tion to  the  quality  of  their  herds  about  this  same 
period.  Other  prominent  breeders  prior  to  the  year 
1780  were  Sir  William  St.  Quintin,  Sir  James  Penny- 
man*^  and  Mr.  Milbank  of  Barningham.    The  latter 

*To  induce  his  tenants  to  pay  more  attention  to  the  quality  of  their 
stock  Sir  James  is  said  to  have  frequently  made  small  wagers  as  to 
whose  oxen  would  weigh  the  most  and  bring  the  best  prices.  Cadwal- 
lader  Bates  says:  "The  farm  accounts  commencing  from  1745  regu- 
larly recorded  the  sales  of  Pennyman  Short-horns,  with  their  weight 
and  proof  in  tallow,  for  they  were  very  often  sold  by  weight.  As  the 
soil  there  is  a  strong  clay  no  turnips  were  grown,  and  the  cattle  were 
kept  in  winter  on  only  hay  and  straw.  Notwithstanding  this,  the  flve- 
year-cld  steers  generally  averaged  about  1.960  lbs." 


THE   OLD   SHOKT-HOEN   COUNTRY  25 

secured  some  of  his  cattle  from  the  Blacketts,  but 
his  reputation  rests  largely  upon  his  use  of  the 
famous  red-and-white  Studley  Bull  (626),  calved  in 
1737,  that  became  the  progenitor  of  many  celebrated 
animals.  Between  the  years  1730  and  1780  many 
eminent  breeders  gave  their  attention  to  the  im- 
provement of  their  cattle,  among  them,  besides  those 
already  mentioned,  being  Sharter,  Pickering,  Ste- 
phenson, Wetherell,  Maynard,  Dobinson,  Charge, 
Wright,  Hutchinson,  Eobson,  Snowdon,  Waistell, 
Richard  and  William  Barker,  Brown,  Hall,  Hill, 
Best,  Watson,  Baker,  Thompson,  Jackson,  Smith, 
Jolly,  Masterman,  Wallace  and  Robertson.  These 
names  we  find  as  breeders  of  the  earliest  cattle 
whose  names  and  pedigrees  are  recorded  in  the  first 
volume  of  the  English  Herd  Book.  It  may  be  well 
to  know  that  as  this  herd  book  was  not  published 
until  the  year  1822 — some  thirty  or  forty  years 
after  the  decease  of  many  of  those  we  have  men- 
tioned— tradition,  and  the  memory  of  men  then 
living,  as  well  as  the  written  records  of  their  prede- 
cessors, were  the  authorities  on  which  the  lineage 
of  the  earlier  animals  were  admitted  to  record. 

Some  foundation  stock. — The  Studley  Bull  (626), 
dropped  in  1737,  was  one  of  the  first  great  stock- 
getters  of  the  breed  of  which  there  is  record.  The 
herd  book  furnishes  no  particulars  concerning  him, 
but  he  is  described  by  competent  contemporary 
authority  as  having  been  a  red-and-white  '^pos- 
sessed of  wonderful  girth  and  depth  of  forequarters, 


26  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

very  short,  neat  frame  and  light  offal."  One  of  his 
sons,  "Mr.  Lakeland's  bull,"  said  to  have  attained 
great  size  and  to  have  carried  a  good  back,  begot 
William  Barker's  Bull  (51),  that  acquired  reputa- 
tion as  the  sire  of  another  one  of  the  breed-founders 
known  as  "James  Brown's  Red  Bull  (97)."  This 
noted  bull  was  bred  by  John  Thompson  at  Girling- 
ton  Hall.  At  this  date  it  was  not  customary  to  pre- 
serve  the  name  or  even  a  description  of  the  cows 
from  which  sires  in  service  were  descended.  The 
pedigree  was  traced  through  the  bull  line  exclu- 
sively. Hence  there  is  no  record  as  to  the  maternal 
ancestry  of  these  foundation  sires.  Mr.  Coates,  who 
collected  the  material  for  the  first  volume  of  the 
herd  book,  which  still  bears  his  name,  had  intended 
that  a  description  of  the  most  noted  animals  should 
appear  in  the  public  registry.  Although  this  plan 
was  not  adopted  in  the  final  revision  of  the  book  his 
notes  on  many  of  the  earlier  sires  have  nevertheless 
been  preserved.  From  these  it  appears  that  "J. 
Brown's  old  red  bull"  had  "good  fore  quarters  and 
handle,*  huggins  and  rumps  not  good,  strong  thighs, 
excellent  getter."  The  progeny  of  this  bull  was 
apparently  held  in  great  esteem,  and  some  of  his 
daughters  subsequently  attained  much  reputation, 
one  becoming  the  ancestress  of  the  afterwards  cele- 
brated Bates  Duchess  tribe,  and  another  was  the 


*This  refers  evidently  to  his  "touch,"  as  the  handling  qualities  of 
breeding-  stock  were  carefully  regarded  by  the  original  improvers  of 
the  breed. 


THE   OLD   SHORT-HORN   COUNTRY  27 

ancestral  dam  of  Eobert  Colling 's  old  Eed  Kose 
sort. 

The  most  famous  of  all  the  foundation  bulls,  how- 
ever, was  Hubback  (319),  his  influence  having  been 
so  great  as  to  require  special  comment  in  these  pages 
further  on.  Many  bulls  are  recorded  in  the  first 
volume  of  the  English  Herd  Book  that  lived  anterior 
to  the  year  1780,  but  aside  from  their  names  and 
that  of  a  sire,  and  sometimes  a  grandsire,  little  or 
nothing  seems  to  have  been  recorded  of  their  ances- 
try, and  nothing  beyond  can  now  be  known  of  them. 
Among  these,  in  addition  to  those  already  named, 
are  Ealph  Alcock's  Bull  (19),  Allison's  Gray  Bull 
(26),  J.  Brown's  White  Bull  (98),  Hollon's  Bull 
(313),  Jolly's  Bull  (337),  Kitt  (357),  Masterman's 
Bull  (422),  Paddock's  Bull  (477),  William  Eobson's 
Bull  (538),  Sir  James  Pennyman's  Bull  (601),  Jacob 
Smith's  Bull  (508),  T.  Smith's  Bull  (609),  Snow- 
don's  Bull  (612),  sire  of  Hubback  (319);  Studley 
White  Bull  (627),  got  by  Studley  Bull  (626) ;  Wais- 
tell's  Bull  (669),  the  same  as  Eobson's  Bull  (558); 
and  Walker's  Bull  (670),  the  same  as  Masterman's 
Bull  (422),  by  Studley  Bull  (626). 

Of  the  cows  contemporary  with  the  bulls  we  have 
named  few,  if  any,  are  recorded  in  either  the  first 
or  subsequent  volumes.  We  can,  therefore,  only 
infer  that  the  cows  were  equally  as  well  and  care- 
fully bred  as  the  bulls.  Cattle  fairs  (not  shows  in 
the  sense  of  our  modern  exhibitions),  where  beasts 
were  taken  to  market  for  sale,  were  then,  as  now. 


28  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

common  in  England,  and  probably  many  well-bred 
COWS  and  heifers  were  brought  there  for  sale  by 
their  breeders  and  owners.  These  were  doubtless 
taken  by  breeders  of  good  cattle  when  the  blood  and 
quality  were  considered  satisfactory  and  bred  to  the 
best  bulls.  From  such  market  cows  descended  the 
more  immediate  ancestors  of  many  celebrated  Short- 
horns. It  is  no  disparagement  to  those  nameless 
cows  that  such  is  the  fact,  as  very  few  pedigrees  can 
now  be  traced  by  name  on  the  female  side  beyond 
the  year  1780,  and  but  comparatively  few  beyond 
the  year  1800. 

The  earliest  recorded  pedigree  in  the  female  line 
known  to  Short-horn  records  is  that  which  has  long 
been  referred  to  in  England  and  America  as  the 
Princess  family,  tracing  to  the  cow  Tripes,  bought 
by  Thomas  Hall  in  1760. 


CHAPTER  11 
DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  IMPEOVED  TYPE 

The  attention  given  by  the  sturdy  tenantry  of  the 
Teeswater  country  to  the  production  of  a  superior 
grade  of  beef  at  this  early  date,  as  indicated  by  the 
roster  of  names  set  forth  in  the  precediug  chapter, 
was  the  response  of  the  farmers  of  that  district  to 
the  demands  of  Anglo-Saxon  taste.  On  the  opposite 
or  continental  shore  of  the  German  Ocean  dairy 
products  were  esteemed  an  especial  delicacy;  and  so 
the  low  countries  gradually  became  the  home  of. 
what  subsequently  developed  into  the  Holstein- 
Friesian  bre'ed.  But  the  fox-hunting  Yorkshire 
''squires"  and  the  hon  vivants  of  ''merrie  England" 
generally,  demanded  something'more  substantial  at 
their  banquet  boards.  Eich  ''barons"  of  well-mar- 
bled beef  appealed  particularly  to  the  palates  of  the 
hearty  Britons,  and  right  royally  did  the  stock- 
growers  of  the  Island  meet  the  call.  Widespread, 
interest  in  the  breeding  of  fine  cattle  developed.  At 
Darlington,  Durham  Yarm  and  other  central  points 
market  fairs,  the  forerunners  of  our  modern  shows, 
had  begun  to  attract  all  the  progressive  farmers, 
feeders  and  graziers  of  the  country-side  both  far 
and  near.  Each  of  those  who  took  pride  in  cattle 
vied  with  the  other  in  the  exhibition  of  good  sped- 


30  A    IIISTOKV    OF   SHOKT-llOliX    CATTLE 

mens  of  the  Teeswater  type;  and  we  can  easily 
imagine  with  what  absorbing  interest  these  breed- 
builders  compared  the  relative  merits  of  their  stock 
and  with  what  satisfaction  they  noted  the  progress 
being  made.  Herd  books  were  not  in  existence. 
Blood  lines  were  known  only  by  word  of  mouth  or 
sundry  traditions;  but  they  were  a  superior  class  of 
men,  these  pioneers  in  the  study  of  the  laws  of 
heredity  as  applied  to  animal  life,  and  their  local 
fairs  were  at  once  a  forum  and  a  market-place. 
Short-horn  '^ parliaments,"  far-reaching  in  their  in- 
fluence, assembled  upon  these  occasions,  frequently 
with  some  favorite  bull  or  heifer  as  the  storm  center 
of  debate.  Then,  as  now,  men  differed  as  to  the  form 
of  animals  and  methods  of  breeding  to  be  pursued. 
There  were  few  if  any  servile  imitators.  There  was 
no  established  type  or  fashion  to  rule  the  hour.  It 
was  the  formative  stage  in  the  evolution  of  the 
Short-horn  as  known  to  the  succeeding  generation, 
and  each  individual  sought  results  largely  after  the 
dictates  of  his  own  personal  judgment.  Would  that 
some  of  this  same  independence  of  thought  and 
action  might  be  brought  to  bear  in  the  settlement  of 
problems  facing  those  who  are  endeavoring  to  per- 
petuate Short-horn  characteristics  at  the  present 
time! 

Faults  of  the  old  Teeswater  stock. — The  Short- 
horn of  that  day  was  not  only  lacking  in  uniformity 
in  some  essential  points  but  as  a  breed  possessed 
serious  faults  calling  for  radical  treatment.     Pos- 


DEVELOPMENT   OF   THE   IMPROVED   TYPE  31 

sibly  as  accurate  a  statement  as  lias  been  handed 
down  bearing  upon  the  character  of  the  old  Tees- 
water  stock,  which  formed  the  basis  of  'Hhe  im- 
proved Short-horn,"  is  that  of  William  Carr,  the 
historian  of  the  afterward-celebrated  herds  of  the 
Messrs.  Booth.  He  says  that  the  best  specimens  of 
the  breed  at  that  time  were  ' '  generally  wide-backed, 
well-framed  cows,  deep  in  their  fore  quarters,  soft 
and  mellow  in  their  hair  and  '  handling '  and  possess- 
ing, with  average  milking  qualities,  a  remarkable 
disposition  to  fatten.  Their  horns  were  rather 
longer  than  those  of  their  descendants  of  the  present 
day  and  inclining  upward.  The  defects  were  those 
of  an  undue  prominence  of  the  hip  and  shoulder 
point,  a  want  of  length  in  the  hind  quarters,  of 
width  in  the  floor  of  the  chest,  of  fullness  generally 
before  and  behind  the  shoulders,  as  well  as  of  flesh 
upon  the  shoulder  itself.  They  had  a  somewhat  dis- 
proportionate abdomen,  were  too  long  in  the  legs 
and  showed  a  want  of  substance,  indicative  of  deli- 
cacy, in  the  hide.  They  failed  also  in  the  essential 
requisite  of  taking  on  their  flesh  evenly  and  firmly 
over  the  whole  frame,  which  frequently  gave  them 
an  unlevel  appearance.  There  was,  moreover,  a  gen- 
eral want  of  compactness  in  their  conformation. ' ' 

The  Bakewell  Experiments. — Eobert  Bakewell  of 
Dishley,  a  Leicestershire  farmer,  worked  out  about 
this  period  a  system  of  stock-breeding  that  was  des- 
tined to  play  Henceforth  a  prominent  part,  not  only 
in  the  development  of  the  Short-horn  but  in  the 


32  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HOEX    CATTLE 

evolution  of  nearly  all  our  other  improved  breeds 
as  well.  Whatever  may  have  been  the  practice  of 
the  ancients  in  respect  to  the  coupling  of  animals 
closely  related  it  remained  for  Bakewell  to  demon- 
strate to  the  stock-breeders  of  the  last  century  that 
in  the  concentration  of  the  blood  of  animals  possess- 
ing desired  characteristics  a  method  was  provided 
whereby  results  could  be  quickly  and  definitely 
attained.  This  idea  was  diametrically  opposed  to 
the  principles  and  practice  governing  the  operations 
of  Bakewell 's  contemporaries.  Incestuous  breeding 
of  animals  was  held  in  abhorrence,  and  when  Bake- 
well  began  breeding  long-wooled  sheep,  Lancashire 
Long-horned  cattle  and  cart  horses  from  close  affini- 
ties his  neighbors  gave  him  credit  for  being  some- 
what daft.  He  was  a  man  of  considerable  means  at 
the  beginning  of  his  experiments,  and  brought  more 
or  less  scientific  knowledge  to  bear  upon  his  work. 
His  system  contemplated  first  the  selection  of  foun- 
dation stock  approximating  in  form  and  character 
as  closely  as  possible  the  type  he  sought  to  estab- 
lish. With  these  as  a  basis  their  immediate  de- 
scendants were  interbred  in  such  a  way  as  to  give 
a  strong  concentration  of  the  blood  of  the  original 
selections.  The  idea  was  of  course  the  creation  of 
a  family  likeness  or  type — a  group  of  animals  homo- 
geneous in  blood  and  uniform  in  characteristics. 
Resort  to  fresh  blood  was  only  had  when  an  animal 
was  found  elsewhere  that  possessed  in  marked  de- 
gree as  an  individual  the  particular  points  desired. 


DEVELOPMENT    OF   THE    IMPROVED   TYPE  33 

The  plan  soon  began  to  reveal  marvelous  results, 
and  orders  for  breeding  stock  began  to  come  from 
all  parts  of  the  island.  King  George  III  himself 
made  personal  inquiries  as  to  "the  new  discovery" 
in  stock-breeding,  and  about  the  time  the  early 
Short-horn  breeders  became  specially  interested  in 
their  work  the  Bakewell  system  was  arousing  much 
curiosity,  even  among  those  conservatives  who  had 
stoutly  opposed  the  theory. 

Bakewell  did  not  use  Short-horns  in  his  experi- 
ments. He  kept  a  few  of  the  old  sort,  it  is  said, 
merely  to  show  by  contrast  the  superiority  of  his 
new  breed  of  Long-horns.  While  he  achieved  a  per- 
manent success  with  his  sheep  the  Long-horns  were 
not  destined  to  general  popularity.  The  method  em- 
ployed in  fixing  the  type,  however,  was  soon  seized 
upon  by  some  of  the  younger  elements  in  the  Short- 
horn breeding  ranks,  and  with  wonderful  effect,  as 
we  will  now  proceed  to  note. 

Ketton  and  Barmpton. — About  three  miles  north- 
east of  Darlington,  in  the  county  of  Durham,  over- 
looking a  little  stream  that  flows  into  the  Tees  at 
Croft,  is  the  farm  of  Barmpton,  and  about  a  mile 
beyond  is  Ketton.  L^pon  these  two  farms  the  modern 
Short-horn  may  be  said  to  have  had  its  origin. 
Charles  Colling,  Sr,,  father  of  Charles  and  Eobert, 
the  first  great  improvers  of  the  breed,  had  laid  the 
foundation  for  a  Short-horn  herd  at  Ketton  Farm  by 
the  purchase  of  a  cow  called  Cherry  at  Yarm  Fair, 
but  finding  farming  unprofitable  at  this  time  he  gave 


34  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-IIORX    CATTLE 

Up  the  property  to  his  son  Charles.  The  brothers 
set  about  breeding  Short-horns  at  a  time  when 
values  of  farm  products  in  England  were  much  de- 
pressed. The  American  Revolution  had  just  been 
terminated,  and,  in  common  with  all  other  farm 
property  in  Great  Britain,  cattle  were  still  feeling 
the  demoralizing  effects  of  war. 

The  original  Duchess  cow. — Charles  Colling  had 
heard  of  Bakewell  and  his  work,  and  in  1783  made 
a  prolonged  study,  at  Dishley,  of  the  theory  and 
practice  of  in-and-in  or  "close''  breeding.  In  June 
of  the  following  year  he  bought  in  Darlington  mar- 
ket a  cow  w^hicli  he  named  Duchess  that  gave  rise  to 
the  family  that  afterwards  became  the  subject  of 
the  wildest  cattle  speculation  known  in  all  the  annals 
of  English  or  American  agriculture.  She  was 
bought  from  Thomas  Appleby,  a  tenant  farmer  on 
the  Stanw^ick  estate  of  Sir  Hugh  Smithson,  after- 
w^ards  created  Duke  of  Northumberland.  As  already 
stated,  the  Stanwick  herds  had  been  celebrated 
locally  from  a  very  ancient  period.  The  primal 
Duchess  w^as  described  as  "a  massive,  short-legged 
animal  of  a  beautiful  yellow-red  flecked  color;  her 
breast  w^as  near  the  ground  and  her  back  wide.  She 
w^as,  too,  a  great  grower.  Mr.  Colling  considered 
her  handling  very  superior,  and  no  one  was  a  better 
judge.  He  even  w^ent  so  far  as  to  say  that  he  con- 
sidered her  the  best  cow  he  ever  had  or  ever  saw, 
and  confessed  that  he  could  never  breed  as  good  a 
one  from  her,  even  from  his  best  bulls,  which  im- 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    IMPROVED    TYPE  35 

proved  all  his  other  cattle. '  ^  This  fine  cow  cost  but 
thirteen  pounds  sterling.  About  the  same  date 
Charles  Colling  bought  a  cow  named  Daisy  said  to 
have  been  descended  from  Masterman's  Bull  and 
belonging  to  a  family  of  cows  noted  for  their  milk- 
ing properties.  Moreover,  it  was  said  that  she  was 
^'very  neat  in  shape  and  ver^^  inclinable  to  make 
fat.''^ 

''The  Beautiful  Lady  Maynard. "— In  1786  Gabriel 
Thornton,  who  had  lived  with  Mr.  Maynard  of  Ery- 
holme  as  bailiff  for  some  ten  years,  entered  Charles 
Colling 's  service.  The  quality  of  the  Eryholme  cat- 
tle naturally  came  under  consideration,  and  in  Sep- 
tember of  that  year  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  Colling 
rode  over  to  Mr.  Maynard 's  to  inspect  the  herd.* 
Their  attention  was  at  once  claimed  by  a  handsome 
seven-year-old  cow  then  called  Favorite  ^'that  Miss 
Maynard  was  milking.''  This  cow  was  a  roan  pos- 
sessing the  long  horns  of  the  old  Teeswater  type  and 
came  from  a  well-established  tribe.  She  was  bought 
for  twenty-eight  guineas,  and  Mr.  Colling  agreed 
also  to  take  her  heifer  calf — that  received  the  name 
of  Young  Strawberry  and  was  sired  by  Dalton  Duke 
(188) — at  ten  guineas.  At  the  time  of  this  purchase 
the  cow  was  again  in  calf  to  Dalton  Duke  and  gave 
birth  to  a  bull  to  that  service  at  Ketton  in  1787.  The 
name  of  this  cow,  the  most  celebrated  of  all  the  early 


*It  is  said  that  Mrs.  Colling  was  quite  as  much  interested  in  cattle- 
breeding  as  her  hvisband,  and  having  no  children  she  had  leisure  to  in- 
dulge her  love  for  the  stock. 


36  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORX   CATTLE 

matrons  of  the  breed,  was  changed  by  Mr.  Colling 
to  Lady  Maynard.  She  became  the  ancestress  of 
several  famous  families  and  of  the  bulls  that  fairly 
created  "the  improved  Short-horn.'^ 

The  Bull  Hubback.— While  Charles  Colling  was 
making  these  purchases  of  foundation  stock  his 
brother  Robert  was  not  idle.  The  author  of  one  of 
the  latest  English  contributions  to  Short-horn  liter- 
ature* asserts  that  in  Duchess,  Cherry,  Daisy  and 
Lady  Maynard  Charles  Colling  was  possessed  of 
"the  four  best  short-horned  cows  in  existence." 
Eobert  Colling  had  bought  with  judgment  from  such 
good  herds  as  those  of  Messrs.  Milbank,  Hill,  Wat- 
son, Wright,  Sir  William  St.  Quintin  and  Best,  all 
of  whom  were  known  to  possess  fine  cattle,  and  in 
the  case  of  the  selection  and  use  of  the  celebrated 
bull  Hubback  Eobert  seems  to  have  shown  rather 
more  discernment  than  Charles.  There  is  no  gain- 
saying the  far-reaching  influence  of  the  blood  of  this 
bull  as  a  factor  in  the  improvement  of  the  breed. 
Indeed  some  credit  him  with  being  the  one  real  foun- 
tain head  of  modern  Short-horn  excellence.  The  tes- 
timony of  Thomas  Bates  (one  of  the  most  dis- 
tinguished of  all  those  who  followed  Colling,  and  of 
whom  we  shall  speak  more  at  length  later  on)  was 
particularly  radical  upon  this  proposition.    He  said: 

"It  was  the  opinion  of  all  good  judges  in  my  early  days  that 
had  it  not  been  for  the  bull  Hubback  and  his  descendants  the 
old  valuable  breed  of .  Short-horns  would  have  been  entirely 
lost,  and  that  where  Hubback's  blood  was  wanting  they  had  no 

*Cadwallader  John  Bates  of  Langley  Castle,  Northumberland. 


DEVELOPMEXT    OF   THE    IMPR0\T:D    TYPE  37 

real  merit,  and  no  stock  ought  to  have  been  put  in  any  herd 
book  of  Short-horns  which  had  not  Hubback's  blood  in  their 
veins.  Had  this  been  done,  then  the  Herd  Book  of  Short-horns 
would  have  been  a  valuable  record;  as  it  is,  it  is  undeserving 
of  notice,  and  ought  no  longer  to  be  continued  as  a  book  of  ref- 
erence, as  ninety-nine  animals  out  of  a  hundred  in  Coates'  Herd 
Book  should  never  have  been  entered  there." 

Mr.  Bates  may  be  called  a  prejudiced  witness.  He 
was  a  man  of  very  decided  convictions ;  dogmatic  to 
the  last  degree.  .  While  it  is  not  probable  that  Hub- 
back  held,  Atlas-like,  in  his  day  the  whole  future  of 
the  breed  upon  his  shoulders  there  is  no  doubt  that 
he  imparted  a  quality  and  refinement  of  character 
that  had  been  comparatively  rare  prior  to  his  ap- 
pearance. 

Short-horn  historj^  abounds  in  cases  where  out- 
standing merit  has  failed  of  adequate  appreciation, 
but  the  story  of  Hubback,  summarized  below,  prob- 
ably surpasses  all  others  of  its  class.*   He  was  thus 


*John  Hunter,  the  breeder  of  Hubback,  was  a  brick -layer  and  lived 
at  Hurworth.  He  had  once  been  a  tenant  farmer  and  bred  Short- 
horn cattle,  which,  when  leaving  his  farm  to  live  at  Hurworth,  he  sold 
all  off,  excepting  one  choice  little  cow  he  took  with  him,  and  as  he  had 
no  pasture  of  his  own  for  her  to  graze  in  she  ran  in  the  lanes  of  the 
town.  While  there  she  was  put  to  "George  Snowdon's  Bull,"  also  in 
Hurworth.  From  him  the  cow  dropped  a  bull  calf.  Soon  afterward 
the  cow  and  calf  were  driven  to  Darlington  market  and  there  sold  to 
a  Mr.  Bassnett,  a  timber  merchant.  Bassnett  retained  the  cow  but 
sold  the  calf  to  a  blacksmith  at  Hornby,  five  miles  out  from  Darling- 
ton. The  dam  of  the  calf  taking  on  flesh  readilv  would  not  again 
breed  and  after  some  months  was  fattened  and  slaughtered.  Growing 
to  a  useful  age,  the  young  bull  in  1783  was  found,  at  six  years  old,  in 
the  hands  of  a  Mr,  Fawcett,  living  at  Haughton  Hill,  not  far  from 
Darlington. 

Mr.  Wright  (a  noted  Short-horn  breeder)  says  that  Charles  Colling, 
going  into  Darlington  market  weekly,  used  to  notice  some  excellent 
veal,  and  upon  inquiry  ascertained  that  the  calves  were  got  by  a  bull 
belonging  to  Mr.  Fawcett  of  Haughton  Hill.  This  bull,  then  known  as 
Fawcett's  Bull,  and  some  years  afterwards  called  Hubback,  was  at  the 
time  serving  cows  at  a  shilling  each  (about  twentv-five  cents).  Charles 
Colling,  however,  as  the  merits  of  the  beast  were  talked  over  between 
himself  and  others,  did  not  appear  particularlv  impressed  with  them 
But  Robert  Colling  and  his  neighbor,  Mr.  Waistell  of  Ali-hill,  who  had 
also  seen  the  bull,  thought  better  of  him  and  more  accurately  measured 


38  A   HISTORY   OF   CHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

described  by  Coates:  "Head  good,  horns  small  and 
fine,  neck  fine,  breast  well  formed  and  fine  to  the 
touch,  shoulders  rather  upright,  girth  good,  loins, 
belly  and  sides  fair,  rump  and  hips  extraordinary, 
flank  and  twist  wonderful."  He  was  a  yellow-red 
with  some  white,  calved  in  1777.  He  was  got  by 
Snowdon's  Bull  (612),  he  by  WaistelPs  Bull  (558), 
he  by  Masterman's  Bull  (422),  son  of  Studley  Bull 
(626).  His  dam  was  out  of  a  cow  bred  by  Mr.  Ste- 
phenson of  Ketton  "from  a  tribe  in  his  possession 
forty  years. ' '  It  was  at  one  time  alleged  that  there 
was  Kyloe  (West  Highland)  blood  in  Hubback's 
veins  on  his  dam's  side,  but  this  is  not  substantiated. 
Robert  Colling  used  Hubback  for  a  time  and  then 
sold  him  to  his  brother  Charles,  who  kept  him  in 
service  two  seasons,  after  which  he  was  sold,  at  ten 
years  of  age,  to  Mr.  Hubback,  in  whose  hands  he 
remained  up  to  his  death  at  the  age  of  fourteen 
years.  It  appears  that  neither  Waistell  nor  either 
of  the  Collings  truly  appreciated  the  merits  of  Hub- 
back  until  after  they  had  parted  with  him  and  saw 
the  excellence  of  his  stock  as  they  grew  up  and 
developed.    He  was  a  small  bull — his  dam  was  small 


his  value.  The  two,  soon  after  Good  Friday,  in  April,  1783.  bought  him 
of  Mr.  Fawcett  for  ten  guineas  (about  $50)  and  took  him  home,  where 
he  was  jointlv  owned  and  used  to  their  separate  herds.  Colling  having 
seventeen  and  Waistell  eleven  cows  served  by  him  during  the  season. 
In  the  following  November  (1783)  Charles  Colling,  having  changed  his 
opinion  of  the  merits  of  the  bull,  offered  his  owners  eight  guineas 
(about  $40)    for  him,  and  they  sold  him.  ^       ,      .      v,. 

Charles  Colling  kept  the  bull  two  years,  using  him  freely  in  his 
herd,  and  then  sold  him  late  in  1785.  at  ten  years  old,  to  a  Mr.  Hub- 
back  at  North  Seton.  in  Northumberland.  The  bull  had  no  name  when 
Colling  sold  him.  Mr.  Hubback  u.'^ed  him  (the  bull  then  being  called 
riubback's  Bull)  until  the  year  1793.  when  he  was  fourteen  years  old. 
and  he  was  vigorous  to  the  last. 


DEVELOPMEXT    OF    THE    IMPROVED    TYPE  39 

for  a  Short-liorn,  but  a  very  handsome  cow,  of  fine 
symmetry,  with  a  nice  touch  and  fine,  long  mossy 
hair.  All  these  choice  qualities  Hubback  took  from 
her.  As  size  was  a  meritorious  point  in  Short-horns 
at  that  time  it  is  highly  probable  that  the  Collings 
discarded  him  for  that  deficiency  more  than  any 
other.  Yet  the  subsequent  reputation  of  Hubback 
among  the  breeders  was  higher  than  that  of  any 
other  bull  of  his  time,  and  it  was  considered  a  great 
merit  in  any  Short-horn  which  could  trace  its  pedi- 
gree back  into  his  blood,  which  no  doubt  could  be 
easily  done,  as  he  was,  both  before  and  after  the 
Collings  owned  him,  open  to  the  public  at  a  cheap 
rate  of  service.  It  is  said  that  his  stock  had  capa- 
cious chests,  prominent  bosoms,  thick,  mossy  coats, 
mellow  skin,  with  a  great  deal  of  fine  flesh  spread 
evenly  over  the  whole  carcass.  Mr.  Bates  stated 
that  Hubback  had  ^ '  clean,  waxy  horns,  mild,  bright 
eyes,  a  pleasing  countenance,  and  was  one  of  the 
most  remarkably  quick  feeders  ever  known.  He  re- 
tained his  soft  and  downy  coat  long  into  the  summer. 
His  handling  was  superior  to  that  of  any  bull  of 
the  day.'^ 

Foljambe  and  inbreeding. — Among  other  good 
heifers  left  at  Ketton  by  Hubback  was  one  called 
Haughton,  said  to  have  been  ''fine  and  neat.''  Mr. 
Colling  had  apparently  not  a  high  enough  opinion 
of  Hubback  at  that  time,  however,  to  go  to  the  ex- 
treme of  Bakeweirs  system  and  breed  her  back  to 
her  sire,  for  he  sent  her  to  be  bred  to  Richard  Bar- 


40  A  HISTOKY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

ker's  Bull  (52),  ''a  large,  well-shaped,  but  coarse, 
wiry-haired  beast  with  a  black  nose."  The  produce 
was  the  noted  bull  Foljambe  (263),  a  white  with  a 
few  red  spots,  that  seems  to  have  combined  some 
of  the  good  points  of  both  sire  and  dam.  He  was  a 
big,  wide-backed,  "thick  beast  of  great  substance," 
inheriting  scale  and  constitution  from  his  sire  and 
some  of  Hubback's  good  handling  quality  from  his 
dam.  Although  sold  as  a  young  bull  at  fifty  guineas 
Foljambe  was  used  upon  some  of  Colling 's  best  cows, 
among  others  the  rich  red  roan  Lady  Maynard,  the 
produce  being  a  heifer  called  Phoenix.  To  the  cover 
of  Foljambe  Lady  Maynard 's  Dalton  Duke  heifer 
Young  Strawberry  dropped  the  bull  Bolingbroke 
(86),  called  by  Coates  the  best  bull  he  ever  saw.  It 
is  at  this  point  that  the  Bakewell  system  was  first 
tried.  The  Lady  Maynard  heifer  Phoenix  (by  Fol- 
jambe) was  bred  to  the  Young  Strawbeny  (daugh- 
ter of  Lady  Maynard)  bull  Bolingbroke  (by  Fol- 
jambe), the  produce  of  this  close  breeding  being  the 
celebrated  bull  Favorite  (252).  It  is  claimed  by  his- 
torians of  the  Bates  herd  that  this  mating  was  not 
directed  as  a  well-matured  scheme.  Phoenix  had 
previously  been  bred  to  Robert  Colling 's  Ben  (70). 
According  to  Bell  the  cow  was  not  bred  back  to  Ben 
again  because  a  coolness  had  arisen  between  the  two 
brothers,  and  was  only  serv^ed  by  Bolingbroke  sim- 
ply in  order  that  "she  might  have  a  calf  of  some 
sort."  This  may  or  may  not  be  true,  but  the  fact 
remains  nevertheless  that  Favorite,  with  his  double 


DEVELOPMENT    OF   THE   IMPROVED    TYPE  41 

infusion  of  the  blood  of  Foljambe  and  Lady  May- 
nard,  represented  the  first  fruit  of  the  application  of 
the  policy  of  in-and-in  breeding  to  Short-horn  cattle. 
Colling  sold  Bolingbroke  when  eight  years  old  to  Mr. 
Jobling  for  seventy  guineas.  Vigorous  to  the  last, 
the  old  bull  was  killed  at  Newcastle  in  1800,  being 
sold  at  one  shilling  per  pound.  It  is  said  that  his 
stock  had,  as  a  rule,  red  bodies  with  some  white  on 
their  faces,  thus  resembling  somewhat  in  their  mark- 
ings the  modern  Hereford. 

Favorite  (252)  an  extraordinary  sire. — This  great- 
est of  all  old-time  sires  was  ' '  a  large,  massive  bull  of 
good  constitution,  with  a  fine,  bold  eye,  remarkably 
good  loins  and  long,  level  hind  quarters.  His  shoul- 
der points  stood  wide  and  were  somewhat  coarse; 
they  protruded  into  the  neck.  His  horns  were  long 
and  strong."  Coates  called  him  ''low  in  the  back.'' 
Waistell  said  he  was  "a  grand  beast  *  *  *  with  a 
good  coat  and  as  good  a  handler  as  ever  was  felt." 
It  is  said  that  he  resembled  his  dam.  Phoenix,  rather 
than  his  sire,  Bolingbroke. 

Favorite  was  a  light  roan,  dropped  in  1793,  and 
died  in  1809.  So  nearly  did  he  meet  Mr.  Colling 's 
view  as  to  what  a  Short-horn  bull  should  be  that  he 
now  began  a  most  extraordinary  course  of  inbreed- 
ing. For  years  the  bull  was  used  indiscriminately 
upon  his  own  offspring,  often  to  the  third  and  in  one 
or  two  instances  to  the  fifth  and  sixth  generations. 
His  get  were  not  only  the  most  celebrated  Short- 
horns of  their  day,  but  his  immediate  descendants 


42  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

constitute  a  large  percentage  of  the  entire  founda- 
tion stock  upon  which  the  herd-book  record  stands. 
He  was  bred  back  to  his  own  dam,  the  produce  being 
a  heifer,  Young  Phoenix.  To  still  farther  test  the 
Bakewell  system  this  heifer  was  then  bred  to  her 
own  sire,  the  issue  of  that  doubly-incestuous  union 
being  the  bull  Comet  (155),  the  pride  of  his  time, 
and  the  first  Short-horn  to  sell  for  $5,000.  The  first 
calf  got  by  Favorite  was  dropped  by  the  Duchess 
cow,  and  the  second  was  a  bull  that  was  afterwards 
steered  and  acquired  celebrity  as 

*'The  Durham  Ox." — It  must  be  borne  in  mind 
that  at  this  time  the  Short-horns  were  a  local  breed 
of  cattle,  confined  chiefly  to  the  counties  of  ancient 
Northumbria,  and  the  best  of  them  were  to  be  found 
in  and  about  the  Valley  of  the  Tees.  The  Collings, 
in  the  exercise  of  their  usual  foresight  and  sagacity, 
determined  to  give  their  cattle  a  wide  reputation 
through  the  kingdom,  and  for  that  purpose  Charles 
prepared  the  Durham  Ox  for  public  exhibition.  As 
this  ox  achieved  a  wide  reputation  and  successfully 
drew  the  merits  of  the  Short-horns  to  the  attention 
of  the  cattle-breeding  public,  although  it  has  been 
frequently  published,  a  full  account  of  him  will  be 
repeated.  He  was  among  the  earliest  calves  got  by 
Favorite  (252),  ''bred  in  the  year  1796,  and  out  of  a 
common  black-and-white  cow,  bought  for  Charles 
Colling  by  John  Simpson,  at  Durham  Fair,  for  £14 
($70). *'  Although  the  dam  of  the  Durham  Ox  was 
said  to  have  been  ''a  common  cow,''  yet  from  the 


DEVELOPMENT    OF   THE    IMPEOVED    TYPE  43 

price  which  Colling  paid  for  her,  and  the  marvelous 
excellence  of  the  steer  descended  from  her,  it  is 
altogether  probable  she  possessed  much  of  the  ' '  com- 
mon'' Short-horn  blood  of  the  vicinity.     Judging 
from  her  color  she  was  probably  not  highly  bred, 
but  it  is  certain  that  she  had  much  quality.     This 
steer  Colling  fed  up   to   his  greatest  flesh-taking 
capacity  until  nearly  five  years  old,  when  he  had 
attained  a  reputed  weight  of  3,024  lbs.    He  was  then 
purchased  to  be  exhibited  by  Mr.  Bulmer  of  Harmby, 
in  February,  1801,  for  £140  ($700).    Balmer  had^a 
traveling  carriage  made  to  cany  him  through  the 
country,  and  after  traveling  and  exhibiting  him  ^ve 
weeks  sold  the  carriage  and  ox  at  Eotherham  to 
John  Day  for  £250  ($1,250).  On  the  14th  day  of  May 
ensuing,   Mr.   Day  could   have   sold   him  for  £525 
($2,625) ;  on  the  13th  day  of  June  for  £1,000  ($5,000), 
and  on  the  8th  of  July  for  £2,000  ($10,000),  but  he 
refused  all  these  offers,  which  were  strong  proofs 
of  the  excellence  of  the  ox,  as  well  as  his  exhibition 
value.    Mr.  Day  traveled  with  him  nearly  six  years 
through  the  principal  parts  of  England  and  Scot- 
land, till  at  Oxford,  on  the  19th  of  February,  the  ox 
dislocated  his  hip  bone,  and  continued  in  that  state 
till  the  15th  of  April,  when  he  was  killed,  and  not- 
withstanding he  must  have  lost  considerable  flesh 
during  these  eight  weeks  of  illness,  yet  his  dead 
weight  was:    Four  quarters,  2,322  lbs.;  tallow,  156 
lbs.;  hide,  142  lbs.;  total,  2,620  lbs.    This  was  at  the 
age  of  eleven  years,  under  all  the  disadvantages  of 


44  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

six  years  traveling  in  a  jolting  carriage  and  eiglit 
weeks  of  painful  lameness.  At  ten  years  old  Mr. 
Day  stated  his  live  weight  to  have  been  nearly 
3,400  lbs. 

^'The  White  Heifer  That  Traveled."— About  the 
year  1806  Eobert  Colling  reared  a  purely-bred  heifer, 
afterward  called  the  "White  Heifer  That  Traveled," 
which  he  sent  out  through  the  principal  agricultural 
counties  for  exhibition.  The  date  of  her  birth  is 
not  given  in  the  first  volume  E.  H.  B.,  where  her 
pedigree  is  recorded.  She  was  also  got  by  Favorite 
(252)  from  a  dam  called  "Favorite  Cow,"  bred  by 
E.  Colling.  The  name  of  "Favorite  Cow's"  sire  is 
not  given.  Her  grandam,  "Yellow  Cow,"  was  by 
Punch  (531),  and  her  great-grandam  was  by  An- 
thony Eeed's  Bull  (538),  and  bred  by  Mr.  Best  of 
Manfield.  The  "White  Heifer"  being  twinned  with 
a  bull,  and  herself  not  breeding,  she  was  fed  up  to 
her  greatest  flesh-taking  capacity  and  extensively 
exhibited.  Her  age  when  slaughtered  is  not  given, 
but  the  account  states  that  her  live  weight  could 
not  have  been  less  than  2,300  lbs.,  and  her  dead 
weight  was  estimated  at  1,820  lbs. 

There  were  other  extraordinary,  large  and  heavy 
cattle  bred  and  fed  by  the  Short-horn  breeders  con- 
temporary with  the  Collings,  whose  recorded  weight 
we  might  give,  but  as  they  all  run  about  the  same 
scale  it  is  not  important  to  record  them  here.  It  is 
sufficient  to  say  that  the  great  reputation  which  the 
Collings  and  their  animals  acquired  was  through  the 


DEVELOPMEXT    OF   THE    IMPEOVED    TYPE  45 

wider  knowledge  wliicli  the  public  abroad  obtained 
of  tliem  by  these  public  exhibitions.  Thus  the  Coi- 
lings  became  conspicuously  known,  and  were  con- 
sidered by  those  not  intimately  acquainted  with  the 
other  breeders  around  them  as,  if  not  the  founders, 
at  least  the  great  improvers  of  the  newly-advertised 
and  meritorious  breed. 

The  ''alloy"  blood.— In  the  year  1791,  after 
Charles  Colling  had  been  ten  years  a  Short-horn 
breeder  and  had  his  choicest  Short-horn  families 
well  established,  one  of  his  neighbors.  Col.  O'Calla- 
ghan,  purchased  two  Scotch  Galloway  hornless 
heifers  and  brought  to  his  farm.  He  agreed  with 
Colling  to  have  the  heifers  served  by  his  bull  Bol- 
ingbroke  {S6),  with  the  understanding  that  if  the 
calves  were  bulls  Colling  was  to  have  them;  if  heif- 
ers, O'Callaghan  was  to  retain  them.  One  of  these 
heifers,  red  in  color,  dropped  a  red-and-white  roan 
bull  calf  in  the  year  1792,  which  immediately  became 
the  property  of  Colling.  The  other  calf  was  a  heifer, 
which  was  kept  by  O'Callaghan.  Colling  had  an 
aged  Short-horn  cow,  ' '  Old  Johanna, ' '  bred  by  him- 
self, of  moderate  quality,  got  by  *^ Lame  Bull''  (358), 
bred  by  Robert  Colling.  That  is  all  which  is  given 
of  her  pedigree,  no  dam  being  mentioned.  Yet  Lame 
Bull  had  two  crosses  of  Hubback  (319)  in  him,  and 
his  great-grandam  was  by  James  Brown's  Red 
Bull  (97),  so  far  giving  him  an  excellent  pedigree. 
Old  Johanna  not  having  bred  a  calf  for  two  years 
was  put  to  this  Son  of  Bolingbroke  (from  the  Gallo- 


46  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOKT-HORX    CATTLE 

way  heifer),  when  a  yearling,  and  he  got  her  in  calf. 
The  produce  was  another  bull  calf,  in  1794,  Grand- 
son of  Bolingbroke  (280),  red  and  white  in  color, 
which  Colling  also  kept,  being  three-fonrths  Short- 
horn and  one-fourth  Galloway  blood.  Colling 's  cow 
Phoenix,  the  dam  of  Favorite  (252),  had  become 
somewhat  aged,  and  not  having  had  a  calf  since  the 
birth  of  Favorite,  although  put  to  good  bulls,  as  a 
last  resort  she  was  coupled  to  this  Grandson  of  Bol- 
ingbroke, when  a  yearling,  in  1795,  and  by  him  she 
had  a  red-and- white  heifer  calf  in  the  year  1796. 
This  calf  Colling  called  "Lady.''  She "^  had  one- 
eighth  part  Galloway  blood.  Proving  a  very  good 
one.  Colling  reared  this  heifer,  and  at  maturity  bred 
her  successively  to  his  bulls  Favorite  (252),  her  half- 
brother;  Cupid  (177),  otherwise  closely  related  to 
her;  and  to  Comet  (155),  still  more  closely  related. 
She  produced  the  heifers  Countess,  one-sixteenth 
Galloway,  by  Cupid;  and  Laura,  also  one-sixteenth 
Galloway,  by  Favorite,  both  of  which  proved  fine 
cows.  Her  bull  calves  were  Washington  (674),  one- 
sixteenth  Galloway,  by  Favorite;  also  Major  (397), 
one-sixteenth;  George  (276),  one-sixteenth;  and 
Sir  Charles  (592),  one-sixteenth  Galloway;  the 
three  last  ones  by  Comet  (155).  The  two  "alloy" 
Inills,  "O'Callaghan's  Son  of  Bolingbroke"  (469), 
and  "Grandson  of  Bolingbroke"  (280),  as  well  as 
the  cows  Lady  and  her  daughters  Countess  and 
Laura  and  some  of  their  descendants,  were  re- 
corded in  Vol.  I,  E.  H.  B.,  many  years  after  Col- 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    IMPROVED    TYPE  47 

ling  had  sold  tliem,  with  their  Galloway  cross  dis- 
tinctly stated. 

Although  very  little  of  this  ])lood  remained  in  the 
descendants  of  these  so-called  "alloy"  cattle  at  the 
time  of  the  Ketton  sale  of  1810 — the  outcross  having 
been  buried  fathoms  deep  by  pure  Short-horn 
blood — there  was  an  effort  subsequently  made  to 
discredit  them,  but  happily  the  controversy  once 
waged  over  them  no  longer  interests  practical 
breeders. 

As  to  Robert  Colling.— In  his  youth  Eobert  had 
been  apprenticed  to  a  grocer,  but  his  health  declin- 
ing he  embraced  farming.  He  had  often  visited  Mr. 
Culley,  a  noted  farmer,  stock-breeder  and  agricul- 
tural writer,  and  took  lessons  from  him  in  farming, 
turnip-growing  and  stock-feeding.  He  had  obtained 
Leicester  sheep  from  Bakewell,  and  for  many  years 
bred  and  sold  them  with  great  success,  simultaneous 
with  his  pursuit  of  cattle-breeding.  His  annual  ram- 
lettings  were  extensive  and  profitable. 

Some  of  his  earliest  stock  he  obtained  from  Mr. 
Milbank  of  Barningham.  They  were  considered  as 
among  the  best  of  the  Teeswater  cattle,  and  noted 
for  their  excellent  grazing  properties.  He  also  se- 
lected the  best  cows  to  be  obtained  from  other  breed- 
ers, and  having  the  bull  Hubback  (319),  as  previ- 
ously stated,  in  the  year  1783,  by  which  he  had  sev- 
enteen cows  served,  it  may  well  be  supposed  that  he 
made  a  ready  and  sure  start  through  the  best  blood 
and  the  best  animals  he  could  obtain  in  the  founda- 


48  A   HISTORY   OF   SIIOET-IIOEX    CATTLE 

tion  of  his  herd.  He  bred  with  skill  and  judgment, 
and  founded  several  different  families,  among  the 
rest  the  Wildair,  the  Red  Rose,  the  Princess,  the 
Bright  Eyes,  and  others,  which  became  in  future 
hands,  as  well  as  his  own,  widely  noted  as  the  basis 
of  superior  herds.  He  also  bred  many  noted  bulls. 
Among  the  earliest  of  them  were  Broken-horn  (95), 
by  Hubback  (319);  Punch  (513),  by  Broken-horn; 
Ben  (70),  and  Twin  Brother  to  Ben  (660),  by  Punch; 
Colling 's  (Robert)  White  Bull  (151),  by  Favorite 
(252);  Marske  (418),  by  Favorite  [his  dam  and 
grandam  also  by  Favorite;  great-grandam  by  Hub- 
back  (319) — that  became  a  very  noted  bull,  useful 
thirteen  years,  and  died  at  fifteen  years  old] ;  North 
Star  (459),  by  Favorite  [and  full  brother  to  the 
''White  Heifer  That  Traveled"];  Phenomenon 
(491),  by  Favorite,  and  Styford  (629)  by  Favorite. 
*'The  American  Cow." — Among  the  cows  bred  by 
Robert  Colling  was  one  which  has  obtained  celeb- 
rity, through  her  descendants,  as  "The  American 
Cow";  and  it  was  a  subject  of  inquiry  for  many 
years,  both  in  England  and  America,  why  a  cow 
so  ancient  in  lineage  should  have  been  called  by  a 
name  so  foreign  to  her  birthplace,  and  after  a  coun- 
try where  the  Short-horns  at  that  time  were  almost 
unknown.  We  first  find  her  name  in  the  pedigree 
of  Red  Rose,  in  first  edition  of  Vol.  I,  p.  457,  E.  H.  B., 
as  follow^s:  ''Red,  calved  in  1811,  bred  by  JMr.  Hus- 
tler, property  of  IVIr.  T.  Bates;  got  by  Yarborough 
(705),  dam   (bred  by  R.  Colling    and    called    The 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    IMPROVED    TYPE  49 

American  Cow)  by  Favorite  (252),  grandam  by 
Punch  (531),  great-grandam  by  Foljambe  (263), 
great-great-grandam  by  Hubback  (319).'' 

In  the  above  pedigree  The  American  Cow  is  orig- 
inally identified.  In  Vol.  II,  p.  497,  first  edition  E. 
H.  B.,  the  same  Red  Rose  is  again  recorded  as  Red 
Rose  1st,  her  dam  being  ''The  American  Cow,''  as 
before.  In  a  conversation  with  the  late  L.  F.  Allen, 
Mr.  John  Thornton  of  London,  who  visited  this 
country  in  the  winter  of  1870-71,  remarked  that  he 
had  never  learned  why  the  American  Cow  was  so 
called,  although  he  had  made  diligent  inquiries  in 
England  for  the  reason. 

The  American  history  of  the  cow,  as  we  have  been 
informed  on  authority  which  we  deem  good,  is  this: 
In  some  year,  not  long  after  1801,  a  son  of  Mr. 
Hustler,  who  was  a  Short-horn  cattle-breeder  in 
Yorkshire,  emigrated  to  New  York,  and  brought 
with  him  some  Short-horn  cattle,  among  which  was 
this  nameless  cow,  or  then  heifer,  afterward  dam  of 
the  Red  Rose  1st,  which  his  father  bought  of  Robert 
Colling.  The  younger  Hustler  went  into  business  in 
New  York  city,  and  put  his  cattle  into  the  adjoining 
county  of  Westchester.  After  a  few  years'  stay  in 
America  he  returned  to  England,  and  not  finding  his 
Short-horns  appreciated  on  this  side  the  ocean  (as 
we  find  no  record  of  them  or  their  produce  in  this 
country)  Mr.  Hustler  took  this  cow  back  with  him, 
as  she  was  a  remarkably  good  beast,  and  put  her 
into  his  father's  herd.    Then,  on  being  put  to  Yar- 


50  A    IIISTUKY    OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

borough,  she  became  the  dam  of  Eed  Rose,  after- 
ward purchased  by  Mr.  Bates,  he  calling  her  Red 
Rose  1st,  which,  in  his  hands,  was  the  ancestress  of 
the  tribe  of  Red  Rose,  from  whom  many  excellent 
animals  have  descended.  The  only  English  account 
we  have  of  The  American  Cow,  aside  from  her  pedi- 
gree, which  we  have  quoted,  is  that  ''she  was  sent 
to  America,  and  taken  back  to  England." 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  follow  Robert  Colling 
through  the  various  particulars  of  his  breeding.  The 
brothers  bred  much  in  concert,  followed  the  same 
system  of  blood  concentration,  and  in  fact  were  al- 
most identical  in  their  practice.  To  sum  up  the 
results  of  their  joint  action,  it  may  be  said  that  they, 
in  the  midst  of  older  and  more  experienced  breeders, 
combated  the  rooted  prejudices  of  the  day,  and 
through  the  Bakewell  system  established  a  new 
school  of  breeding. 

The  Ketton  Dispersion. — Enjoying  the  prestige  of 
success  and  reputation,  in  the  month  of  October, 
1810,  Charles  Colling  made  a  public  sale  of  his  herd 
at  Ketton  and  retired  from  breeding.  It  was  then 
the  heydey  of  agricultural  prosperity  in  the  British 
Islands.  England  had  engaged  in  the  continental 
wars  of  Europe  against  the  first  Napoleon;  specie 
payments  had  been  many  years  suspended  by  her 
banks  and  at  the  national  treasury;  prices  of  agricul- 
tural produce  were  highly  inflated,  and  so  far  as 
pounds,  shillings  and  pence  then  rated — probably 
quite  double  to  what  they  were  ten  years  afterward 


DEVELOPMENT    OF   THE    IMPROVED    TYPE  51 

— the  Slims  wliieli  were  Ijid  for  his  cattle  were  both 
unprecedented  and  enormous.  The  sale  was  well 
advertised,  and  its  results  marked  an  era  in  Short- 
horn history.  Twenty-nine  cows  and  heifers  fetched 
£4,066  13s.,  an  average  of  £140  4s.  7d.;  eighteen  bulls 
and  bull  calves  brought  £3,049  4s.,  an  average  of 
£169  8s.,  the  forty-seven  head  selling  for  £7,115  17s., 
an  average  of  £151  8s.  Three-fourths  of  the  cattle 
were  got  by  the  bulls  Favorite  (252)  and  his  son 
Comet  (155),  and  the  remaining  fourth  by  bulls  of 
their  get.  Furthermore,  a  large  proportion  of  the 
cows  were  in  calf  to  Comet.  This  bull  brought  1,000 
guineas.  The  highest-priced  female  was  one  of  his 
daughters,  the  three-year-old  Lily,  that  brought  410 
guineas.  The  ''alloy"  cow  Countess,  ''undoubtedly 
the  finest  cow  in  the  sale,"  brought  400  guineas.* 

The  Barmpton  Sales. — Eight  years  after  the  sale 
of  the  Ketton  herd  Eobert  Colling,  in  the  year  1818, 
made  a  partial  sale  of  his  stock,  and  in  1820  the 
closing  sale,  which  finished  his  career  as  a  breeder. 


*Wc  quote  relative  to  the  sale  from  Thornton's  Circular  of  April, 
1869,  as  follows: 

"The  sale  was  on  a  fine  October  day,  and  early  in  the  morning 
people  rode  and  drove  to  Ketton,  leaving  their  horses  and  rigs  at  the 
adjoining  farms  ;  all  the  straw-yards  were  full  and  the  throng  at  the 
sale  immense  ;  everything  was  eaten  up,  so  that  bread  had  to  be  sent 
for  into  Darlington.  Mr.  Kingston,  the  auctioneer,  sold  the  cattle  by 
the  sand-glass,  and  in  accordance  with  the  custom  of  the  time  received 
about  twenty-five  guineas  for  the  business,  the  work  of  the  sale  fall- 
ing more  on  the  owner  than  the  auctioneer.  The  cattle  were  not  fed 
up  for  the  sale,  but  kept  naturally,  and  sold  when  they  were  in  great 
condition  from  natural  keep. 

"The  Ketton  stock  at  this  time  is  described  by  Mr.  Wright  as  of 
great  size  and  substance,  with  fine,  long  hind  quarters ;  the  space 
from  the  hip  to  the  rib  was  long  and  counteracted  by  a  broad  back 
and  high,  round  ribs.  The  shoulders  of  the  males  were  upright,  and 
the  knuckles,   or   shoulder   points-   large   and   coarse — a   defect   not   so 


52  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

At  the  time  of  his  first  sale,  in  1818,  he  had  been 
before  the  public  as  a  leading  and  prominent  breeder 
thirty-eight  years,  and  at  his  final  sale,  in  1820, 

apparent  in  the  females.  The  general  contour,  or  side  view,  was 
stately  and  imposing,  but  their  great  superiority  consisted  in  their  ex- 
traordinary inclination  to  fatten.  On  handling  the  skin  was  loose  and 
pliant,  and  the  feel  under  it  remarkably  mellow  and  kind.  The  color 
was  greatly  varied,  red,  red-and-white,  roan,  and  also  white  being 
found  in  the  same  kindred,  while  in  all  cases  of  close  affinity  there 
was  a  tendency  to  white,  with  red  ears  and  spots. 

"Many  of  the  cows  were  excellent  milkers,  giving  twelve  full  quarts 
at  a  meal.  Cherry,  the  first  lot,  was  one  of  them,  a  plain  cow  in  color, 
red  and  a  little  white,  whose  descendants  are  now  in  existence  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Stockton-on-Tees  and  Malton,  Yorks.  Countess  [alloy] 
was  undoubtedly  the  finest  cow  in  the  sale,  but  she  wanted  hair  and 
milk  ;  in  character  she  came  nearest  to  :\Iascn's  style,  and  her  back 
and  belly  formed  parallel  lines.  She  produced  three  heifers  and  the 
bull  Constellation  (163),  in  Maj.  Rudd's  possession,  and  died  in  1816. 
Selina  [alloy]  had  the  style  of  her  dam.  Countess,  but  not  her  magnifi- 
cent appearance  ;  she  bred  ten  calves  at  Denton  Park,  and  her  descend- 
ants in  the  ninth  and  tenth  generations  are  still  in  existence  at 
Siddington,  Gloucestershire.  Lady  lacked  elegance,  but  had  great 
substance  and  good  hair  ;  in  color  she  was  red-and-white. 

"Lily,  pure  bred,  sold  to  JNIaj.  Rudd  for  400  guineas  ($2,152),  a 
splendid  white  cow,  was  the  higliest-priced  female,  but  did  nothing  in 
Maj.  Rudd's  possession.  Daisy,  a  small  roan  cow,  but  a  grand  milker, 
was  most  fruitful  with  Maj.  Bower  ;  her  dam.  Old  Daisy,  who  gave 
thirty-two  quarts  of  milk  a  day,  had  been  sold  to  Mr.  Hustler,  who 
bred  Fairy  from  her,  the  ancestress  of  Rev.  J.  D.  Jefferson's  Lady 
Abbesses.  This  Fairy  was  afterward  bought  by  Mr.  Bates,  who 
reckoned  her  to  be  the  finest  specimen  of  quality  imaginable  ;  he  had 
long,  thick,  downy  coat,  with  a  superb  flesh  underneath,  which  to  a 
superficial  observer  appeared  hard,  the  cow  being  in  a  rapidly  advanc- 
ing condition.  Cory  [alloy],  out  of  the  400-guineas  cow  Countess,  had  a 
pi-etty  red  frame,  but  ugly  cock  horns,  and  was  resold  to  Maj.  Bower, 
who  bred  ten  calves  from  her.  Magdalene  was  a  little  red  cow,  w^ith 
a  large  bag  and  belly  and  short  quarters  ;  although  the  dam  of  the 
celebrated  red-and-white  bull  Blyth  Comet  (85),  her  only  produce 
besides  Ossian  (476),  she  was  not  first  rate,  and  wanted  hair,  yet 
when  dry  had  a  great  propensity  to  feed. 

"The  onlv  cow  that  Charles  Colling  reserved  was  Magdalene  [by 
Comet,  dam 'by  Cupid],  a  great  favorite  and  an  extraordinary  milker, 
giving  sixteen  quarts  txvice  a  day.  Mr.  Whitaker  prevailed  upon 
Charles  Colling  to  let  him  have  her ;  the  numerous  and  well-known 
'Chaff'  tribe  is  descended  from  this  cow. 

"Comet  (155)  was  the  great  attraction  of  the  sale,  and  his  close 
breeding  [bv  Favorite  (252),  dam  by  Favorite  (252),  out  of  Favorite's 
(252)  dam],  did  not  detract  from  his  value  or  appearance.  Charles 
Colling  declared  him  to  be  the  best  bull  he  ever  bred  or  saw.  He  wa^ 
a  beautiful  light  roan,  dark  [red]  neck  with  a  fine  masculine  head, 
broad  and  deep  breast,  shoulders  well  laid  back,  crops  and  loins  good, 
hind  quarters  long,  straight,  and  well  packed,  thighs  thick,  twist  full 
and  well  let  down,  with  nice  straight  hocks  and  hind  legs.  He  had 
fair-sized  horns,  ears  large  and  hairy,  and  a  grandevu'  of  style  and 
carriage  that  was  indescribable.  It  was  admitted  that  no  bull  so  good 
had  ever  before  been  seen,  and  eminent  breeders  have  since  said  that 
they  never  again  saw  his  equal.     In  one  point,  however,  opinions  dif- 


DEVELOPMENT    OF   THE    IMPROVED    TYPE  53 

forty  years.  During  all  that  time,  like  his  brother 
Charles,  he  had  been  a  large  seller  of  stock  as  well 
as  a  considerable  purchaser.  He  sold  his  surplus 
animals  to  other  breeders,  through  which  the  blood 

Z7itronrfJ2'  °^J'^^V^^  '^  ^'^i  shoulders  as  not  being  good,  or  a  little 
evert  nfhl  f  knuckles  ;  others  asserted  that  he  was  there,  as  in 

apparent^   d^.T''  f  "^'J'l"'     '^^^  ""^^'  shoulder  was  slightly  shrank  in. 

at  loo^niZ  rX  ^-  ^^^"^  brought  into  the  ring  he  was  put  up 
land     bfd    S^n  ""'  Newton,  a  small  dairyman  at  Bishop  Auck- 

asked  whv  h.  h";f  ^'^  ^?^  '^^'■-  -^^^^  ^^'^^^^^'  standing  beside  him. 
while  tliin^  thP  I,  ^°  ^^^^  '''  "°^'"  ^'  ^  ^°°*1  P^^fit''  ^aid  he,  and 
Sutton  o^Aiiril^^vf'  ™  '"''^f  ^'^^^  ^"^^^^^  ($5,000).  Mr.  John 
for  Wm  is  WPH  «;  ^  ^^'^^."''^^^^  ^°  ^^^  ^°  "'^  "^^^'  ^^^  I'^OO  guineas 
UP  iusT;fth.  ii,  ^'"^  ?-.^S''^  Tempest,  who  was  delayed,  and  drove 
up  just  as  the  sale  was  flnishmg.     Comet  was  located  at  Cleasby    three 

should  send  4!i"  ^  ^o^d^tion  of  purchase  was  that  the  four  buyers 
Should  send  twelve  cows  each  annually  to  him,  and  Mr.  AVright  was 
Co^T.Ti  ^T^  ^"^'  ^''  ^"^P-  ^''-  ^^'"^ht  died  in  the  meantirne,  I^d 
isTuppfse  fnH;  "^'"''u  ^^\^-^^^r  breaking  out  into  sores.  Remus  550) 
pressh  to  ^ttP.i  T^  ^n^""  ^'^  ^^'^  ^^^^-  ^^^"^  "^"-'^^  kept  a  man  ex- 
fhe  center  of  thl  .  fi'^T''  ^".'^  ^'^"^  "^^  ^'^^^  ^^^^  he  was  buried  in 
The  padlncS  1.  if  paddock  and  a  chestnut  tree  planted  on  his  grave. 
Thornton.  fQ?  ^T""  ^^  Comet's  garth'  [enclosure]  to  this  day?  Mr. 
to  an  enormonl^Sf ''''  purchased  this  field,  and  the  tree  having  grown 
Comeths  skeleton  l/l7S«4''''K''^^>^^  ^^^  ^^^  °f  February.  1865.  and 
and  the  Whnn?  [..o  h^^^:  his  rib  bone  measured  two  feet  one  inch, 
ference  flanv  of  th!  o°t)f ""^l^  ^°'''^'  ^^^^  ^^^hes  to  five  inches  circum- 
are  p?eseried  in  ^^^i.?^''  ^''''^^  "^^^""^  ^"^^^  perfect,  and  the  whole 
Darlington.  ^  ''^^^    ^^    ^    curiosity    at    Stapleton.    near 

was'^sed^and^'^dild^lV  r"^""  S-^^^^^  .*°  ^°"^^t'  ^"^  ^  ^^ar  younger. 
Khte^Mn  co^or  b,1?  f^,ii  ^''''- f?''''?^^'' ^^  Fifeshire  ;  he  was  a  little 
though  not  snrb  «lf,fi\f^  ^^'^  '1  ^"ality.  or  perhaps  rather  thicker. 
th^,>  !^o^  ^"i  ^  perfectly  elegant  animal  as  Comet.  Young  Phoenix 
''Mai^r  n97^''^^'^^^^^^?'\f  l^^^''  ^^^^'  ^  h^^^^^''  ^hat  died  /oung  ' 
red  pnd-^wV.ui  t^  ^  ''k^''  ^/'^^'  ''^^  "^^  particularly  handsome,  and  of  a 
llaiS  wM.ri'''''  hegot  much  good  stock  in  Lincolnshire  for  man? 
^^ctot  u^?-^^®  hired  by  Mr.  John  Charge,  who  bred  Western  Comf't 
to'bj  the  bS  Zu^'L^'.^l''''  ^^"^^  ^'^^^^^^'^  Come'rwaraTnowFedged 
land  Kp  wA  ,yili'''?'^  ^^^^\  stock-getter  ever  brought  into  Cumber- 
tv;?<?'pio5f  o^r  "^^"^  ^"^  ^l^  daughters  and  granddaughters,  and  from 
retand  pi  rarch  ?4?l/^^  Wharf  dale  tribe.,  recentl/ so  successful  S 
i.^Jio+  AT  ^15  ^h  (488)  was  a  splendid-looking  bull,  but  wanted  hair 
5?sfn  47fi^"'Vn^w''?  (^64).  who  had  big  kLckles.  was  Ssld.  Hke 
celebrated  sires  ilft^Tf^I^^^'^  ^^^^^^'^jal  seasons,  both  becoming 
ceieoi area  sires.     Ketton   (346)  also  showed  strong  knuckles  and  pvpnr 

nfoi''  ^^^""i  i^^^  Nottinghamshire.  Albion  (14)  is  said  to  have  done 
Yoin/Suchest'^kSo"  ""'^7  bull  used  at  Killefby  [Thomas  Booth'"] 
loung  Duchess,  known  afterwards  as  Duchess  1st  [bought  by  Thomas 
?ow^^isT!'^^  ^  fine  red  heifer  and  developed  into  a  large  handsS 
She  was  n^evfr^'inlff^  ""^  '^"  elegance  and  style  of  her^  sire?  Cornet. 
Duchess!  brthe&a\%-Bulf^^^^^^^^^^  ^^^"^^^   ^'   ^^^   ^^-^^-'   ^^e 


54  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

of  many  of  his  best  animals  was  imparted  to  their 
herds,  since  become  famous.  Like  his  brother 
Charles,  whenever  he  had  found  a  well-bred  female 
whose  superior  good  qualities  pleased  him,  if  it  were 
possible  he  also  availed  himself,  by  purchase,  of  her 
merits.  As  with  the  sale  of  Charles  in  1810,  the 
widely  advertised  first  sale  of  Robert  in  1818,  with  a 
greater  number  of  animals,  brought  a  large  attend- 
ance of  the  most  spirited  breeders  of  England.  It 
took  place  on  the  29th  and  30th  days  of  Septem- 
ber. Sixty-one  cattle  were  sold  for  £7,852  19s.,  an 
average  of  £128  14s.  9d.  The  top  price  was  621 
guineas  for  the  four-year-old  bull  Lancaster  (360). 
Mr.  Booth  of  Killerby  paid  270  guineas  for  the  bull 
calf  Pilot  (496). 

The  final  closing-out  sale  of  the  herd  occurred 
Oct.  3,  1820,  and  like  that  of  1818  attracted  wide 
attention.  The  forty-six  head  brought  £2,273  15s. 
6d.,  an  average  of  £49  8s.  7d.,  the  highest  price  paid 
being  350  guineas  by  Sir  C.  Loraine  for  the  five- 
year-old  bull  Baronet  (62).  The  total  of  the  two 
sales  was  £10,126  14s.  6d.  Commenting  upon  these 
prices  Mr.  John  Thornton,  than  whom  there  is  no 
higher  authority  in  England,  says:  ''Although  the 
average  of  the  Barmpton  sale,  1818,  w^as  under  that 
of  Ketton,  1810,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that 
it  was  a  better  sale.  In  1810  things  were  at  war 
price  and  everything  high,  whilst  in  1818  there  was 
peace  and  a  general  depression  upon  agriculture. 
The  'alloy'  blood,  too,  in  the  Ketton  stock  tended 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    IMPROVED    TYPE  55 

to  promote  competition  for  the  purer  strains  at 
BaiTupton.  The  bulls  are  said  by  Mr.  Wetherell  to 
have  been  the  finest  lot  he  ever  saw  at  one  sale.  They 
doubled  the  .average  of  the  cows,  and,  taking  the 
highest-priced  family  at  Ketton  against  the  high- 
est-priced one  at  Barmpton,  we  have  the  follow- 
ing result  in  favor  of  the  Barmpton  stock:  At  Ket- 
ton the  Phoenix  tribe,  sixteen  (including  Comet, 
1,000  guineas),  averaged  £221  3s.;  at  Barmpton  the 
Red  Rose  tribe,  eleven  (including  Lancaster,  621 
guineas),  averaged  £269  3s.  6d.,  and  the  thirteen 
favorite  Wildairs  averaged  £142  17s.  6d." 

Pre-eminence  of  the  Collings.— While  the  Short- 
horn history  of  this  particular  period  must  deal 
mainly  with  the  operations  of  the  brothers  Colling, 
it  will  of  course  be  understood  that  they  had  many 
intelligent  contemporaries.  Whether  the  Collings 
really  earned  the  right  to  be  called  the  first  great 
improvers  of  the  modern  Short-horn,  or  whether 
they  gained  their  fame  mainly  by  reason  of  the  nov- 
elty of  their  methods  and  their  superior  enterprise 
as  advertisers,  the  fact  remains  that  more  pedigrees 
in  the  Short-horn  herd  books  of  England  and  Amer- 
ica trace  to  the  Colling  herds  than  to  any  other 
dozen  herds  of  the  same  period  combined.  Mani- 
festly there  was  some  good  reason  for  the  general 
adoption  of  Colling  blood.  That  the  breeders  of  that 
day  conceded  leadership  to  the  breeder  of  Foljambe, 
Favorite  and  Comet  is  indicated  by  a  testimonial 
tendered   Charles  Colling  on   his   retirement  from 


56  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

breeding  in  1810 — a  valuable  piece  of  plate  bearing 
the  following  inscription: 

PRESENTED   TO 

MR.    CHARLES    COLLING, 

THE   GREAT  IMPROVER  OF  THE   SHORT-HORNED  BREED   OF  CATTLE, 
BY    THE     BREEDERS 

(Upicards  of  fifty), 

WHOSE    NAMES    ARE    ANNEXED, 

AS   A   TOKEN    OF    GRATITUDE   DUE   FOR   THE    BENEFIT    THEY    HAVE    DERIVED 

FROM     HIS    JUDGMENT,    AND    ALSO    AS    A    TESTIMONY    OF 

THEIR  ESTEEM   FOR   HIM    AS   A   MAN. 

1810. 


^^^^^^^^p                     ,>«>«"                    \^ 

■ 

P  *"  ■  A 

1 

^^^^^^KL        m     ^^Phk^'-'^  -^JS^I^^^I 

.  1 

H.    1 

Rh1\3 

^^^^^^^^^^^■k  ' 

P^s^ 

TIIOS.    BOOTH,    OF    KILLERBY.— (B^iom    photograph    of    painting,    repro- 
duced   by    courtesy    of    Richard    Booth,    Esq.,    Warlaby, 
North   Allertou,   Eugland.) 


CHAPTER  III 
FOUNDATIONS  OF  THE  BOOTH  HEEDS 

.  Free  use  of  the  Colling  blood  was  made  in  every 
herd  of  any  importance  in  the  Short-horn  breeding 
districts,  but  of  all  those  who  availed  themselves 
directly  of  the  improvement  wrought  at  Ketton  and 
Barmpton  the  names  of  the  elder  (Thomas)  Booth, 
Thomas  Bates,  Christopher  Mason,  Earl  Spencer  and 
Jonas  Whitaker  are  among  the  most  conspicuous. 
Indeed,  one  of  the  first  things  learned  by  those  who 
take  up  the  study  of  the  Short-horn  is  the  fact  that 
for  upw^ard  of  half  a  century  the  main  question  in 
the  minds  of  a  large  proportion  of  the  breeders  on 
both  sides  the  Atlantic  seemed  to  have  been  whether 
to  adopt  the  Bates  or  the  Booth  line  of  breeding. 
As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  cattle  bequeathed  originally 
by  the  Messrs.  Booth  and  Thomas  Bates  were  un- 
questionably of  the  highest  order  of  merit,  the  for- 
mer representing  a  type  distinguished  especially  for 
substance  and  flesh  and  the  latter  a  class  of  cattle 
of  the  dual-purpose  sort,  possessing  much  refinement 
of  character  and  undoubted  quality.  In  each  case 
the  stock  represented  a  remarkable  concentration  of 
blood,  possessed  a  singular  uniformity  in  general 
characteristics,  and  displayed  remarkable  prepo- 
tency when  crossed  upon  cattle  of  mixed  or  mis- 

57 


58  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

cellaneous  breeding.  In  the  "craze"  that  set  in  for 
stock  of  one  or  the  other  of  these  two  great  rival 
types  both  naturally  suffered  from  the  very  popu- 
larity that  gave  them  prominence.  Speculators,  a^ 
distinguished  from  constructive  breeders,  appeared 
upon  the  scene  and  a  traffic  in  "fashionable  pedi- 
grees" sprang  up  which  finally  ended  in  disaster 
both  to  the  breed  and  to  those  who  recklessly  per- 
sisted in  their  mad  career  of  in-and-in  or  "line" 
breeding,  with  its  inevitable  dangers  intensified  by 
the  retention  for  breeding  purposes  of  all  animals, 
good,  bad  and  indifferent,  that  could  trace  descent 
direct  from  Bates  or  Booth  sources.  Particularly 
was  this  true  of  the  Bates  Short-horns.  The  story 
of  the  rise  and  extension  of  the  Booth  and  Bates 
power  forms  one  of  the  most  important  parts  of 
the  Short-horn  history  of  the  nineteenth  century; 
and  a  knowledge  of  the  main  facts  connected  there- 
with is  as  3ssential  as  it  may  be  useful  to  those  who 
are  now  engaged  in  the  breeding  of  Short-horn 
cattle.  We  therefore  next  take  up  the  narrative  of 
the  origin  of  these  two  dominant  varieties,  with 
incidental  .references  to  the  work  of  other  early 
breed  builders. 

The  Elder  Booth.— Thos.  Bootli,  the  founder  of 
the  group  of  tribes  that  still  bear  his  name,  was 
the  owner  of  the  beautiful  Yorkshire  estate  of  Kil- 
lerby  in  the  fertile  valley  of  the  Swale  and  of  War- 
laby  in  the  vale  of  the  Wiske.  He  began  his  work 
with  Short-horns  at  Killerby  prior  to  the  year  1790. 


FOUXDATIOXS    OF    THE    BOOTH    HERDS  59 

In  common  with  the  Collings  and  nearly  all  of  his 
other  contemporaries,  Mr.  Booth  endeavored  to 
solve  the  problem  of  how  to  refine  the  old  Teesw^ater 
stock.  He  realized  the  faults  of  the  prevailing  type 
and  was  among  the  first  to  concede  that  through 
Hubback  (319)  and  the  Bakewell  system  the  Col- 
lings had  probably  hit  upon  the  long-sought  line  of 
progression.  Unlike  Mr.  Bates  and  many  other 
breeders  of  the  time,  he  did  not  deem  it  essential, 
however,  to  go  to  Ketton  and  Barmpton  for  females 
to  carry  on  his  experiments.  He  had  an  idea  that 
by  crossing  moderate-sized,  strongly-bred  Colling 
bulls  upon  large-framed,  roomy  cows  showing  great 
constitution  and  an  aptitude  to  fatten  he  could  im- 
prove even  upon  the  work  of  the  Collings.  To  this 
extent,  therefore,  he  must  be  credited  with  greater 
originality  than  some  of  his  brother  breeders. 
Moreover,  the  outcome  revealed  that  he  possessed 
quite  as  much  skill  as  he  had  independence  of  char- 
acter. 

The  first  of  the  "improved"  or  Colling  bulls  se- 
lected for  this  purpose  were  Twin  Brother  to  Ben 
(660)  and  one  of  his  sons,  both  bred  by  Robert  Col- 
ling. This  brought  in  a  strong  infusion  of  the  blood 
of  Hubback,  through  Punch  (531)  and  Foljambe 
(263),  in  addition  to  which  the  grandam  of  Twin 
Brother  to  Ben  went  to  Hubback  direct. 

The  Fairholme  experiment. — Among  Mr.  Booth's 
earlier  selections  were  five  heifer  calves  from  a  set 
of  cows  owned  by  a  Mr.  Broader  of  Fairholme,  a 


60  A   HISTORY  OF   SHOET-HOKX   CATTLE 

dairy  farmer  and  tenant  of  Lord  Harewood  in  the 
parish  of  Ainderby;  one  of  which — Fairhohne  by 
name — became  the  ancestress  of  several  illustrious 
families.  The  dams  of  these  calves  were  described 
as  ''fine  cattle;  good  dairy  cows  and  great  grazers 
when  dry;  somewhat  incompact  in  frame  and  steer- 
ish  in  appearance,  but  of  very  robust  constitution.'' 
Mr.  Booth  evidently  put  substance  ahead  of  points 
of  less  practical  importance,  and  from  the  very  first 
regarded  flesh-making  capacity  and  breadth  of  back 
and  loin  of  more  value  than  persistent  flow  of  milk. 
While  there  were  some  cows  of  marked  dairy  capac- 
ity in  his  original  herd,  they  soon  acquired  a  dis- 
position to  "dry  off"  quickly  and  put  on  great 
wealth  of  flesh,  a  trait  which  ever  afterward  dis- 
tinguished the  best  of  the  Booth  cattle. 

The  result  of  the  use  of  the  Colling  bulls  upon 
the  Fairholme  heifers  fulfilled  all  expectations. 
From  this  ''nick"  descended  the  Fairholme  or  Blos- 
som tribe,  the  old  Booth  Red  Rose  tribe  and  the  Ari- 
adne or  Bright  Eyes  tribe,  from  which  group  came 
some  of  the  best  of  the  Killerby  and  Warlaby  cattle, 
among  others  the  noted  Twin  Cow  (by  Albion),  her 
son  Navigator  and  a  score  of  great  show  cattle,  in- 
cluding such  celebrities  as  Bloom,  Plum  Blossom, 
Nectarine  Blossom,  Venus  Victrix,  Baron  Warlaby 
and  Windsor. 

Some  foundation  sires. — The  first  Colling  bulls 
were  reinforced  by  the  purchase  of  Suworrow  (636), 
also  of  Barmpton  breeding,  and  full  of  the  blood  of 


FOUXDATIOXS    OF    THE    BOOTH    HERDS  61 

Hubback  and  Favorite;  and  the  work  of  crossing 
these  bulls  upon  carefully  selected  cows  of  different 
origin  was  continued.  At  Charles  Colling 's  sale  in 
1810  the  light  roan  bull  calf  Albion  (14)  was  pur- 
chased for  sixty  guineas,  and  it  is  said  that  he  effect- 
ed even  g^^eater  improvement  in  the  herd  than  the 
Ben  bulls  or  Suworrow.  His  get  were  uniformly 
round-ribbed  and  stood  near  to  the  ground.  He  w^as 
intensely  bred  in  the  Favorite  blood,  although  carry- 
ing also  a  cross  of  the  so-called  ''alloy"  through 
Washington  (674).  Another  of  the  early  sires  was 
Pilot  (496),  of  Robert  Colling 's  breeding,  purchased 
at  the  Barmpton  sale  of  1818  for  270  guineas;  also 
overflowing  wdth  the  blood  of  Favorite  (252).  Still 
more  of  the  same  blood  was  secured  through  Mar- 
shall Beresford  (415),  bred  by  Maj.  Bowser,  a  broth- 
er-in-law of  Mr.  Booth's,  from  Comet  (155)  and 
Charles  Colling 's  Daisy. 

Great  care  was  taken  in  mating  the  animals  to  try 
and  breed  out  defects  and  establish  desired  charac- 
teristics; and  having,  by  a  judicious  course  of  selec- 
tion and  the  use  of  strongly-bred  Colling  bulls, 
acquired  a  good  degree  of  uniformity  in  essential 
points,  the  Bakewell  idea  of  breeding  from  close 
affinities  was  successfully  adopted.  No  sooner  had 
the  successful  issue  of  the  cross  of  the  first  Colling 
bulls  upon  the  Fairholme  and  other  cows  become  ap- 
parent than  Mr.  Booth  began  concentrating  the 
blood  of  their  progeny.  Sir  Henry  (597)  and  his  son 
Lame  Bull    (359)    and  Young    Albion    (15)    were 


62  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

among  the  earlier  sires  representing  the  fruits  of 
Mr.  Booth's  first  inbreeding. 

The  Halnaby  or  Strawberry  tribe. — Another  foun- 
dation dam  was  a  yellow-red  and  white  cow  that 
appealed  to  Mr.  Booth's  practiced  eye  in  the  Dar- 
lington market  about  1797.  She  was  bought  and 
crossed  with  Colling  blood,  and  became  the  matron 
of  a  celebrated  family.  The  first  named  cow  in  the 
maternal  line  was  Halnaby,  by  Lame  Bull  (359). 
Bred  to  Albion  (14)  she  produced  the  noted  stock- 
getter  Young  Albion  (15),  the  first  of  the  Booth- 
bred  bulls  to  be  let  out  on  hire,*  a  practice  which 
afterwards  became  a  settled  policy  in  the  manage- 
ment of  the  Booth  herds,  and  had  much  to  commend 
it,  for  it  enabled  the  owners  to  avail  themselves  of 
the  services  of  many  bulls  that  developed  into  great 
sires  that  would  otherwise  have  been  lost  to  them  in 
the  ordinary  course  of  selling.  •  From  the  Halnabys 
also  came  the  bulls  Eockingham  and  Priam,  the  lat- 
ter sire  of  the  renowned  show  "twins"  Necklace 
and  Bracelet.  To  this  same  foundation  also  trace 
the  Bianca  and  Bride  Elect  sort.  The  famous  cow 
White  Strawberry,  the  dam  of  the  excellent  stock 
bull  Leonard  (4210),  was  the  ancestress  of  Monk, 
Medora,  Eed  Rose,  and  her  ''queenly"  quartette  of 


*Toung-  Albion,  according  to  Carr,  "went  to  Mr.  Scroope's  of  Danby 
Hall,  near  Middleham,  who  had  a  fine,  large,  robust  herd  of  cattle, 
related  through  some  of  the  bulls  used  to  the  Colling  blood.  In  1812 
the  Squire  of  Danby  challenged  Mr.  Thomas  Booth  to  show,  "for 
rump  and  dozen"  (the  usual  stakes  at  that  day  being  rump  steaks 
and  a  dozen  of  wine),  the  best  lot  of  heifers  he  had  against  the  same 
number  of  his  own,  the  match  to  be  decided  at  Bedale.  Although  a 
good  lot  the  Danby  had  to  give  place  to  the  Killerby  and  Warlaby 
contingent." 


FOUNDATIONS    OF    THE    BOOTH    HERDS  63 

daughters — Queen  of  the  May,  Queen  Mab,  Queen 
of  the  Vale  an.d  Queen  of  the  Ocean — all  by  Crown 
Prince.  Young-  Matchem  (4422)  was  descended 
from  White  Rose,  own  sister  to  Young  Albion,  the 
same  family  producing  Young  Eachel,  the  dam  of 
Mr.  Ambler's  celebrated  Grand  Turk  (12969).  In- 
deed pages  might  be  tilled  with  the  triumphs  in 
show-yards  and  breeding  herds  of  animals  going 
back  to  the  yellow-red  cow  picked  up  by  Thomas 
Booth  at  Darlington  market. 

The  Bracelets. — This  family  was  derived  from  one 
of  the  heifers  sired  by  Suworrow.  Nothing  is  known 
of  the  cow  from  which  she  was  bred,  but  the  Suwor- 
row heifer  became  the  ancestress  of  a  fine  cow.  Coun- 
tess, dropped  in  1812  to  the  cover  of  Albion,  from 
whence  descended  Toy,  the  dam  of  Necklace  and 
Bracelet,  those  twin  tributes  to  the  greatness  and 
genius  of  the  Booths  as  cattle-breeders.  From  the 
same  source  also  came  Col.  Towneley's  Pearly  and 
Mr.  Torr's  Young  Bracelet  family. 

The  earlier  representatives  of  these  Fairholme, 
Halnaby  and  Bracelet  tribes  constituted  Thomas 
Booth's  breeding  herd  at  Killerby  up  to  the  year 
1814,  by  which  time  he  had  acquired  a  reputation 
as  a  skillful  improver  second  to  none.  At  that  early 
date  the  modern  system  of  high-feeding  for  the 
show-yards  had  not  yet  come  into  vogue.*  The 
breeding  cows  at  Killerby  were  on  pasture  the  great- 

*Carr  says  that  Mr.  Croftcn  was  the  first  to  introduce  the  idea  of 
"training"  Sliort-horns  for  show — "house-feeding  cows  and  heifers  in 
summer   months." 


64  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

er  portion  of  the  year,  and  were  wintered  mainly  on 
hay.  Heifers  were  jjut  to  breeding  at  an  early  age — 
generally  calving  as  two-year-olds. 

Richard  Booth  at  Studley. — In  the  year  1814  Rich- 
ard, son  of  Thomas  Booth,  leased  the  farm  of  Stud- 
ley,  some  fifteen  miles  south  of  Killerby,  near  Eipon, 
and  began  breeding  Short-horns  on  his  own  account. 
He  had  been  a  close  student  of  his  father's  methods, 
and  at  Studley  carried  the  Booth  stock  to  even  great- 
er perfection  than  it  had  yet  attained  at  Killerby. 
He  purchased  from  his  father  the  cow  Bright  Eyes, 
by  Lame  Bull,  and  her  two  heifers  by  Albion — Ari- 
adne and  Agnes.  Ariadne  became  at  Studley  the 
dam  of  the  famous  Anna  by  Pilot.* 

The  Isabellas. — This  great  Studley  tribe  was  bred 
from  another  one  of  those  Darlington  market  cows 
— a  roan  of  untraced  breeding,  except  that  she  was 
got  by  "Mr.  Burrell's  Bull  of  Burdon.''  Her  color 
and  her  quality  constituted  her  passport  into  Rich- 
ard Booth's  good  judgment.  She  is  said  to  have 
possessed  ' '  a  remarkablj^  ample  development  of  fore 
quarters,"  and  Mr.  Bruere,  who  afterward  bred  a 
noted  herd  of  Booth  cattle,  remarks  that  as  a  school- 
boy at  Ripon  he  "well  remembered  the  brimming 

*Anna  was  one  of  the  best  show  cows  of  her  day,  and  in  1824 
walked  from  Studley  to  Manchester  Show,  "gaining  first  prize  there, 
walking  back,  and  producing  within  a  fortnight  Young  Anna."  Anna 
is  said  to  have  borne  a  close  resemblance  to  Queen  of  the  Ocean.  She 
also  gave  birth  to  Adelaide,  the  highest-priced  female  sold  at  the  Stud- 
ley sale  in  1834,  and  was  the  grandam  of  Mr.  Storer's  Princess  Julia. 
From  Anna,  through  her  daughter  Young  Anna,  were  descended  two  of 
Mr.  Torr's  families  ;  and  from  Agnes,  daughter  of  Bright  Eyes,  came 
Mr.  Fawkes'  Verbena  and  her  descendants.  Agamemnon,  an  own 
brother  of  Ariadne,  was  "a  bull  of  extraordinary  substance,  good  hind 
quarters,  heavy  flanks,  deep  twist  and  well-covered  hips." 


FOUNDATION'S    OF    THE    BOOTH    HERDS  65 

pails  of  milk  she  gave."  Bred  to  Agamemnon  (9), 
of  the  Killerby  Bright  Eyes  blood,  she  produced  the 
"White  Cow,''  which,  mated  with  Pilot,  dropped 
"the  matchless  Isabella,  so  long  remembered  in 
show-field  annals  and  to  this  day  quoted  as  a  perfect 
specimen  of  her  race."* 

It  is  said  that  "Isabella  and  her  descendants 
brought  the  massive  yet  exquisitely  molded  fore 
quarters  into  the  herd,  and  also  the  straight  under- 
line of  the  belly,  for  which  the  Warlaby  animals  are 
so  remarkable,"  and  the  same  authority,  Mr.  Carr, 
adds:  "That  such  a  cow  should  have  had  but  three 
crosses  of  blood  is  striking  evidence  of  the  impress- 
ive efficacy  of  these  early  bulls,  and  confirms  Mr.  E. 
Booth's  opinion  that  four  crosses  of  really  first-rate 
bulls  of  sterling  blood  upon  a  good  market  cow  of 


*  Speaking  of  Isabella,  Mr.  Carr  says:  "Pedestrians  crossing  the 
fields  to  the  ruins  of  Fountain  Abbey  might  generally  see  her  and  Anna, 
perhaps  the  two  best  cows  of  their  day,  with  a  blooming  bevy  of  fair 
heifers,  attended  by  Young  Albion  ;  and  many  a  traveler  lingered  on 
his  way  to  admire  their  buxom  forms,  picturing  to  himself,  perhaps, 
how  the  monks  of  the  old  abbey  would  have  gloried  in  such  beeves. 
Isabella  was  the  Rev.  Henry  Berry's  beau  ideal  of  a  Short-horn.  In 
1823,  Sir  Charles  Morgan  having  offered  a  premium  to  promote  a  trial 
of  merit  between  Herefords  and  Short-horns,  Mr.  Berry  wrote  to  the 
editor  of  the  Farmers'  Journal  requesting  him  to  give  publicity  to  the 
following  offer:  'I  will  produce  as  a  competitor  for  Sir  Charles  Mor- 
gan's premium  at  Christmas  next  a  Short-horned  cow,  then  nine  years 
old,  expecting  to  drop  her  eighth  living  calf  (at  separate  births)  in 
June  now  next  ensuing,  against  any  Hereford  in  England  seven  or 
nine  years  old  having  had  calves  for  years  in  the  same  proportion. 
I  w^ill  also,  on  the  same  occasion,  produce  a  Short-horn  heifer  three 
years  old,  having  had  a  living  calf,  allowing  to  the  Herefords  the  same 
ample  scope — all  England — for  the  production  of  a  competitor.  It  will 
be  obvious  to  your  readers  that  in  thus  pitting  two  individuals  against 
so  numerous  a  tribe  as  the  Herefords  I  must  entertain  considerable 
confidence  in  their  merits,  and  it  will  be  as  easy  to  draw  a  correct 
conclusion  should  my  offer  not  be  accepted.'  The  cow  and  heifer  which, 
by  permission  of  the  owners,  Mr.  Berry  proposed  bringing  into  competi- 
tion with  the  Herefords  were  Mr.  Whitaker's  cow  Moss  Rose  and  Mr. 
Booth's  heifer  Isabella,  by  Pilot,     The  challenge  was  not  taken  up." 


66  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

tlie  ordinary  Short-horn  breed  should  suffice  for  the 
production  of  an  animal  with  all  the  characteristics 
of  the  high-caste  Short-horn.''  Isabella  produced 
among  other  celebrities  the  Royal  prize-winning  Isa- 
bella Buckingham;  and  of  all  the  cows  owned  by 
Eichard  Booth  at  the  time  of  the  Studley  sale  of 
1834  she  (Isabella)  alone  was  retained  and  trans- 
ferred to  Warlaby,  where  she  produced  in  her 
eighteenth  year  the  heifer  Isabella  Matchem,  that 
proved  a  prolific  breeder.  The  entire  family  was 
noted  for  its  tendency  to  lay  on  flesh  rapidly  on 
grass. 

^' White  Cow,"  by  Agamemnon,  produced  besides 
Isabella,  Lady  Sarah  and  ''Own  Sister  to  Isabella," 
and  was  then  sold  to  Mr.  Paley.  The  "Own  Sister" 
became  the  dam  of  Blossom,  whose  daughter  Medora 
— sold  to  Mr.  Fawkes — proved  an  extraordinary 
breeder.* 

A  Marshal  Beresford  cow,  Madame,  taken  from 
Killerby  to  Studley,  became  the  matron  of  a  tribe 
that  made  up  an  important  proportion  of  the  stock 
sold  at  the  dispersion  of  1834.  They  were  good 
milkers  and  ripened  quickly  when  not  nursing 
calves.    They  were  largely  descended  through  a  cow 


*A  writer  in  BeJVs  Messenger,  probably  Mr.  William  Housman, 
speaking  of  this  cow,  said :  "A  gentleman  who  has  been  conversant 
with  the  herds  of  Great  Britain  for  at  least  a  quarter  of  a  century 
declares  that  one  of  the  most  interesting  sights  he  ever  saw  at  an  agri- 
cultural exhibition  was  on  the  show  ground  at  Otley  some  years  ago, 
when,  after  the  judging,  the  famous  Booth  cow  Medora,  by  Ambo,  was 
led  around  the  ring,  followed  by  her  six  daughters,  all  of  them,  as 
well  as  the  mother,  decorated  with  prize  favors.  The  daughters  were 
Gulnare,  Haidee  and  Zuleka  (by  Norfolk)  ;  Victoria  and  Fair  Maid  of 
Athens  (by  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax),  and  a  heifer  named  Myrrah,  by 
Rockingham   (2550)." 


EOUNDATIOXS    OF    THE    BOOTH    HERDS  67 

called  Miss  Foote,  that  was  from  Fair  Maid,  a 
daughter  of  Madame. 

Probably  the  two  best  bulls  used  at  Studley  were 
Pilot  (496),  hired  from  Killerby,  and  Julius  Caesar 
(1143),  the  latter  a  son  of  Young  Albion  (15)  out  of 
one  of  the  Killerby  Red  Roses  by  Albion  (14).  This 
was  called  a  very  evenly-built  bull,  and  he  proved 
exceedingly  prepotent,  a  fact  which  is  not  surpris- 
ing in  view  of  his  strong  breeding.  He  traced  six 
times  to  Thos.  Booth's  Twin  Brother  to  Ben.  Pilot 
proved  a  great  stock  bull  in  all  three  of  the  Booth 
herds.  As  already  stated,  he  was  also  very  closely 
bred.  He  was  let  for  a  time  to  Mr.  Rennie,  but  his 
stock  developed  such  extraordinary  merit  that  he 
was  recalled  and  freely  used.  He  was  a  small,  com- 
pact bull,  much  inclined  to  put  on  flesh. 

As  already  noted,  the  herd  at  Studley  was  closed 
out  in  1834.  This  step  was  greatly  regretted  in  later 
years  by  Mr.  Richard  Booth,  but  Mrs.  Lawrence,  the 
proprietress  of  Studley,  required  some  of  the  best 
pastures  for  other  purposes,  and  there  seemed  no 
other  course  open  but  a  sale  of  the  herd.  Mr.  Booth 
then  retired  to  Sharrow,  near  Ripon,  until  the  fol- 
lowing year,  when  he  succeeded  to  his  father's  herd 
at  Warlaby. 

John  Booth  at  Killerby. — In  1819,  upon  the  occa- 
sion of  the  marriage  of  his  son  John  (brother  to 
Richard),  Mr.  Thomas  Booth  gave  up  Killerby  and 
a  portion  of  the  herd  to  the  former,  and  removed  to 
his  other  farm,  Warlaby,  near  Northallerton,  taking 


68  A  HISTORY  OF  SHORT-HORN-  CATTLE 

with  him  to  that  place  a  draft  from  the  Fairholme 
(or  Blossom)  and  the  old  Red  Rose  tribes.  The 
Bracelets  were  all  left  for  the  son  at  Killerby.* 

The  period  extending  from  1820  down  to  about 
1835  was  not  characterized  by  the  same  widespread 
interest  in  Short-horn  breeding  that  had  prevailed 
for  twenty-five  years  previous,  and  we  are  without 
special  particulars  concerning  the  Killerby  and  War- 
laby  stocks  during  those  years.  Fox-hunting  seemed 
of  more  importance  to  a  goodly  section  of  the  York- 
shire farmers  than  the  development  of  their  herds  of 
cattle.  Still  there  were  some  who  remained  stead- 
fastly by  the  work  under  adverse  circumstances,  and 
among  these  the  Messrs.  Booth  and  Mr.  Bates  were 
distinguished  for  their  pertinacity  and  skill.  As 
what  may  be  termed  the  more  modern  history  of  the 
Booths  may  be  said,  therefore,  to  begin  late  in  the 
^'thirties,"  we  will  leave  the  story  of  the  operations 
at  Killerby  and  Warlaby  at  this  point  to  bring  down 
to  a  similar  date  (1835)  the  work  undertaken  by 
Thomas  Bates  and  some  of  his  contemporaries. 


*Killerby  is  one  of  the  pleasantest  of  the  pleasant  homes  in  Eng- 
land. It  is  a  substantial  square  manor-house,  picturesquely  situated 
on  a  gentle  eminence  to  the  south  of  the  river  Swale,  and  two  miles 
from  Catterick,  the  site  of  the  once  important  Roman  camp  and  city 
of  Cataractonium.  The  house  occupies  the  site  of  the  ancient  castle 
of  Killerby,  once  a  stronghold  of  great  magnitude,  founded  in  the  reign 
of  Edward  I,  by  Sir  Brian  Fitzalan,  Earl  of  Arundel.  It  is  approached 
by  a  road  winding  through  verdant  pastures  thrown  together  in  the 
form  of  a  park,  adorned  here  and  there  with  noble  elm  and  walnut 
trees.  The  estate  consisted  of  about  500  acres  of  arable  and  pasture 
land." — Carres  History. 


TUOS.     BATES.     OF     KIRKLEVINGTON.— (Reproduced     by     courtesy     of 

Cadwallader  John   Bates,    Langley   Castle,    Northumberland, 

England.) 


CHAPTER  IV 
THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES 

*^A  wonderful,  wonderful  man!  He  might  become 
anything — even  Prime  Minister — if  he  would  not 
talk  so  much.'^  Such  was  Earl  Spencer's  jocular 
but  nevertheless  close-fitting  characterization  of 
Thomas  Bates.  Conspicuous  among  all  those  who 
exercised  powerful  individual  influence  upon  the  for- 
tunes of  the  breed  after  the  dawn  of  the  nineteenth 
century;  partially  contemporary  in  time  with  the 
Collings,  although  much  younger  in  years,  the 
unique  and  interesting  personality  of  Mr.  Bates  was 
first  projected  into  the  field  of  Short-horn  cattle- 
breeding  about  the  year  1800.  From  the  date  of  his 
death  in  1849  for  a  period  of  about  a  quarter  of  a 
century  cattle  bearing  the  Bates  blood  were  one  of 
the  great  factors  in  the  Short-horn  trade  not  only  of 
England  but  of  the  United  States  as  well.  During 
that  period  so  great  was  the  demand  for  animals 
descending  from  his  favorite  Duchess  tribe  that  a 
range  of  speculative  values  unheard  of  before  or 
since  was  for  a  time  established,  the  climax  being 
reached  at  New  York  Mills,  near  Utica,  N.  Y.,  in 
1873,  when  the  fabulous  sum  of  $40,600  was  bid  for 
a  single  specimen  of  that  family. 


70  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

''Duke''  bulls  for  years  held  the  balance  of  power 
in  the  American  Short-horn  breeding  world,  fashion- 
ing the  type  of  cattle  bred  in  hundreds  of  herds.  On 
account,  therefore,  of  the  far-reaching  influence 
exerted  by  them  upon  the  fortunes  of  the  breed  we 
must  devote  considerable  space  to  the  story  of 
Thomas  Bates  and  how  he  conceived  and  carried  out 
his  pet  plan  for  tlie  preservation  of  what  he  believed 
to  be  the  best  of  all  the  early  Short-horn  blood. 
Injudicious  in-and-in  breeding,  the  retention  for 
breeding  purposes  of  all  animals  dropped  within  the 
charmed  circle  of  the  Kirklevington  tribes,  regard- 
less of  individual  character,  and  the  evil  influence 
of  certain  reckless  speculators,  long  since  under- 
mined the  work  of  Thomas  Bates ;  but  the  main  facts 
connected  with  his  career  and  the  w^orld-wide  popu- 
larity attained  after  his  death  by  stock  derived  from 
the  Kirklevington  herd  must  ever  possess  a  fascina- 
tion for  the  student  of  Short-horn  history.  More- 
over, they  are  not  without  a  lesson  to  posterity. 

Early  studies  in  cattle-breeding". — Bom  at  Aydon 
Castle,  Northumberland,  in  1775,  at  the  age  of  twen- 
ty-five Bates  leased  the  extensive  farm  and  estate 
of  Halton  Castle,  a  few  miles  distant  from  his  birth- 
place. This  was  in  the  Tyneside  country,  just  west 
of  Newcastle.  First  adopting  West  Highland  cattle 
for  grazing  and  fattening  purposes  he,  like  many 
other  intelligent  farmers  of  that  day,  was  deeply 
impressed  by  the  exhibition  of  fat  Short-horn  stock 
of  the  Colling  blood.    It  appears  that  the  young  man 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  71 

had  gained  a  considerable  knowledge  of  the  Tees- 
water  cattle  before  making  his  first  investments  in 
them.  After  the  fashion  of  the  time  he  was  in  the 
habit  of  visiting  Darlington  on  market  or  "fair" 
days,  and  there  met  many  of  the  most  prominent 
Short-horn  breeders  of  the  period.  These  markets 
were  held  on  Mondays  and  provided  an  admirable 
opportunity  for  study  and  comparison.  One  can 
readily  appreciate  the  value  to  a  beginner  in  breed- 
ing of  such  a  school  as  was  provided  by  these  Yarm 
and  Darlington  fairs.  Mr.  Mason  of  Chilton,  the 
Joblings,  the  Collings,  Maynard  of  Eryholme,  the 
elder  Booth,  and  many  other  experienced  men  were 
in  the  throng  of  those  who  constituted  the  Short- 
horn "Senate'^  at  the  King's  Head  and  the  Black 
Bull  Inn.  Those  market  fairs  of  a  hundred  years 
ago,  from  whence  sprang  the  Eoyal  and  Smithfield 
Shows,  as  well  as  our  American  State  fairs,  fur- 
nished the  first  great  stimulus  to  Short-horn  im- 
provement and  were  the  means  of  enlisting  the  inter- 
est of  the  farmers  of  all  England  in  the  breed,  a  fact 
which  serves  to  emphasize  the  far-reaching  im- 
portance of  such  events  and  the  necessity  of  sup- 
porting them  heartily  at  all  times. 

Bates  was  a  keen  observer  at  the  time  he  began 
frequenting  these  market-places.  The  heterogeneous 
mixture  that  had  up  to  this  time  constituted  the  old 
Teeswater  breed  was  rapidly  being  fused  into  some- 
thing like  a  homogeneous  type.  The  fires  about  the 
refining  crucible  were  burning  brightly — especially 


72  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

at  Ketton,  where  appeal  had  been  made  to  Bake- 
weirs  magic  power.  Thomas  Bates  watched  the 
workmen  at  their  task;  visited  among  them,  and 
finally  seized  upon  what  he  regarded  as  the  best 
material  then  in  the  hands  of  the  master-spirits  in 
the  business.  He  became  quite  intimate  with  Charles 
Colling,  and  usually  stayed  at  Ketton,  or  with  Mason 
of  Chilton,  from  Saturday  night  to  Monday,  on  the 
occasion  of  his  attending  Darlington  market.  It 
was  at  the  great  "fair'^  held  at  this  place  on  the 
first  Monday  in  March  of  1799  that  "the  wonderful 
Durham  Ox''  was  exhibited;  but  while  the  great 
Colling  steer  was  astounding  the  gaping  crowd  the 
thoughts  of  the  bright  young  Northumberland  farm- 
er were  otherwise  engaged.  Another  beast  of  Ket- 
ton breeding  was  claiming  his  close  attention.  He 
was  meditating  the  selection  of  foundation  stock  for 
a  breeding  herd,  and  had  been  especially  attracted 
by  a  roan  heifer  of  the  Duchess  blood  shown  upon 
this  occasion  by  Charles  Colling.  He  doubtless  knew 
by  hearsay  of  the  excellence  of  the  original  Stanwick 
cow  of  that  name  already  referred  to,  and  his  good 
opinion  of  this  particular  roan  heifer  was  heightened 
by  the  fact  that  he  "thrice  met  Mr.  Thompson,  a 
well-known  judge  of  stock  from  Northumberland,'' 
by  her  side  during  the  day. 

The  Durham  Ox  was  got  by  Favorite  (252)  out  of 
a  common  black-and-white  cow  bought  at  Durham 
Fair;  but,  like  his  sire,  the  steer  was  roan,  a  fact  of 
interest,  in  connection  with  the  bullock's  wonderful 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  73 

character,  as  foreshadowing  the  prepotency  of  sires 
representing  a  strong  concentration  of  blood. 
Among  other  remarks  heard  by  Mr.  Bates  from 
those  who  were  discussing  the  great  steer  was  one 
to  the  effect  that  the  most  perfect  animals  likely  to 
be  bred  in  the  ensuing  years  would  be  those  sired 
by  Favorite  out  of  Hubback  cows.  This  thought,  it 
is  said,  took  deep  root  in  the  young  man's  mind  and 
governed  him  largely  in  his  subsequent  choice  of 
breeding  stock. 

Original  investments. — On  May  day,  1800,  Bates 
took  possession  of  the  Halton  Castle  Farm.  In 
March  of  that  year  he  had  bought  his  first  Short- 
horn. It  does  not  appear,  however,  as  if  he  had  at 
that  time  made  up  his  mind  fully  as  to  which  was 
the  best  Colling  blood;  for  this  initial  purchase  was 
a  heifer  sired  by  Ben  out  of  a  cow  called  Venus,  that 
was  an  own  sister  to  the  roan  two-year-old  heifer 
Mary  which  Colling  sold  to  Gen.  Simson  of  Fife- 
shire,  Scotland,  in  1806  for  300  guineas.  Subse- 
quently Bates  changed  his  mind  about  the  blood  of 
Ben  and  expressed  great  aversion  for  it.  This  would 
indicate  that  the  heifer  for  some  reason  did  not  do 
well  at  Halton.  The  great  price  (for  1800)  of  100 
guineas  was  paid  for  her,  the  largest  sum  Colling 
had  up  to  that  time  received  for  a  cow.  Mr.  Bates 
and  his  friends  claimed  that  the  payment  of  this 
fancy  figure  was  a  prime  factor  in  giving  the  Ketton 
stock  prestige  over  the  other  herds  of  that  period. 

In  the  fall  of  1800  Mr.  Bates  bought  from  Robert 


74  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Colling  some  young  steers  sired  by  Favorite  (252) 
for  feeding  purposes.  He  hired  Daisy  Bull  (186) 
from  Charles  Colling,  and  afterward  bought  him 
for  thirty  guineas.  In  1803  he  hired  Styford  (629) 
from  Robert  Colling.  Both  were  by  Favorite  (252). 
Some  West  Highland  heifers  had  meantime  been 
acquired,  as  Mr.  Bates  at  that  time  believed  that  by 
crossing  them  with  good  Short-horn  bulls  feeding 
stock  could  be  obtained  that  would  be  superior  to 
any  but  the  best  types  of  the  Short-horns  of  that 
period.  The  Colling  bulls  named  were  therefore 
obtained  mainly  for  crossing  purposes.  Both  Daisy 
Bull  and  Styford  are  said  to  have  revealed  clearly 
the  Hubback  character  in  their  hair  and  handling. 

The  Duchess  blood. — About  this  time  a  very  sub- 
stantial legacy  was  received  from  an  aunt,  and  this 
enabled  Mr.  Bates  to  go  on  with  his  Short-horn 
breeding.  For  100  guineas  he  bought  from  Charles 
Colling  in  1804  the  cow  Duchess,  by  Daisy  Bull 
(186),  then  four  years  old  and  in  calf  to  Favorite. 
A  heifer  from  her  was  also  bargained  for  at  sixty 
guineas,  but  at  Mrs.  Colling 's  request  was  given  up 
and  returned  to  Ketton.  In  this  cow  Bates  claimed 
to  have  secured  not  only  the  best  cow  in  England 
but  the  only  one  then  living  running  direct  from 
Hubback  to  Favorite.  He  was  very  anxious  to  breed 
her  to  Mr.  Charles  Colling 's  Duke  (224),  by  Favor- 
ite, then  going  out  to  hire  to  a  Mr.  Gibson,  and  al- 
though promised  the  service  was  unable  to  secure 
it — a  fact  which  led  to  bad  blood  between  Bates  and 


DUCHESS,   BY  DAISY  BULL  (186);  BRED  BY  CHAS".  COLLING. 


KETTON  1st  (709);  BRED  BY  CHAS.  COLLING. 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  75 

Colling.  In  1805  Duchess,  by  Daisy  Bull,  produced 
a  bull  calf,  Ketton  (709),  by  Favorite  (252),  which 
was  retained  for  subsequent  service.  She  dropped 
one  heifer.  Baroness,  by  St.  John  (572),  but  becom- 
ing a  "shy"  breeder  was  reluctantly  sold  to  Mr. 
Donkin  of  Sandhoe,  and  as  she  did  not  in  his  pos- 
session settle  down  to  bulls  of  desired  form  and 
quality  her  other  calves  (all  bulls)  did  not  carry  the 
blood  Mr.  Bates  sought.  She  was  always  a  deep, 
rich  milker,  making  as  high  as  14  lbs.  of  butter  per 
week,  and  when  fed  off  at  seventeen  years  of  age  she 
is  said  to  have  made  an  excellent  carcass  of  beef. 

Bates  had  made  up  his  mind  that  this  Duchess 
blood  was  the  most  valuable  strain  in  the  entire 
breed  and  resolved  to  persevere  in  his  efforts  at 
acquiring  it.*  At  the  Ketton  dispersion  in  1810  he 
bought  Young  Duchess,  a  grand-daughter  of  Duchess 
by  Daisy  Bull,  sired  by  the  1,000-guinea  bull  Comet 
(155),  at  183  guineas.  She  was  evidently  not  one  of 
the  best  individuals  in  that  memorable  sale.  Indeed 
she  was  pronounced  "shabby"  by  the  whole  neigh- 

*In  a  letter  written  to  Mr.  Bailey  in  1810  Bates  said:  "A  heifer 
of  this  Duchess  breed,  being  the  first  calf  got  by  old  Favorite,  weighed 
when  little  more  than  three  years  old  within  six  pounds  of  100  stone, 
fourteen  pounds  to  the  stone,  and  was  allowed  to  be  a  greater  curiosity 
than  the  Ketton  ox  of  the  same  age  when  shown  with  him  at  Darling- 
ton in  the  spring  of  1799.  The  pedigree  of  Young  Duchess  as  I  re- 
ceived it  from  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Colling  is  thus :  By  Comet,  dam  of 
Favorite;  grandam  by  Daisy  (a  son  of  Favorite)  ;  great-grandam  by 
Favorite :  great-great-grandam  by  Hubback ;  great-great-great-gran- 
dam  by  Mr.  Brown's  famous  old  bull  Aldbrough.  And  what  adds  to 
the  value  of  this  pedigree  is  that  the  cow  by  Mr.  Brown's  old  bull 
was  as  good  as  any  of  the  tribe  since,  without  her  of  course  being 
improved  by  those  bulls  which  have  so  much  benefited  the  other  tribes 
of  Short-horns.  Mrs.  Colling  assured  me  that  this  tribe  has  always 
been  the  best  milking  tribe.  This  Duchess  tribe  is  the  only  instance 
now  remaining  of  the  produce  of  Hubback  being  put  to  Favorite  with- 
out some  other  bull  intervening,  which  circumstance,  added  to  their 
being  a  great  milk-and-butter  tribe,  give  them  a  pre-eminence  over 
any  other  tribe  of  Short-horns." 


76  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

borhood  about  Halton,  Mr.  Bates  Sr.,  in  particular, 
ridiculing  liis  son's  purchase.  Thomas  relied  upon 
her  breeding  and  her  quality,  however,  and  bided 
his  time.  Under  the  name  of  Duchess  1st  she  proved 
the  ancestress  of  the  far-f^med  Duchess  family, 
which  ultimately  became  the  highest-priced  and 
most-widely-sought  tribe  known  in  Short-horn  his- 
tory. He  immediately  began  asserting  with  char- 
acteristic assurance  the  extreme  value  of  this  heifer 
on  account  of  her  descent,  and  announced  that  he 
would  not  take  £1,000  for  his  bargain!  Such  was 
the  beginning  of  the  Duchess  "boom." 

Student,  experimenter  and  exhibitor. — In  1810, 
at  the  age  of  thirty-five  years,  this  ambitious  North- 
umberland tenant  farmer  became  a  student  at  Edin- 
burgh University — a  fact  which  should  not  be  with- 
out its  lesson  to  those  who  at  the  present  day  are 
wrestling  with  the  problems  presented  by  our  mod- 
ern agriculture.  His  course  of  lectures  embraced 
not  only  practical  agriculture  but  mental  and  moral 
science.  He  took  copious  notes  which  have  been 
preserved,  from  which  it  is  clear  he  made  good  use 
of  his  time.  After  his  return  to  Halton  we  find  him 
busy  with  various  farming  and  feeding  operations 
and  experiments  in  the  handling  and  storage  of  for- 
age crops.  It  took,  in  his  opinion,  a  working  capital 
of  five  times  the  amount  of  one's  rent  to  farm  profit- 
ably. At  Halton  he  employed  a  capital  of  £7,500, 
one-half  of  which  he  had  expended  under  his  twenty- 
one-year  lease  in  permanent  improvements,  of  which 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  77 

he  only  had  the  benefit  during  the  unexpired  term 
of  the  lease.  Not  satisfied  with  this  sort  of  a  situa- 
tion he  bought  a  portion  (1,000  acres)  of  the  manor 
of  Kirklevington,  near  Yarm,  in  Yorkshire,  for 
£30,000,  of  which  £20,000  was  paid  in  cash.  This 
property,  then  as  now,  presented  no  very  flattering 
prospect  to  a  good  farmer.  The  land  is  a  cold  clay, 
fairly  good  for  grass,  but  requiring  careful  manage- 
ment for  tillage. 

Mr.  Bates  always  had  regard  for  the  milking  trait 
in  his  cattle,  and  conducted  extended  experiments  to 
determine  the  relation  between  quantity  and  quality 
of  milk  and  butter.  It  is  related  that  the  cow  Duch- 
ess, by  Daisy  Bull,  "gave  on  grass  alone  without 
other  food  in  the  summer  of  1807  at  Halton  fourteen 
quarts  of  milk  twice  a  day.  Each  quart  of  milk, 
when  set  up  and  churned  separately,  yielded  one  and 
one-half  ounces  of  butter  or  forty-two  ounces  a  day. 
The  butter  was  made  up  for  the  Newcastle  market  in 
ten  and  one-half-ounce  packages,  which  were  sold 
at  one  shilling  each.  The  skim-milk  was  bought  by 
the  laborers  at  a  penny  a  quart,  and  allowing  two 
shillings  for  the  subtraction  of  the  cream  this  made 
14s.  4d.  a  week.  Altogether,  therefore,  the  cow 
brought  in  more  than  two  guineas  a  week.''  He 
insisted  that  many  breeders  were  making  a  mistake 
in  disregarding  the  dairy  qualities  of  their  cattle,*  a 


*"On  a  certain  occasion  Mason  of  Chilton  called  to  breakfast  at 
Halton.  Barbara  Giles,  the  housekeeper,  had  just  put  the  week's  butter 
in  readiness  for  the  Newcastle  market  on  the  Saturday,  and  Bates  told 
him  that  however  ready  he  was  for  breakfast  he  should  have  none 
until  he  had  counted  the  butter.  There  were  300  half-pounds  to  go  to 
the  market,  besides  what  was  used  in  the  house  and  sold   at  home. 


78  A  HISTORY   OP   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

point  which  is  not  without  its  practical  application 
at  the  present  time.  He  was  also  an  earnest  student 
of  feeding  problems,  and  two  of  his  steers,  ''the 
brindled  ox^'  of  1808  and  "white  ox"  of  1810,  at- 
tracted much  attention  and  attested  his  skill  in  that 
direction.  He  experimented  carefully  upon  the  rela- 
tive merits  of  the  systems  of  soiling  and  grazing, 
and  in  a  memorable  address  to  the  Boards  of  Agri- 
culture of  the  United  Kingdom  made  a  strenuous 
plea  for  extended  experimentation  as  to  the  various 
breeds  of  live  stock.  It  thus  appears  that  Thomas 
Bates  was  wide-awake  to  the  necessities  of  his  time 
in  relation  to  successful  farming,  and  in  some  re- 
spects at  least  a  long  way  in  advance  of  his  con- 
temporaries. 

Bates  was  an  exhibitor  of  cattle  at  the  Tyneside 
shows,  held  sometimes  thrice  a  year,  from  their  in- 
ception in  1804,  and  was  successful  at  every  show 
until  that  of  1812,  when  he  considered  himself  shab- 
bily treated  by  the  judges.  So  incensed  was  he  at 
the  decisions  here  that  he  never  afterward  entered 


There  were  then  thirty  cows  which  had  calved,  and  the  butter  sold 
for  above  one  shilling  the  half  pound.  This  left  more  than  ten 
shillings  for  each  cow  in  butter  alone,  besides  the  value  of  the  milk 
otherwise  sold,  while  all  the  calves  were  reared  by  the  pail  and 
none  allowed  to  suck.  Had  all  the  milk  been  creamed  and  made 
into  butter  there  would  have  been  twice  the  number  of  pats.  Mason, 
thrown  off  his  guard  at  this  display  of  dairy  produce,  confessed  to 
Bates :  'You  can  go  on  breeding  Short-horns  because  they  pay  you 
in  milk,  butter  and  beef,  but  we  cannot  do  so  unless  we  sell  them  at 
high  prices  to  breeders.' 

"Mason,  as  Bates  plainly  told  him,  was  keeping  at  the  time  three 
sets  of  cows,  one  to  breed  calves  and  then  get  dry  (which  was  no 
hard  matter)  in  order  to  attract  notice  by  their  high  condition,  a 
second  as  wet  nurses  to  rear  the  calves,  and  a  third  to  supply  his 
family  with  milk  and  butter.  'This,'  Bates  added  many  years  after- 
ward, 'is  a  system  that  would  ruin  any  man  if  he  had  the  land  rent 
free  and  no  outgoings  to  pay,  yet  many  continue  to  pursue  this  reck- 
less course  in  order  to  gain  premiums,  attract  public  attention  and 
gratify  their  vanity  at  the  cost  of  their  pockets.'  " — Farmer's  Magazine. 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  79 

the  sliow-yard  as  a  competitor  until  the  York  meet- 
ing of  1838. 

Bulls  first  used  on  the  Duchesses. — As  already 
mentioned,  Duchess  by  Daisy  Bull,  claimed  as  the 
best  Short-horn  cow  of  her  time,  dropped  to  the 
cover  of  Favorite  (252)  a  bull  which  was  named 
Ketton  in  honor  of  his  Colling  derivation.  This  was 
the  first  bull  of  the  Duchess  blood  owned  and  used 
by  Mr.  Bates,  and  in  spite  of  his  "close"  breeding 
was  a  beast  of  strong  constitution  and  possessed  of 
the  refinement  and  character  so  earnestly  sought.* 
He  was  undoubtedly  a  good  bull,  although  his  por- 
trait— drawn  in  1814 — would  indicate  some  promi- 
nence of  hip  and  lightness  of  flank.  He  was  red- 
and-white  and  remained  seven  years  in  service.  This 
is  the  bull  of  which  "Tommy"  Thompson,  the  cow- 
man, said,  "he  never  got  a  middling  calf" — all  were 
regarded  as  above  the  average. 

From  1816  to  1820  the  bulls  Ketton  2d  (710)  and 
Ketton  3d  (349)  (the  former  a  son  and  the  latter  a 
grandson  of  Ketton  1st)  were  used,  but  their  get 
were  not  equal  to  the  progeny  of  the  son  of  the  old 


*More  than  sixty  years  afterward  Mr.  William  Charlton,  who  had 
lived  near  Bates  and  ultimately  settled  at  Sutton  in  Essex,  wrote: 
"I  think  I  can  see  the  grand  old  animal  standing  in  the  bull  park 
with  his  fine  head  and  placid  countenance,  his  beautifully-arched  neck, 
his  deep  and  roomy  chest,  his  short  and  wide-spread  legs,  his  hand- 
some shoulders  and  full  crops,  his  long,  straight  and  level  back,  his 
heavy  flank  and  deep  ribs,  his  well-formed,  beautiful  quarters  and 
heavy  thighs,  and  his  tail  so  nicely  set  as  to  give  symmetry  to  his 
whole  frame.  How  oft  on  my  youthful  mind  was  impressed  the  idea 
that  I  should  never  see  his  like  again  !  His  image  was  so  imprinted 
upon  my  memory  that  whenever  I  began  to  examine  a  prize  bull 
Ketton  came  full  in  view,  and  then  many  defects  were  soon  prominent. 
Still,  although  Mr.  Bates  used  Ketton  for  so  many  years,  a  Duchess 
heifer  or  bullock  could  easily  be  picked  out  of  his  herd.  There  was 
something  in  their  very  countenance  and  in  their  prominent  gait,  and, 
above  all,  in  their  superior  touch  like  none  else.  In  that  last  quality 
they  had  no  equals." 


80  A  HISTORY  OF  SHORT-HORN  CATTLE 

Duchess  COW.  Ketton  2d  was  out  of  an  unnamed 
COW  by  a  grandson  of  Favorite;  second  dam  by  J. 
Brown's  Eed  Bull,  but  Ketton  3d  was  a  Duchess, 
sired  by  Ketton  2d  out  of  Duchess  3d  by  Ketton  1st; 
second  dam  Duchess  1st  by  Comet.  The  earnestness 
with  which  Mr.  Bates  adopted  the  Bakewell  scheme 
of  in-and-in  breeding  is  here  apparent.  He  never- 
theless tried  the  experiment  of  breeding  to  Marske 
(418),  then  thirteen  years  old,  a  roan  of  Colling 
blood  that  Maynard  had  bought  at  the  Barmpton 
sale.  This  brought  in  a  dash  of  good  fresh  blood. 
Although  Marske  was  a  son  of  Favorite  (252)  his 
dam  was  Eobert  Colling 's  noted  cow  Old  Bright 
Eyes,  that  gave  fifteen  quarts  of  milk  twice  per  day. 
Bates  had  owned  a  sister  to  Marske  for  some  years, 
and  regarded  the  family  as  one  of  the  best  of  the 
day — always  of  course  excepting  his  favorite  Duch- 
esses. The  Marske  cows,  however,  did  not  fully 
meet  his  expectations,  and  he  sent  Duchess  3d,  by 
Ketton  1st,  to  Donkin's  to  be  bred  to  Duke  (226),  the 
Duchess  bull  by  Favorite.  This  was  getting  back 
direct  to  the  highly-prized  blood,  and  Bates  spoke 
to  Lord  Althorpe  of  this  mating  as  ''the  only  hope 
of  the  Short-horns."*  When  we  recall  the  fact  that 
the  fruits  of  a  long  period  of  careful  breeding  were 
at  that  time  in  the  hands  of  contemporary  breeders 


*"I  will  give  you  fifty  guineas  for  the  chance,  calf  or  no  calf," 
said  Lord  Althorpe.  "I  would  not  take  200  guineas  for  the  chance," 
was  Bates'  reply.  •  In  response  to  Lord  Althorpe's  invitation  Bates 
stayed  at  Wiseton  for  the  Doncaster  meeting  of  1820.  As  the  party 
were  leaving  the  dining-room  after  dessert  Lord  Althorpe,  turning  to 
one  of  his  friends,  said  of  Bates :  "Wonderful  man  !  Wonderful  man  ! 
He  might  become  anything,  even  Prime  Minister,  if  he  would  not  talk 
so  much." 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  81 

we  have  in  this  remark  a  characteristic  illustration 
of  the  arrogant  position  Mr.  Bates  was  wont  to  as- 
sume in  reference  to  his  own  cattle.  So  persistently 
did  he  assert  their  superiority  that  his  claims,  to- 
gether with  the  admitted  merit  of  his  stock,  at 
length  began  to  make  an  impression.*  Lord  Al- 
thorpe  became  one  of  his  patrons,-  hiring  the  young 
Duchess  bull  His  Grace  (311)  for  service  at  Wiseton. 
Mr.  Whitaker  had  hired  Ketton  3d  and  subsequently 
exchanged  him  to  Lord  Althorpe  for  His  Grace. 

From  Haltbn  to  Ridley  Hall. — Although  the  Erk- 
levington  property  had  been  bought  in  1811,  the 
lease  of  Halton  did  not  expire  until  1821,  and  Mr. 
Bates  continued  in  possession  there  until  that  date. 
Either  because  he  was  loath  to  leave  Northumber- 
land, or  because  his  Kirklevington  land  had  not  yet 
been  brought  into  the  desired  state  of  fertility,  he 
purchased  Ridley  Hall  on  the  South  Tyne,  to  which 
he  removed  from  Halton  in  May,  1821.  In  a  letter 
written  to  Jonas  Whitaker  in  1822  Bates  said: 

"I  have  now  two  bulls  (The  Earl  and  Duke  2d)  by  Duke  out 
of  Duchess  3d,  the  dam  of  Ketton  3d,  and  a  heifer  by  Marske 


♦James  Fawcett  of  Scaleby  Castle  gave  this  description  of  the 
Duchesses  about  this  date :  "The  character  of  the  Duchesses  at  this 
time  was  that  of  good  and  handsome  wide-spread  cows,  with  broad 
backs,  projecting  loins  and  ribs,  short  legs  and  prominent  bosoms. 
The  head  was  generally  inclined  rather  to  be  short  and  wide  than  long 
and  narrow,  with  full  clear  eyes  and  muzzle,  the  ears  rather  long  and 
hairy,  the  horns  of  considerable  length  but  of  free,  w^axy  quality.  They 
were  good  milkers,  and  had  for  the  most  part  a  robust,  healthy 
appearance.  Their  color  was  almost  uniformly  red,  with,  in  many  of 
them,  a  tendency  to  white  about  the  flank.  They  had  also  generally 
what  Mr.  Bates  called  the  Duchess  spot  of  white  above  the  nostril. 
A  strange  anomaly  occurred  in  the  case  of  Duchess  6th.  I  recollect 
her  being  calved.  She  was  very  handsome  and  of  the  most  orthodox 
color,  but  with  a  round  spot  of  several  inches  on  the  flank,  of  the 
deepest  black.  A^Tiether  this  indicated  a  harking  back  to  some  an- 
cestral Highland  alloy  or  a  freak  of  the  cow's  imagination  is  a  curious 
question." 


82  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOEX   CATTLE 

(Duchess  7th)  out  of  the  same  cow  and  bulled  by  The  Earl,  and 
for  the  three  I  would  not  take  3,000  guineas,  bad  as  times  are 
for  farmers.  Old  Ketton's  stock  were  the  up-making  of  me,  and 
now  that  I  have  again  got  the  blood  pure  of  other  mixtures  I 
shall  never  again  part  with  it  for  any  other  tribe  of  Short-horns 
I  have  ever  seen," 

The  "hope  of  the  Short-horns"  proved  to  be  a 
bull  which  was  named  The  Earl  (646)  and  used  ex- 
tensively for  four  or  five  years  at  Ridley  Hall.  He 
was  succeeded  by  his  son  2d  Hubback  (1423).  This 
bull  was  bred  from  a  cow  called  Acklam  Eed  Eose 
(or  Red  Rose  1st),  of  Colling  derivation,  that  Bates 
had  bought  from  a  Mr.  Hustler,  and  he  grew  into 
what  is  said  to  have  been  the  best  of  all  the  earlier 
bulls  used  in  the  herd.  His  dam  (from  whom  the 
Cambridge  Roses  and  the  American  Rose  of  Sharons 
descended)  possessed  all  old  Hubback 's  handling 
quality.  He  was  a  light-red  bull  said  to  have  been 
remarkably  perfect  in  his  points  and  evenly  and 
smoothly  fleshed.  His  stock  were  uniform  in  shape, 
color,  hair  and  handling,  "as  well  as  in  counte- 
nance." His  heifers  all  proved  good  milkers.  We 
have  in  his  case  another  illustration  of  the  fact  that 
strongly-bred  sires  very  often  get  their  best  stock 
from  cows  not  bred  "in  line."  Certain  it  is  that 
The  Earl's  best  calf  was  2d  Hubback  from  a  Red 
Rose  dam,  none  of  the  bull  calves  from  the  Duch- 
esses equaling  him.* 


*2d  Hubback's  measurements  at  eight  years  old  have  been  handed 
down  as  follows :  Girth  at  crops,  8  feet ;  girth  at  ribs,  9  feet  3  inches  ; 
girth  hooks  over  thick  of  flank,  8  feet  4  inches  ;  breadth  of  hooks,  2 
feet  6  inches  plumb  ;  length  from  breast  plumb  to  tail,  6  feet ;  length 
of  rumps,  2  feet ;  length  from  breast  to  crops,  2  feet ;  length  from 
crops  to  hooks,  2  feet ;  girth  of  fore  leg  below  the  knee,  8  inches ; 
girth  of  horns  at  root  next  the  head,  8  inches. 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  83 

It  is  said  that  while  at  Ridley  Hall  Bates  took  no 
steps  to  bring  his  herd  before  the  public.  He  rarely 
let  any  bulls  and  kept  no  bull  calves  except  those 
he  thought  he  might  require  for  himself  or  which 
his  friends  desired  for  their  own  herds.  He  used 
the  knife  freely  and  fed  off  his  steers,  as  well  as  such 
cows  and  heifers  as  did  not  settle  down  to  breeding 
at  an  early  age.  Many  a  good  female  was  undoubt- 
edly thus  sacrificed.  He  never  had  calves  born  dur- 
ing the  three  summer  months.  He  very  seldom  sent 
any  fat  cattle  to  the  market.  The  principal  butchers 
in  Newcastle  and  Shields  came  to  buy  his  stock  at 
home. 

Removal  to  Kirklevington. — May  1,  1830,  Mr. 
Bates  transferred  his  residence  and  breeding  opera- 
tions from  Ridley  Hall — which  he  had  sold — to  Kirk- 
levington; included  in  the  herd,  which  was  driven 
across  country,  being  "fifty  cows  and  heifers  by  2d 
Hubback,  all  as  alike  as  beans  and  leaving  a  great 
impression  wherever  they  passed. '^  2d  Hubback 
was  let  the  following  year  to  Whitaker,  and,  disap- 
pointed in  the  development  of  a  yearling  bull  from 
Duchess  22d  that  he  had  intended  to  use.  Bates 
bought  from  Whitaker  for  100  guineas  the  bull  Gam- 
bier  (2046)  by  Bertram  (1716),  a  bull  of  Colling 's 
Old  Daisy  tribe  that  had  just  been  sold  to  Col. 
Powell  for  shipment  to  America.  Gambier's  dam 
was  of  the  Western  Comet  or  Gentle  Kitty  blood. 
Gambler  did  not  satisfy  Bates  as  a  stock-getter,  and 
hearing  of  Mr.  Stephen's  roan  bull  of  the  old  Prin- 
cess blood  he  went  to  see  him. 


84  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

Belvedere  (1706)  of  the  Princess  blood.— In  tlie 
accepted  accounts  of  the  purchase  of  this  bull  we 
have  a  striking  example  of  Mr.  Bates  ^  supreme  self- 
confidence.  He  believed  in  the  Hubback  and  Duch- 
ess blood  above  everything  else.  H6  claimed  he  had 
founded  his  herd  upon  the  best  cow  of  the  breed  in 
her  day.  He  had  been  successful  with  Ketton  1st 
and  The  Earl,  both  Duchess  bulls,  and  with  2d  Hub- 
back,  son  of  a  Duchess  bull,  but  had  little  luck  with 
sires  tried  from  other  sources.  The  tribe  was  now 
very  closely  bred  and  he  seemed  at  a  loss  to  know 
how  to  proceed.  He  had  up  to  1831  bred  but  thirty- 
two  Duchess  cows  in  as  many  years.  In  brief  the 
tribe  had  not  been  prolific,  and  whenever  cows 
passed  over  a  year  or  two  he  fed  them  off.  He 
would  not  admit  that  other  contemporary  bloods 
were  worthy  of  being  crossed  upon  his  Duchesses. 
He  had  spoken  his  mind  freely  concerning  the  breed- 
ing of  nearly  all  the  other  herds  in  the  district  and 
had  awakened  many  antagonisms.  He  would  not 
use  anything  that  carried  the  so-called  ''alloy'* 
blood.  In  short  he  was  seriously  hampered  in  his 
search  for  sires  by  reason  of  the  fact  that  he  had 
"blacklisted"  nearly  all  the  available  material.  At 
the  same  time  he  now  required  fresh  blood. 

He  had  long  held  in  respect  the  old  Robert  Colling 
Princess  strain.  The  original  cow  of  that  name  car- 
ried a  double  cross  of  Favorite  on  top  of  Hubback. 
This  was  a  combination  which  in  his  radical  opinion 
constituted  a  prime  source  of  Short-horn  excellence. 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  85 

He  was  not  aware  that  any  bull  descending  direct 
from  this  base  without  admixture  of  (to  him)  objec- 
tionable blood  was  at  that  late  date  obtainable.  By 
chance,  however,  he  learned  that  John  Stephenson 
of  Wolviston  had  a  roan  bull  so  descended,  and  he 
lost  no  time  in  looking  him  up.  His  purchase  of 
Duchess  1st  at  the  Ketton  sale  on  account  of  her 
breeding  rather  than  her  individual  merit  illus- 
trated his  unfaltering  faith  in  the  doctrine  that 
''blood  will  tell.''  With  this  case  in  mind  it  is  rea- 
sonably certain,  in  view  of  the  trouble  he  was  now  in 
with  his  Duchesses,  that  Bates  went  over  to  Wolvis- 
ton prepared  to  buy  this  precious  Princess  bull — 
"the  last  of  a  long  race  of  well-descended  Short- 
horns"— fairly  regardless  of  the  appearance  of  the 
animal  himself.  At  any  rate  we  are  told  that  on 
passing  by  the  bull-barn  the  head  of  Belvedere 
(1706) — for  such  was  his  name  and  herd-book  num- 
ber— was  visible,  and  that  the  moment  Bates  caught 
sight  of  it  he  expressed  a  positive  determination  to 
secure  the  bull.  Not  every  man  will  buy  a  breeding 
bull  solely  for  the  blood  that  flows  in  his  veins.  Still 
less  would  the  average  man  be  likely  to  settle  so  im- 
portant a  matter  by  a  mere  glimpse  of  a  bull 's  coun- 
tenance. Bates  had  his  own  peculiar  ideas  about 
breeding,  however.  He  was  not  governed  by  the  or- 
dinary rules  observed  by  his  contemporaries,  and  his 
swift  decision  to  buy  at  any  price  this  roan  bull  at 
Wolviston — evidently  made  as  soon  as  Stephenson 
had  told  him  how  Belvedere  was  bred,  and  before  he 


86  A   HISTORY    OF   SHOET-HORN    CATTLE 

had  seen  the  bull  at  all — may  be  cited  as  one -of  the 
instances  where  he  manifested  real  genius  as  a  cat- 
tle-breeder. Belvedere's  sire,  Waterloo  (2816),  and 
dam,  Angelina  2d,  were  own  brother  and  sister ;  the 
pedigree  therefore  represented  an  extraordinary  con- 
centration of  the  blood  of  old  Princess*  and  Favorite 
(252). 

There  was  really  something  of  a  bull  went  with 
that  head  and  pedigree.  Belvedere  was  six  years 
old  at  the  time  Bates  bought  him.  Stephenson  was 
allowed  to  name  his  own  price  and  was  modest 
enough  to  place  it  at  £50.  This  occurred  June  22, 
1831.  The  next  day  the  bull  was  driven  to  Kirk- 
levington.  No  sooner  had  Bates  got  him  than  he 
announced  that  he  would  by  the  union  of  the  Prin- 
cess and  Duchess  blood  produce  ''Short-horns  such 
as  the  world  has  never  seen,''  and  in  the  opinion  of 
some  capable  judges  he  very  nearly  made  good  his 
boast.  The  bull  with  which  he  boldly  proclaimed  he 
would  make  the  ' '  hit "  of  his  life  as  a  breeder  was  a 
big  one,  possessing  extreme  length  and  heavy  shoul- 
ders, but  was  a  yellow-roan,  evidently  full  of  quality; 


*The  Princess  cow  had  been  bought  originally  from  Robert  Colling 
by  Sir  Henry  Vane  Tempest  at  the  reputed  great  price  of  700  guineas. 
Sir  Henry's  widow,  the  Countess  of  Antrim,  had  the  cow  bought  at 
Wynyard  sale  in  1813,  and  sent  her  to  Barmpton  to  be  bred  to  the  bull 
Wellington  (680),  a  son  of  Comet  (155).  Colling  told  her  agent  that 
he  "never  allowed  any  gentleman's  cows"  to  be  served  by  his  bull, 
and  so  could  not  comply  with  Lady  Antrim's  request.  The  agent  of  the 
Countess  started  to  return  to  Wynyard,  when  Colling's  servant  came 
running  after  him  to  say  that  he  had  told  his  master  that  Princess 
was  not  a  gentleman's  cow  but  a  lady's  and  that  Colling  was  so 
amused  at  the  sly  intercession  that  he  at  once  waived  his  rule  upon 
the  point  of  giving  his  bull's  service  to  other  breeders  and  would  per- 
mit Princess  to  be  bred.  The  thrifty  Yorkshire  man,  however,  did 
not  permit  his  gallantry  to  prevent  his  charging  her  ladyship  ten 
good  guineas  for  the  service.  The  produce  of  this  coupling  was  the 
bull  Young  Wynyard,   sire  of  Waterloo    (2816). 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  87 

**soft  as  a  mole  to  the  touch."  He  had  the  "hot- 
blood  temper"  of  his  sire  Waterloo,  and  it  took  three 
men  to  get  him  safely  started  off  down  Sandy  Lane 
the  morning  he  left  Stephenson's  to  begin  the  work 
of  regenerating  the  Duchesses. 

The  breeding  of  bulls  to  their  own  dams  or  daugh- 
ters was  a  common  occurrence  at  Kirklevington 
prior  to  the  time  of  Belvedere.  None  but  inbred 
Duchess  bulls  had  been  used  upon  cows  of  this  favor- 
ite family  except  Marske  (418),  of  the  Bright  Eyes 
blood,  and  2d  Hubback,  by  the  Duchess  bull  The 
Earl  (646)  out  of  Hustler's  Red  Rose.  The  cross  of 
Belvedere  upon  the  Duchess  and  other  tribes  which 
Mr.  Bates  had  meantime  acquired  proved  the  sound- 
ness of  his  judgment.  The  Princess  bull  was  used 
extensively  until  twelve  years  old  and  then  slaugh- 
tered. This  was  in  1837.  He  did  much  for  the  herd, 
siring,  among  other  noted  animals,  the  famous  Duch- 
ess 34th,  which,  bred  back  to  her  own  sire,  gave  Mr. 
Bates  his  greatest  bull — Duke  of  Northumberland 
(1940).  The  Duke  was  but  two  years  old  at  the  time 
Belvedere  was  sent  off,  so  that  an  elder  son  of  Bel- 
vedere—Short Tail  (2621),  from  Duchess  29th  (and 
said  to  have  been  a  better  bull  than  his  sire) — was 
placed  in  service.  His  dam.  Duchess  29th,  was  got 
by  2d  Hubback  out  of  one  of  that  bull 's  own  daugh- 
ters. Duchess  19th,  so  that  the  practice  of  breeding 
from  close  affinities  went  steadily  on. 

The  cross  of  Whitaker's  Norfolk.— In  1834  Felix 
Renick  and  his  colleagues,  representing  the  Ohio  Im- 


88  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOKT-HORX   CATTLE 

porting  Co.,  visited  England  to  buy  Short-horns. 
Bates  showed  them  every  attention  and  offered  them 
some  of  his  best  cows  and  heifers,  including  Duchess 
34th.  He  seems  to  have  indulged  his  loquacity  to  its 
fullest  extent  upon  his  American  visitors,  tendering 
advice  freely  as  to  the  other  English  herds  of  that 
period.  Among  other  characteristic  "pointers" 
given  was  one  to  the  effect  that  Belvedere's  sire, 
Waterloo  (2816),  then  in  his  sixteenth  year,  and 
Norfolk  (2377)  were  ''the  only  two  bulls  besides  Bel- 
vedere that  were  in  the  least  likely  to  get  good 
stock.''  What  the  Americans  bought  on  this  mem- 
orable visit  will  be  dealt  with  in  a  subsequent  chap- 
ter. 

Norfolk  (2377),  a  handsome  roan  bull,  was  then 
but  two  years  old.  He  had  been  bred  by  Mr.  Whit- 
aker  and  sold  to  Mr.  F.  H.  Fawkes  of  Farnley  Hall. 
His  sire  was  Mr.  Bates'  2d  Hubback,  and  his  dam 
Nonpareil  by  Magnet  (2240),  running  down  through 
the  Colling  blood  to  a  Hubback  cow  at  the  base. 
That  Bates  was  sincere  in  his  advice  to  the  Ameri- 
cans cannot  be  doubted,  for  shortly  afterward  he 
sent  five  of  his  own  best  cows  to  be  bulled  by  Nor- 
folk. But  three  of  these  stood  to  the  sei^vice — to- 
wit:  Duchess  33d,  Waterloo  and  Blanche — which 
circumstance  was  regarded  by  Mr.  Bates  at  the  time 
as  fortunate,  the  immediate  results  not  proving  satis- 
factory. This  paralleled  the  subsequent  experience 
of  John  Booth  in  breeding  Bracelet  to  Mussulman; 
but,  as  in  the  case  of  Booth's  Buckingham,  when 


MR.    BATES'    CLEVELAND    IAD    (3407)    AT    FIVE    YEARS'   OLD. 


WniTAKER'S  NORFOLK    (2377).   AT  FIVE   YEARS  OLD. 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  89 

the  percentage  of  fresh  blood  was  reduced  so  that 
it  was  quite  subordinate  to  the  main  current,  its 
stimulating  effect  became  apparent.  The  heifer 
Duchess  38th,  dropped  by  Duchess  33d  to  Norfolk, 
gave  rise  to  the  entire  Thorndale,  Geneva  and 
Oneida  Duchess  groups;  and  the  Norfolk-Waterloo 
heifer  founded  a  family  that  has  occupied  a  promi- 
nent place  in  the  progress  of  the  breed.  Norfolk 
was  individually  one  of  the  great  bulls  of  his  time, 
and  as  he  was  a  son  of  2d  Hubback  his  character 
supplied  striking  proof  of  the  value  of  Bates  bulls 
for  service  in  other  herds.  He  had  substance,  flesh 
and  a  heavy  coat  of  hair,  showing  greater  thickness 
and  compactness  of  conformation  than  Belvedere. 

The  Matchem  Cow  and  the  Oxfords.^In  April, 
1831,  Mr.  Bates  had  attended  a  sale  of  ^'improved'' 
Short-horn  cattle,  held  by  a  Mr.  John  Brown  of 
Nunstainton,  near  Chilton,  in  the  County  of  Durham, 
and  bought  seventeen  cows  and  heifers  at  an  average 
of  £9  5s.  Among  these  was  a  white  four-year-old  by 
Matchem  (2281),  for  which  he  paid  £15  10s.  Bates 
called,  her  Matchem  Cow.  Her  sire  was  the  same 
Mason-bred  bull  whose  blood  had  been  previously 
introduced  into  the  Booth  herd  at  Killerby.  Her 
dam .  was  by  the  Princess  bull  Young  Wynyard 
(2859).  Her  breeding  back  of  this  has  not  been 
traced,  but  she  must  have  shown  conclusive  evi- 
dence of  pure  Short-horn  descent;  for,  as  has  been 
well  said  of  Mr.  Bates,  ''he  trusted  very  much  to  the 
evidence  of  his  eye,  which,  considering  the  subse- 


90  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

quent  excellence  of  his  stock  and  the  great  impulse 
of  decided  improvement  they  have  given  to  all  cattle 
with  which  they  have  come  to  be  paired,  must  have 
had  within  it  the  light  of  decided  genius. ' '  At  nine 
years  of  age  Matchem  Cow  produced  at  Kirkleving- 
ton  a  bull  by  Short  Tail  (2621),  and  in  1838  another 
by  the  same  sire.  These  two  roan  bulls,  recorded  as 
Cleveland  Lad  (3407)  and  Cleveland  Lad  2d  (3408), 
were  used  in  the  herd  and  constituted  the  Oxford 
outcross  upon  the  Duchesses.  Bates  had  always  de- 
nounced the  Mason  blood,  w^ith  which  the  Matchem 
Cow  was  doubtless  well  filled,  but  the  progeny  of 
the  cow  by  his  own  bulls  satisfied  him  nevertheless, 
and  the  Cleveland  Lads  were  not  only  used  as  stock 
bulls,  but  her  daughters,  Oxford  Premium  Cow  and 
Oxford  2d,  were  retained  and  became  the  ances- 
tresses of  the  tribe  since  known  as  the  Oxfords.  The 
line  of  the  former  has  now  been  extinct  for  many 
years. 

A  show-yard  disappointment. — Mr.  Bates  sent 
seven  head  of  cattle  to  the  newly-established  York- 
shire Show  in  1838,  headed  by  the  two-year-old 
double-Belvedere  Duchess  bull  Duke  of  Northumber- 
land (1940),  and  including  a  pair  of  two-year-old 
Duchess  heifers.  Duchesses  41st  and  42d,  both  by 
Belvedere ;  a  yearling  Duchess  heifer,  Duchess  43d, 
also  with  a  double  dip  of  Belvedere;  the  roan  four- 
year-old  cow  Red  Rose  13th,  by  Belvedere;  the 
white  three-year-old  cow  Short-horns  4th,  by  Bel- 
vedere, and  a  three-year-old  from  the  Matchem  Cow, 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  91 

got  by  Duke  of  Cleveland  (1937),  a  bull  that  bad 
been  dropped  by  Duchess  26th  to  a  service  by  Mr. 
Whitaker's  Bertram  (1716).  The  Duke  of  North- 
umberland received  first  in  his  class  against  eight 
competitors,  but  was  passed  over  entirely  in  the  bull 
championship  contest;  first  prize  in  a  ring  of  fifteen 
entries  going  to  Earl  Spencer's  Hecatomb  (2102),  of 
Mason  blood,  and  second  to  Mr.  Wiley's  Carcase 
(3285),  afterward  imported  to  America.  This  was 
a  hard  blow,  and  it  was  contended  by  Mr.  Bates  that 
Mr.  John  Grey,  the  judge,  was  improperly  influenced 
by  being  beholden  to  Earl  Spencer  for  substantial 
business  favors.  With  his  females,  however,  Mr. 
Bates  was  more  successful.  In  the  aged-cow  class 
(entries  to  be  in  calf  or  in  milk)  Eed  Rose  13th  was 
passed  over,  the  ribbon  going  to  John  Colling 's 
Eosanne.  In  the  three-year-old  ring  (also  in  calf 
or  in  milk)  Short-horns  4th — a  fine  dairy  cow — was 
first  and  the  Matchem  heifer  second  in  a  class  of  six. 
In  a  class  of  ten  two-year-old  heifers  Duchess  41st 
won,  and  in  yearling  heifers  (eight)  Duchess  42d 
was  second.  These  ratings  did  not  satisfy  Mr. 
Bates.  He  felt  that  his  three  best  animals,  *'The 
Duke,''  Red  Rose  13th  and  Duchess  i3d,  had  been 
rejected  unfairly.  He  therefore  determined  to 
show  at 

The  Oxford  Royal  of  1839.— When  the  time  came 
Red  Rose  13th  was  not  in  a  fit  condition  to  travel, 
so  Duke  of  Northumberland  and  Duchess  43d  were 
started  along  with  Duchess  42d  and  the  Matchem 


92  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

heifer.  They  were  shipped  by  steamer  from 
Middlesbrough  to  London.* 

This  was  the  first  meeting  of  the  English  National 
Show.  The  exhibition  was  held  upon  the  farm  of 
Mr.  John  Pinfold,  and  the  entries  were  not  numer- 
ous. The  Kirklevington  cattle  were  the  center  of 
attraction  in  the  Short-horn  class,  and  Mr.  Bates 
had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  Duke  of  Northumberland 
head  a  list  of  seven  bulls ;  the  Matchem  Cow 's  daugh- 
ter a  class  of  four;  Duchess  42d  a  class  of  three  two- 
year-olds,  and  Duchess  43d  a  class  of  nine  yearlings. 
That  these  were  a  beautiful  lot  of  Short-horns  is 
amply  attested.  Mr.  George  Drewry,  the  late  vet- 
eran herd  manager  of  the  Duke  of  Devonshire  at 
Holker  Hall,  writing  after  a  lapse  of  fifty  years, 
said:  "The  two  things  that  I  remember  best  at 
Oxford  were  the  Duke  of  Northumberland  and 
Duchess  43d.  These  I  still  think  were  the  best  two 
Short-horns  I  ever  saw."  In  honor  of  the  young 
Matchem  Cow's  victory  she  was  here  dubbed  the 
"Oxford  Premium  Cow" — hence  the  tribal  name. 

At  a  dinner  given  in  the  quadrangle  of  Queen's 
College  during  this  show  Daniel  Webster,  who  was 
a  visitor  at  the  exhibition,  said,  in  a  speech  which 
held  closely  the  attention  of  the  audience: 

"In  the  country  to  which  I  belong  societies  like  this  exist  on 


*  "Bates  went  with  them  in  the  same  steamship  from  Middlesbrough 
to  London  and  himself  saw  their  treatment.  In  landing  at  London 
Duke  of  Northumberland  slipped  and  lay  across  the  gangway.  Bates 
patted  him  on  the  head,  calling  him  'poor  boy,  poor  boy'  and  the  huge 
animal  remained  perfectly  passive  until  he  was  rescued.  Fortunately 
The  Duke  received  no  injury.  The  four  Short-horns  proceeded  from 
London  in  a  freight  boat  by  the  Aylesbury  branch  of  the  Grand  Junc- 
tion Canal." — Cadwallader  Bates. 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  93 

a  small  scale  in  many  parts,  and  they  have  been  found  to  be  very 
highly  beneficial  and  advantageous.  They  give  rewards  for  speci- 
mens of  fine  animals  and  the  improvement  of  implements  of  hus- 
bandry which  may  tend  to  facilitate  the  art  of  agriculture,  and 
which  were  not  before  known.  They  turn  their  attention  to 
everything  which  tends  to  improve  the  state  of  the  farmer,  and, 
I  may  add,  among  other  means  of  advancing  his  condition,  that 
they  have  imported  largely  to  America  from  the  best  breeds  of 
animals  in  England,  and  from  the  gentleman  who  has  been  so 
fortunate  as  to  take  so  many  prizes  to-day.  From  his  stock,  on 
the  banks  of  the  Ohio  and  its  tributary  stream,  I  have  seen  fine 
animals  raised  which  have  been  supplied  from  his  farms  in  York- 
shire and  Northumberland." 

Prizes  at  Cambridge. — Having,  as  he  tliouglit,  vin- 
dicated the  honor  of  his  Duchesses  at  Oxford,  Mr. 
Bates  decided  not  to  risk  fitting  and  showing  any 
of  them  the  following  year.  Still  smarting  under 
the  defeat  of  Eed  Kose  13th  at  York,  he  sent  her 
to  the  Royal  at  Cambridge,  along  with  Cleveland 
Lad  (3407)  and  a  young  Waterloo  bull  calf  by  Duke 
of  Northumberland.  Eed  Rose  here  had  her  re- 
venge, winning  first  in  a  class  of  six  cows.  Her 
name  was  then  changed  to  Cambridge  Premium 
Cow.  The  Waterloo  calf  also  won,  but  Cleveland 
Lad  was  turned  down,  the  prize  falling  to  Hero 
(4021),  a  roan  owned  in  Norfolk;  a  bull  which  Cad- 
wallader  Bates  asserts  was  ^' never  heard  of  before 
nor  since.''*  His  picture  may  be  found  in  Coates' 
Herd  Book,  Vol.  IV.  Cleveland  Lad  had  not  been 
specially  fitted  for  show;  and  fat,  then  as  now,  was 


*It  is  related  that  "a  gentleman  came  up  to  Bates  in  the  show-yard 
and  said  'Had  I  been  blindfolded  I  could  have  told  all  of  your  cattle 
by  the  feel  of  my  fingers.'  'As  the  stewards  of  the  yard  hear  your 
remarks,  I  hope  in  the  future  the  judges  will  be  blindfolded,'  was 
Bates'  reply." 


94  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

a  prime  necessity.  The  prizes  won  by  the  Kirklev- 
ington  cattle  at  the  two  great  university  cities  led 
to  many  inquiries  for  the  blood. 

A  ''brush"  with  the  Booths.— In  1841  Cleveland 
Lad  was  sent  to  the  Liverpool  Royal  alone,  he  being 
the  only  member  of  the  show  herds  left  without 
"vindication";  and  he  was  there  placed  by  the 
judges  at  the  head  of  the  bulls  on  exhibition.  That 
same  season  Mr.  Bates  sent  Oxford  Premium  Cow 
to  the  Highland  at  Berwick,  but  she  was  beaten  by 
John  Booth's  Xecklace,  on  the  ground  that  the 
Bates  cow  was  "deficient  in  girth  and  gaudy  be- 
hind." He  also  showed  at  the  Yorkshire  of  1841, 
receiving  the  bull  championship  on  Cleveland  Lad. 
Duke  of  Cambridge — the  Waterloo  calf  shown  in 
1840 — here  won  first  as  a  yearling  over  a  young 
bull  from  Killerby  and  others.  The  honors  of  the 
three-year-old  cow  class  were  divided  between  Duch- 
esses 42d  and  43d. 

It  is  stated  that  the  jovial  John  Booth  bantered 
his  esteemed  contemporary  the  belligerent  Bates 
upon  this  occasion  about  his  backwardness  about 
exhibiting  longer  at  leading  shows,  and  inf erentially 
challenged  him  to  show  a  cow  at  the  next  year's 
Royal.  These  two  men  were  clearly  at  the  head  of 
their  profession  at  the  time,  but  despite  their  rival- 
ries were  good  friends.  The  meeting  took  place  at 
York  in  1842,  and  to  the  infinite  satisfaction  of  the 
great  champion  of  the  Duchesses  a  cow  of  that  line 
in  her  tenth  year  had  the  extraordinary  honor  of 


THOMAS  BATES  AXD  THE  DUCHESSES  95 

beating  Killerby's  great  Necklace.  The  story  of 
this  memorable  contest  is  told  by  Mr.  Bates'  people 
in  the  following  language : 

"There  was  in  milk  at  Kirklevington  a  ten-year-old  unregen- 
erate  dairy  cow,  which  had  never  been  shown  nor  had  ever 
been  intended  to  be.  When  about  twelve  months  old  she  had 
broken  her  leg,  and  as  Bates  would  not  employ  a  veterinary, 
Thomas  Bell  set  it  with  the  help  of  the  journeyman  miller.  For 
some  years  she  had  scarcely  ever  tasted  a  turnip  in  the  winter 
months.  Since  May  Day  she  had  been  going  in  the  ordinary 
cow  pasture,  and  was  as  ignorant  as  any  Northern  farmer  of 
what  a  1)011716  iouche  meant.  Without  any  preliminary  training 
at  all  old  Brokenleg  (Duchess  34th)  walked  by  road  about  forty 
miles  to  York,  in  the  company  of  her  son,  Duke  of  Northum- 
berland (1940).  The  judges  ordered  the  fifteen  cows  entered 
to  parade  twice  around  the  ring,  and  then  told  old  'Tommy 
Myers,'  the  Kirklevington  cowman,  to  stand  on  one  side  with 
Brokenleg.  A  murmur  of  indignation  broke  from  the  people 
present,  who  imagined  she  was  being  excluded  from  the  prize 
list. 

"Myers  remained  for  an  hour  or  so  thinking,  as  he  said,  'they 
were  gannin'  to  use  me  very  badly,'  while  the  judges  kept  dis- 
puting over  Necklace  and  one  of  Mr.  Mason  Hopper's  cows. 
'They  could  not  rightly  judge  of  stars  in  the  presence  of  the 
sun.'  Myers,  who  had  supposed  they  were  determining  which 
was  to  be  first  and  which  second,  was  greatly  relieved  when  they 
sent  Brokenleg  'the  white  rose'  and  placed  Necklace  behind  her. 
When  the  crowning  trophy  was  placed  on  Duchess  34th's  head 
there  was  a  burst  of  applause.  She  was  as  like  the  first  Duchess 
as  two  animals  could  be,  in  color  and  in  that  grandeur  of  style 
and  appearance,  such  as  no  animal  ever  had  except  a  Duchess. 

"Bates  had  good  reason  to  be  satisfied  with  the  result  of  the 
tug-of-war  when  Killerby  met  Kirklevington.  It  was  the  only 
challenge  he  ever  accepted.  That  the  decision  was  perfectly  just 
was  confirmed  by  Mr.  Eastwood,  a  breeder  who  had  as  much 
admiration  for  one  line  of  stock  as  for  the  other,  so  long  as  the 
animal  was  a  good  one,  but  who  thought  that  a  little  weight 
should  be  allowed  to  fashion.     Mr.  John  Booth  asked  him  why 


96  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

it  was  that  Brokenleg  beat  Necklace.  'Well,'  he  replied,  'I  think, 
Mr.  Booth,  you  are  fairly  beaten;  if  I  had  been  one  of  the  judges 
I  should  have  done  the  same.'  'Then,'  said  Booth,  'I  am  satis- 
fied.' Bates  came  up  shortly  afterward  and  asked  Eastwood 
the  same  question.  'I  think  you  won  fairly,  Mr.  Bates.'  'I  am 
pleased  to  hear  you  say  that.'  'I  told  Mr.  Booth  so.'  'Then,' 
said  Bates,  'I  am  more  pleased  still.'  and  the  great  rival  breeders 
remained  the  best  of  friends. 

This  was  indeed  one  of  the  most  remarkable  old- 
time  show-yard  events  of  which  any  record  has  been 
handed  down  from  the  last  generation,  and  proves 
the  genuine  merit  of  the  Bates  cattle  of  the  early 
days.    This  cow,  Duchess  34th,  was  the  dam  of 

Duke  of  Northumberland  (1940). — The  produc- 
tion of  this  famous  bull  has  always  been  considered 
the  crowning  triumph  of  Thomas  Bates  ^  career  as 
a  cattle-breeder.  He  was  the  acknowledged  cham- 
pion bull  of  England  in  1842.  Bates,  writing  of  him 
in  1839,  had  said:  '^I  can  state  from  measurements 
I  took  of  the  celebrated  Comet  (155)  that  The  Duke 
was  nearly  double  his  weight  both  at  ten  months 
and  at  two  years  old,''  adding,  in  allusion  to  his 
well-known  affection  for  the  Duchess  family:  ''I 
selected  this  tribe  of  Short-horns  as  superior  to  all 
other  cattle,  not  only  as  small  consumers  of  food  but 
as  great  growers  and  quick  grazers,  with  the  finest 
quality  of  beef,  and  also  giving  a  great  quantity  of 
very  rich  milk/'  The  live  weight  of  The  Duke  at 
three  years  and  eight  months  was  2,520  lbs. 

Mr.  Bates  has  left  the  following  statement  con- 
cerning him  and  his  family,  which  will  be  of  interest 
in  this  connection.    It  was  addressed  to  a  publishing 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  97 

house  about  to  produce  portraits  of  "The  Duke'' 
and  his  dam: 

"I  named  this  bull  Duke  of  Northumberland  to  perpetuate  the 
commemoration  that  it  is  to  the  judgment  and  attention  of  the 
ancestors  of  the  present  Duke  of  Northumberland  that  this  coun- 
try and  the  world  are  indebted  for  a  tribe  of  cattle  which  Mr. 
Charles  Colling  repeatedly  assured  me  was  the  best  he  ever  had 
or  ever  saw.  As  a  proof  that  they  have  improved  under  my  care 
I  may  mention  that  the  Duke  of  Northumberland's  dam  consumes 
one-third  less  food  than  my  first  Duchess,  purchased  in  1804,  and 
that  her  milk  yields  one-third  more  butter  for  each  quart  of  milk, 
while  there  is  also  a  greater  growth  of  carcass  and  an  increased 
aptitude  to  fatten. 

"It  is  now  above  sixty  years  since  I  became  impressed  with 
the  importance  of  selecting  the  very  best  animals  to  breed  from. 
For  twenty-five  years  afterward  I  lost  no  opportunity  of  ascer- 
taining the  merits  of  the  various  tribes  of  Short-horns.  It  was 
only  then  that  this  could  be  done.  There  is  scarce  a  vestige  now 
remaining  of  the  many  excellent  cattle  then  in  existence.  Since 
I  became  possessed  of  the  tribe  I  have  never  used  any  bulls  that 
had  not  Duchess  blood — except  Belvedere  (1706),  and  he  was  the 
last  bull  of  a  long  race  of  well-descended  Short-horns — without 
perceiving  immediately  the  error. 

"As  the  post  hour  draws  near  I  must  conclude  in  order  to 
enable  you  to  print  this  letter  in  the  same  paper  with  the  por- 
traits of  'The  Duke'  and  his  dam.  I  do  not  expect  any  artist  can 
do  them  justice.  They  must  be  seen,  and  the  more  they  are 
examined  the  more  their  excellence  will  appear  to  a  true  con- 
noisseur, but  there  are  few  good  judges — a  hundred  men  may  he 
found  to  make  a  Prime  Minister  to  one  fit  to  judge  of  the  real 
merits  of  Short-horns.'' 

Importance  of  tabulated  pedigrees. — If  Mr.  Bates 
had  submitted  for  publication  along  with  this  eulogy 
of  the  Duchess  family  the  subjoined  tabulation  of 
the  Duke  of  Northumberland's  pedigree  the  propri- 
ety of  substituting  an  account  of  the  merits  of  the 


98  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Princess  for  that  of  the  Duchess  line  might  have 
been  suggested. 

DUKE    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND     (1940) 


t^?0  HP*  i-1>-           K!tf  't:'t3 

-^cii  -^cc  _oc  -^oB  .^c^  -^-;^D 

"^Il^a  ^^'BjQ  i^sw  ^5CB  4^25  c:2-B 

OTto   M  *-M  2,  ocB    2-  0^^    ^  <^g    '^  «:■:::;» 

O  -»c  .«S^B  «^^W  -B"  -CR« 


'M5"  :2-p        -i2p        -SJo 


OS  O^  >*<  Ct3  >-=  'Tsl  ct  ^5: 

B-x   =•„  2  cr  tro  p  B  c  S  -"^  5  r  S  ?  2  -"  2  -■  S  :io  ;^  2  -■  2  -"  2  ^S 

s  ^  #.  I  2  6  ^:  jl  ^g  I  ^  -^  =  |:  iii  |.?  '<;?'<  7 1  -  ,^:  :?•<?■<;?  p- 

'^ti^SOB- '^'^   5^=    c2   S^-S^toctopro^^CTB^tofcioPtcvsoi 


Blot  out  the  Princess  blood  and  the  dashes  of  Red 
Rose  and  Marske  from  this  pedigree  and  there  re- 
mains but  a  "thin  red  line''  to  preach  a  Duchess 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  99 

sermon  from.  "The  best  bull  of  his  time/*  the  best 
bull  the  keen-witted  laird  of  Kirklevington  ever 
bred,  the  bull  for  which  almost  any  sum  could  have 
been  had,  was  indeed  a  credit  to  the  skill  and  judg- 
ment of  Thomas  Bates,  but  he  carried  only  25  per 
cent  of  Duchess  blood.  Moreover  his  dam,  the  prize 
cow  Duchess  34th — 50  per  cent  Princess  blood — was 
a  better  beast  than  either  Duchess  29th  or  20th.  It 
is  apparent,  therefore,  that  Princess  on  Duchess  re- 
sulted, as  Bates  had  predicted,  in  producing  Short- 
horns superior  even  to  the  original  Duchesses. 

AYe  need  but  print  the  same  Duke  of  Northumber- 
land pedigree  in  the  regulation  Short-horn  Herd 
Book  and  Short-horn  catalogue  style  to  show  how  a 
miscarriage  of  justice  in  estimating  family  credits 
has  been  bred  and  fostered  by  a  pernicious  system 
of  pedigree  registration;  a  system  that  so  palpably 
exaggerates  the  relative  importance  of  a  certain 
portion  of  the  maternal  ancestry  that  it  seems 
strange  that  it  should  still  be  tolerated. 

Duke  of  Northumberland,  roan,  calved  Oct.  15,  1835;  bred  by 
T.  Bates;  got  by  Belvedere  (1706),  dam  Duchess  34th  by  Belve- 
dere (1706);  second  dam  Duchess  29th  by  2d  Hubback;  third 
dam  Duchess  20th  by  The  Earl  (1511);  fourth  dam  Duchess 
8th  by  Marske  (418) ;  fifth  dam  Duchess  2d  by  Ketton  1st  (709) ; 
sixth  dam  Duchess  1st  by  Comet  (155);  seventh  dam  Duchess 
by  Daisy  Bull   (186);   eighth  dam  by  Favorite   (252),  etc. 

Clearly  one  would  say  this  is  a  Duchess  bull.  He 
was  not,  however,  so  far  as  blood  elements  are  con- 
cerned, entitled  to  such  appellation  at  all,  as  we  have 
already  shown.  Just  how  much  the  Stanwick  Cow, 
or  ''mv  first  Duchess,''  or  the  ^^ ancestors  of  the 


100  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

present  Duke  of  Northumberland"  had  to  do  with 
the  merit  of  this  great  bull  must  be  self-evident  from 
our  tabulation.  Justice  compels  the  placing  of  the 
laurel  wreath  rather  upon  Thomas  Bates  and  his 
great  "find"  at  Wolviston,  the  Princess  bull  Belve- 
dere. The  merit  of  the  earlier  Duchesses  had  been 
largely  lost  through  excessive  inbreeding.  The  Prin- 
cess-and-Oxford  crossed  stock  that  acquired  fame 
under  the  Duchess  name  in  the  Short-horn  world 
were  in  truth  Bates  cattle,  but  had  only  a  small  per- 
centage of  the  old  Duchess  blood. 

The  responsibility  for  the  existing  scheme  of 
Short-horn  tribal  nomenclature  and  prevailing  meth- 
ods of  herd-book  registration  does  not  rest  entirely 
upon  Mr.  Bates.  We  only  use  this  case  as  an  illus- 
tration of  the  fact  that  the  system  is  calculated  to 
befog  rather  than  enlighten  those  who  seek  to 
fathom  the  depths  of  Short-horn  pedigree  records. 
One  has  but  to  transcribe  to  a  tabulated  blank  the 
pedigree  of  any  animal  recorded  in  the  Short-horn 
Herd  Books  of  Great  Britain  and  America  to  see  at 
a  glance  what  an  absurdly  small  proportion  of  the 
ancestry  is  presented.  Those  who  have  all  the  herd 
books  at  their  command  can  under  the  present  sys- 
tem, it  is  true,  ferret  out  the  facts  as  to  the  blood 
lines  of  their  cattle,  but  until  the  tabulation  method 
is  adopted  for  catalogues  and  transfer  certificates 
the  average  buyer  will  possess  but  the  mere  shadow 
of  a  pedigree. 

The  Waterloos. — During  the  same  year  that  Mr. 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  101 

Bates  bought  Belvedere  and  the  Matchem  Cow  he 
had  purchased  from  Thomas  Parkin  of  Thorpe,  in 
the  County  of  Durham,  ^'a  short-legged,  wide,  red 
cow,  with  the  look  of  a  pure  Short-horn. ' '  She  car- 
ried a  double  cross  of  the  Princess  bull  Waterloo 
(2816),  and  was  doubtless  descended  all  around 
from  a  well-bred  ancestry.  That  she  was  a  cow  of 
marked  individual  merit  seems  clear  from  the  fact 
that  she  was  one  of  the  five  ''top''  females  chosen 
to  be  sent  to  be  bred  to  Norfolk  (2377).  A  heifer 
(Waterloo*  3d)  resulted  from  that  service,  and  she 
became  the  ancestress  of  a  fine  family  of  cattle  still 
bearing  her  name.  The  Waterloos  were  for  years 
distinguished  for  their  thick,  mellow  flesh  and  furry 
coats,  and  during  the  days  when  Short-horn  fan- 
ciers were  paying  all  sorts  of  extravagant  prices  the 
tribe  steadily  maintained  its  outstanding  merit. 
Indeed  it  is  doubtful  if  any  other  of  the  Bates  fam- 
ilies held  its  character  so  persistently  for  so  many 
years  under  the  stress  of  continued  line  breeding. 
Further  evidence  of  the  original  excellence  of  the 
Waterloos  is  afforded  by  the  fact  that  Waterloos 
12th  and  13th  were  the  only  females  bought  at  the 
Bates  dispersion  by  two  shrewd  Scottish  breeders 
in  attendance,  viz.,  Amos  Cruickshank  of  Sittyton 
and  W.  Hay  of  Shethin. 

Wild  Eyes  Tribe. — This  family  traces  descent 
from  a  roan  heifer  calf  bought  at  a  sale  made  by 
Mr.  Parrington  at  Middlesbrough  in  April,  1832,  for 
£3.     She  had  seven  crosses  of  registered  bulls  on  a 


102  A  HISTOKY   OF   SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

foundation  laid  in  the  herd  of  Mr.  Dobinson.  Bates 
claimed  that  through  this  heifer  (Wild  Eyes)  he  got 
''the  only  good  blood  ( Dobinson 's)  that  the  Colling 
herds  did  not  contain.''  Her  sire,  Emperor  (1974), 
was  sold  to  the  Eussian  Government.  At  the  date 
of  the  Kirklevington  dispersion  sale  this  was  the 
most  numerous  sort  in  the  herd. 

The  Cajnbridge  (Red)  Roses. — Of  this  strain  was 
2d  Hubback  and  Red  Rose  13th — the  Cambridge 
prize  cow  previously  mentioned.  It  came  into  the 
herd  early  through  Red  Rose  1st  of  Mr.  Hustler's 
breeding  (by  Yarborough),  daughter  of  the  Ameri- 
can Cow,  whose  history  is  given  in  a  preceding  chap- 
ter. Red  Rose  5th  of  this  family  produced  to  Bel- 
vedere Rose  of  Sharon,  imported  by  the  Ohio  Com- 
pany, and  ancestress  of  the  American  tribe  of  that 
name.  Under  the  name  of  Cambridge  and  Heydon 
Roses  and  Rose  of  Sharons  the  descendants  of  the 
Cambridge  premium  cow  subsequently  became  the 
subject  of  extensive  speculations  on  both  sides  the 
Atlantic. 

Foggathorpe  family. — The  original  Foggathorpe 
cow  cost  Mr.  Bates  £113  at  Mr.  Henry  Edward's 
sale  at  Castle  Howard  in  1839.  She  was  a  roan, 
nearly  ten  years  old  at  the  time  of  the  purchase.  She 
was  thought  to  resemble  old  Princess  in  character 
and  to  carry  the  blood  of  Charles  Colling 's  White 
Bull  (151) — which  Mr.  Bates  prized  highly.  Her 
descendants,  however,  did  not  acquire  as  much 
celebrity  as  the  other  Kirklevington  sorts. 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  103 

Blanche  or  Roan  Duchess  sort. — Another  noted 
tribe  resting  upon  a  Kirklevington  base  was  that  of 
Blanche,  derived  from  the  fine  old  stock  of  Mr. 
Hutchinson  of  Grassy  Nook.  Bates  bred  them  for 
some  time,  and-Blanche  5th,  by  the  Duke  of  North- 
umberland, produced  in  Mr.  Towneley's  hands  Roan 
Duchess,  dam  of  the  famous  Royal  prize-winning 
Roan  Duchess  2d  by  Frederick  (11489). 

The  Secrets. — This  tribe  derives  rank  as  "a  Bates 
sort^^  from  the  fact  that  the  maternal  ancestresses 
were  cows  bred  and  owned  by  Mr.  Bates.  The 
foundation  cow,  old  White  Rose,  was  a  half-sister 
to  the  dam  of  Belvedere,  both  being  daughters  of 
the  Princess  bull  Young  Wynyard.  When  ten  years 
old  she  was  bred  to  Whitaker's  Gambler  (2046). 
This  was  in  1832.  The  produce,  the  roan  White 
Rose  1st,  to  the  cover  of  Short  Tail,  gave  birth  in 
1837  to  Secret,  sold  in  1844  to  C.  W.  Harvey.  The 
•family  derives  its  name  from  this  cow,  and  subse- 
quently attained  reputation  in  two  directions,  to- 
wit:  Bates-crossed  in  the  hands  of  English  breed- 
ers and  Scotch-crossed  by  Mr.  Cruickshank  of  Sitty- 
ton.  No  representative  of  this  (nor  of  the  Blanche) 
family  were  contained  in  the  herd  at  the  date  of  its 
dispersion. 

So-called  Bell-Bates  tribes. — Several  families  of 
Short-horns  built  up  under  Kirklevington 's  wing  by 
Mr.  Bates'  tenants — the  Messrs.  Bell — subsequently 
shared  in  the  great  wave  of  popularity  that  finally 
set  in  toward  the  Bates  blood.    Among  these  were 


104  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOKT-HORX    CATTLE 

the  Barringtons,  Kirklevingtons,  Acombs,  Darling- 
tons,  Fletchers  (or  Filberts),  Places,  Harts,  Geor- 
gianas  and  Hudsons.  The  Messrs.  Bell  had  the  use 
of  Kirklevington  bulls,  and  Mr.  Bates  himself 
selected  some  of  the  foundation  dams. 

Last  appearance  in  show-yard. — For  years  Mr. 
Bates  argued  in  favor  of  prizes  at  shows  for  family 
groups,  and  in  1847,  at  the  urgent  request  of  the 
Secretary  of  the  Yorkshire  Society,  he  sent  the  roan 
Oxford  2d,  then  eight  years  old,  along  with  the 
four  youngest  of  her  progeny — two  bulls  and  two 
heifers — and  also  one  of  her  grandsons  to  the  Scar- 
borough meeting.  The  roan  bull  2d  Duke  of  Oxford 
(9046),  then  three  years  old,  was  included  in  the 
lot,  and  defeated  the  noted  Capt.  Shafto  (6833), 
that  had  been  bought  by  Mr.  Parkinson  for  325 
guineas  and  was  champion  bull'at  the  Northampton 
Eoyal  a  few  weeks  previous.  All  six  of  the  group 
sent  to  Scarborough  gained  prizes. 

At  York  in  1848  Bates  again  exhibited,  but  with- 
out success,  receiving  but  one  prize,  a  second  on  2d 
Duke  of  Oxford.  It  is  insisted,  however,  that  the 
decisions  gave  universal  dissatisfaction.  This  was 
his  last  appearance  in  the  show-yard.  He  had  bit- 
terly opposed  the  whole  system  of  training  cattle 
for  show,*  and  was  worit  to  ridicule  the  claims  of 
most  of  the  winners. 


*  "Bates  was  disgusted  at  the  amount  of  fulsome  nonsense  written 
about  the  'invincible'  Belleville  (6778),  which  won  the  championship 
prize,  and  considered  it  his  duty  to  warn  foreigners  against  supposing 
that  the  decision  at  the  Royal  Shows,  given  by  judges  who  were  in- 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  105 

Dispersion  of  the  herd. — On  the  25th  of  July, 
1849,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years,  after  a  half 
a  century's  work  with  Short-horns,  Thomas  Bates 
passed  to  his  rest,  and  was  buried  in  the  little 
church-yard  at  Kirklevington.  ''The  Druid"  tells 
us  that  "his  heart  was  with  horn  and  hoof  to  the 
last.  Those  who  strolled  with  him  in  his  pastures 
recalled  how  the  cows  and  even  the  young  heifers 
would  lick  his  hand  and  seem  to  listen  to  every 
gentle  word  and  keen  comment  as  if  they  penetrated 
its  import;  and  even  when  the  last  struggle  was 
nigh  and  he  could  wander  among  them  no  more  he 
reclined  on  some  straw  in  the  cow-house  that  his  eye 
might  not  lack  its  solace. ' ' 

Of  the  five  nephews  of  Mr.  Bates  but  one,  Edward 
Bates,  had  received  a  training  in  agriculture,  and 
he  was  living  abroad.  There  was  no  member  of  the 
family,  therefore,  to  carry  on  the  herd,  and  it  was 
accordingly  put  up  at  auction  at  Kirklevington  May 
9,  1850.  The  title  page  of  the  catalogue  is  repro- 
duced on  the  following  page  from  a  copy — now  yel- 
low with  age — in  the  possession  of  the  author. 

But  five  families — Duchesses,  Oxfords,  Waterloos, 
Wild  Eyes  and  Foggathorpes — were  included  in  the 


directly  interested  in  the  success  of  the  prize  animals,  were  any 
guarantee  of  their  usefulness  as  breeding  stock.  *  *  *  On  one  oc- 
casion he  drove  a  friend  over  from  Kii^klevington  to  see  Belleville  at 
Mr.  J.  Mason  Hopper's,  at  Newham  Grange,  a  few  miles  off.  They 
met  Hopper  on  the  road.  Bates  greeted  him  with :  'I  am  bringing 
my  friend  to  see  your  bull.  I  have  told  him  that  he  is  very  fat  and 
very  quiet.'  Hopper,  who  was  rather  a  rough  diamond,  replied: 
'If  that's  all  you  can  tell  him,  gang  back  ;  ye  need  gae  no  farther.'  " 
— Thomas  Bates  and  the  Kirklevington  Short-horns. 


106  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOKT-HORX   CATTLE 

herd  at  date  of  sale.     Nothing  of  an  historical  or 
descriptive  nature  was  given  in  the  catalogue,  either 

KIRKLEVINGTON,    NEAR    YARM,    YORKSHIRE. 


A    CATALOGUE 

OF  THE 

ENTIRE    AND     FAR-FAMED     HERD 

OF  PURE 

SHORT-HORNED   CATTLE, 

BRED   BY 

THE   LATE  THOMAS   BATES,  ESQ. 
WHICH  WILL  BE  SOLD  BY  AUCTION, 

WITHOUT  RESERVE, 

BY     MR.     H.     STRAFFORD, 

AT  KIRKLEVINGTON,  NEAR  YARM, 

ON   THURSDAY,  THE    9TH    DAY   OF   MAY,    1850, 

SALE  TO   COMMENCE   AT  ONE   O'CLOCK. 


KIRKLEVINGTON  is  two  miles  from  Yarm,  twelve  miles  from  Darlingrton 
and  twelve  miles  from  North  Allerton,  from  which  places  there  is  railway 
conveyance  to  all  parts  of  the  King^dom. 


Catalogues  may  be  had  on  application  to  Mr.  Strafford,  3.  Camben  Villas 
Camden  Town.  London. 

LONDON : 

PRINTED  AT  "THE  MARK  LANE  EXPRESS"  OFFICE, 

24,   NORB^OLK  .street,   STRAND. 


in  the  shape  of  foot-notes  or  introductory  matter. 
No  illustrations  were  attempted,  and  the  peculiar 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES  107 

form  of  printing  pedigrees,  to  which  British  breed- 
ers still  cling,  was  used  as  follows: 

Fourth  Duke  of  York  (10167),  roan,  calved  December  22,  1846; 

got  by  Second  Duke  of  Oxford  (9046), 
dam  (Duchess  51st)  by  Cleveland  Lad  (3407), 
g.  d.  (Duchess  41st)  by  Belvedere  (1706), 
gr.  g.  d.  (Duchess  32d)  by  2d  Hubback  (1423), 
gr.  gr.  g.  d.  (Duchess  19th)  by  2d  Hubback  (1423), 
gr.  gr.  gr.  g.  d.  (Duchess  12th)  by  The  Earl  (646), 
gr,  gr.  gr.  gr.  g.  d.  (Duchess  4th)  by  Ketton  2d  (710), 
gr.  gr.  gr.  gr.  gr.  g.  d.  (Duchess  1st),  by  Comet  (155), 
gr.  gr.  gr.  gr.  gr.  gr.  g.  d.  by  Favorite  (252). 
gr.  gr.  gr.  gr,  gr.  gr.  gr.  g.  d.  by  Daisy  Bull  ( 186 ) . 
gr.  gr.  gr.  gr.  gr.  gr.  gr.  gr.  g.  d.  by  Favorite  (252), 
gr.  gr.  gr.  gr.  gr.  gr.  gr.  gr.  gr.  g.  d.  by  Hubback  (319 ) , — by  J. 

Brown's  Red  Bull  (97). 

A  darker  hour  for  the  placing  of  a  fine  herd  of 
cattle  upon  the  market  could  scarcely  have  been 
chosen.  At  the  Oxford  Eoyal,  a  decade  previous, 
Mr.  Bates  had  been  offered  400  guineas  each  for  his 
prize  animals,  and  at  that  period  he  could  doubtless 
have  named  his  own  price  for  the  Duke  of  North- 
umberland, but  times  had  meantime  undergone  a 
serious  change.  British  agriculture  was  now  pro- 
foundly depressed.  Average  prices  at  Smithfield 
market  at  Christmas,  1850,  ranged  from  3s.  to  3s. 
lOd.  per  stone  of  eight  pounds.  It  seemed  fairly 
probable  that  the  Kirklevington  Short-horns,  repre- 
senting the  life-work  of  one  of  the  most  enthusiastic 
breeders  England  has  ever  known,  would  simply  be 
led  to  a  sacrifice.  Mr.  Bates  had  often  said  that  his 
cattle  would  never  be  appreciated  at  their  full  value 
during  his  own  lifetime.    He  believed  that  his  own 


108  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

estimate  of  them  would  some  day  be  accepted,  and, 
in  later  years  this  indeed  came  to  pass. 

The  attendance  was  phenomenal  in  point  of  num- 
bers, being  estimated  at  five  thousand.  America 
was  represented  by  bids  from  Col.  L.  G.  Morris  and 
N.  J.  Becar.  Curiosity  attracted  many.  Some,  who 
had  felt  the  lash  of  Bates'  free  criticism  during  his 
lifetime,  were  present  to  exult  in  what  they  doubt- 
less hoped  would  prove  a  Waterloo  for  the  Kirklev- 
ington  cattle.  As  the  first  lot  passed  through,  and 
the  sand  in  the  auctioneer's  glass  ran  out  at  about 
twenty  guineas  each,  these  small-minded  individuals 
broke  into  ironical  cheers,  but  presently  the  spirited 
bidding  of  Mr.  Anthony  Maynard  pulled  values  out 
of  the  mire  and  some  good  prices  for  the  times  were 
registered.  The  roan  4th  Duke  of  York,  then  three 
years  old,  was  conceded  to  be  the  outstanding  bull 
of  the  lot,  and  had  been  valued  by  Mr.  Bates  at 
£1,000.  When  Earl  Ducie  started  him  at  £200,  how- 
ever— having  previously  made  known  his  intention 
to  buy  the  bull  ai  any  cost — competition  for  him 
was  silenced,  and  the  Duke  went  to  His  Lordship  at 
what  was  considered  a  "bargain-counter"  price. 
The  sale  list  in  detail,  as  respects  the  Duchesses  and 
Oxfords,  is  herewith  presented: 

DUCHESSES. 

£     S. 

Duchess  51st,  roan,  calved  Aug.  18,  1842— S.  E.  Bolden 63 

Duchess  54th,  red,  calved  Oct.  30,  1844— Mr.  Eastwood 94  10 

Duchess  55th,  red,  calved  Oct.  31,  1844— Earl  Ducie 110     5 

Duchess  56th,     red-and-white,    calved    Nov.     3,    1844  — Mr. 

Ambler 54  12 


THOMAS  BATES  AXD  THE  DUCHESSES  109 

£    s. 

Duchess  59th,  roan,  calved  Nov.  21,  1847 — Earl  Ducie. .  .*.  .210 

Duchess  61st,  red-roan,  calved  Aug.  19,  1848 — Lord  Fever- 
sham  105 

Duchess  62d,  red-and-white,  calved  Oct.  10,  1848 — Mr.  Cham- 
pion   126 

Duchess  64th,  red,  calved  Aug.  10,  1849— Earl  Ducie 162  15 

Grand  Duke  (10284),  red,  calved  February,  1848— Mr.  Hay. 215 

4th  Duke  of  York  (10167),  roan,  calved  December,  1846— 
Earl  Ducie  210 

Duke  of  Richmond  (7996),  roan,  calved  August,  1844 — A. 
L.  Maynard  126 

3d  Duke  of  York  (10166),  red,  calved  October,  1845— G.  D. 

Trotter  74  11 

Duke  of  Athol  (10150),  red,  calved  September,  1849— Mr. 
Parker 42 

5th  Duke  of  York  (10168),  white,  calved  October,  1849— R. 

Bell 33  12 

14  head  sold  for  £1,627  10s.,  an  average  of £116  5s 

OXFORDS. 

£  s. 
Oxford  2d,  roan,  calved  April  20,  1839— Marquis  of  Exeter. .  54  12 
Oxford  4th,  red-and-white,  calved  Aug.  8,  1843— E.  James.  .  28  7 
Oxford  5th,  roan,  calved  Nov.  24,  1844— Col.  L.  G.  Morris 

(U.  S.  A.) 74  11 

Oxford  6th,  red,  calved  Nov.  6,  1846— Earl  Ducie 131     5 

Oxford  9th,  roan,  calved  Oct.  27,  1848— A.  L.  Maynard 42 

Oxford  10th,  red-and-white,  calved  Dec.  30, 1848— Col.  Morris  53  li 

Oxford  11th,  roan,  calved  Aug.  25,  1849— Earl  Ducie 131     5 

Oxford  12th,  roan,  calved  Aug.  27,  1849— Lord  Feversham.   85     1 
Oxford  13th,  roan,  calved  Jan.  7,  1850— N.  J.  Becar  (U.  S.  A.)   63     3 

Oxford  14th,  roan,  calved  March  1,  1850 — Mr.  Downes 21 

2d  Duke  of  Oxford  (9046),  roan,  calved  August,  1843— Earl 

Howe    110     5 

3d  Duke  of  Oxford  (9047),  roan,  calved  October,  1845— Mr. 

Robinson    64     1 

Beverley  (9664),  red-and-white,  calved  October,  1848 — Mr. 

Townshend 32  11 

13  head  sold  for  £894  12s.,  an  average  of £68  16s 

WILD  EYES. 

25  head  sold  for  £1,203  6s.,  an  average  of £48     2s 


110  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

WATERLOGS. 

6  head  'sold  for  £357,  an  average  of £59  10s 

CAMBRIDGE  ROSES. 

3  head  sold  for  £147,  an  average  of £49 

FOGGATHORPES. 

7  head  sold  for  £328  13s.,  an  average  of £46  19s 

GENERAL   A^'ERAGES. 

68  head  sold  for  £4,558,  an  average  of £67 

15  bulls  sold  for  £1,309  7s.,  an  average  of £87     5s 

5  bull  calves  sold  for  £201  12s.,  an  average  of £40 

22  cows  sold  for  £1,163  8s.,  an  average  of £52  17s 

16  heifers  sold  for  £21,221  3s.,  an  average  of £76     6s 

10  heifer  calves  sold  for  £662  lis.,  an  average  of £66     5s 

Sixty-four  Duchess  females. — The  following  tabu- 
lation showing  the  record  of  Duchess  females  in  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Bates — for  which  the  author  is  in- 
debted to  Mr.  Eichard  Gibson — is  worthy  of  being 
incorporated  here  for  purposes  of  reference. 

It  will  be  seen  that  there  were  but  sixty-four 
Duchesses  all  told.  Of  these,  the  last  (Duchess  64th) 
was  calved  after  Mr.  Bates'  death.  The  one  calf  of 
Duchess  58th  was  Duchess  65th,  that  probably  died 
young,  as  Lord  Ducie  recorded  the  1850  calf  of 
Duchess  55th  also  as  Duchess  65th.  Of  the  fifty- 
eight  Duchesses  old  enough  to  breed  previous  to 
Mr.  Bates'  death,  which  number  includes  all  that 
lived  long  enough  to  have  numbers  assigned  them, 
two  (13th  and  57th)  are  recorded  as  having  died 
young;  one  (53d)  was  a  twin  with  a  bull,  and  twen- 
ty-four others  (so  far  as  the  Herd  Book  records  in- 
form us)  never  produced  calves.  A  cross  from  the 
prolific  Wild  Eyes  tribe  might  have  materially  in- 
creased Duchess  fertility  during  the  ''forties.'' 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES 


111 


Born 

Color 

Sire 

Dam 

Calves  produced 

Name 

Male 

Female 

Bulls 
named 

Steers 
or  un- 
named 

Lived 

Died 

Duchess   1 
Duchess   2 

1808 
1812 
1815 
1816 
1817 
1819 
1820 
1820 
1821 
182- 
1822 
1822 
1823 
1823 
1824 
1824 
1825 
1825 
1825 
1825 
1825 
1826 
1826 
1826 
1826 
1826 
1827 
1827 
1829 
18;^ 
1830 

I8;ii 

1832 
1832 
1833 
1834 
1834 
ia35 
1835 
1835 
1835 
1837 
1837 
18;-}8 
1838 
1838 
1839 
1839 
1839 

i»to 

IWl 
1842 
1844 
1844 
1844 
1845 
1846 

1847 

1848 
1848 
1848 
1849 

r.  &w. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &w. 
r.  &w. 
r.  &w. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &  w. 
red. 

r.  &w. 

y.  &  w. 
r.  &  w. 

y.  r. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &w. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &w. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &w. 
roan, 
r.  &  w. 
red. 
r.  &w. 
r.  &  w. 
roan, 
roan, 
roan, 
roan, 
roan, 
red. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &  w. 
r.  &  w. 
red. 
r.  &w. 
r.  &w. 
white, 
roan, 
r.  &w. 
roan, 
red. 
red. 
r.  &w. 
roan, 
red. 

roan, 
red. 
roan, 
r.  &  w. 
roan. 

1 
2 
4 
1 

........ 

........ 

.     1 

t 

4 
3 

1 
4 

Ketton 

1 
1 
1 

Duchess   4 
Duchess   5 
Duchess   6 

Ketton2d  

Ketton  3d        .   . 

4 

3 

2 

2 

4 

5 

4 

9 

6 

8 

3 
11 

6 
12 

8 

3 

9 
11 

6 

8 

3 
16 

6 
20 
20 
26 
19 
19 
29 
19 
19 
30 
33 
30 
19 
32 
30 
34 
37 
30 
34  . 
37 
30 
30 
38 
41 
38 
41 
49 
38 
51 
50 
54 

Marske 

Duchess   8 

Marske 

1 

1 

1 

3 
2 

Tinrhfss    fl 

Marske 

Duchess  10 
Duchess  11 
Duchess  12 
Duchess  13 
Duchess  14 
Duchess  15 
Duchess  16 

Cleveland 



1 

2 

The  Earl  

The  Earl 

1 

The  Earl 

The  Earl 

1 

Duchess  17 
Duchess  18 
Duchess  19 

3d  Earl 

•'d  Hubback 

2d  Hubback 

5 
2 

1 

■Diirhpss  2f) 

2d  Earl 

Duchess  21 

2d  Earl 

2d  Hubback 

Duchess  23 

2d  Earl 

■niirhf>s^  24 

■'d  Hubback 

2d  Hubback 

Duchess  26 

2d  Hubback 

1 

1 

1 

■niirhess  27 

2d  Hubback 

2d  Hubback 

Duchess  29 

2d  Hubback 

I 
6 

2d  Hubback 

3 

Duchess  31 
Duchess  32 

2d  Hubback 

2d  Hubback 

1 

i 
1 

2 

Duchess  33 

Belvedere . 

Duchess  34 

4 

1 

1 
1 

2 

2 
2 

Duchess  38 

Norfolk 

Duchess  40 

Belvedere 

. 

2 
........ 

........ 

1 

2 

Duchess  43 

Belvedere 

Duchess  44 

Short  Tail 

1 

Duchess  47 

Short  Tail 

Tliirhpss  48 

Short  Tail 

Short  Tail 

Duchess  49 

I 
1 
3 

1 
1 
2 

Duchess  50 

Duke  of  Northumberland. 

i 

Holkar 

Duke  of  Northumberland. 
2d  Cleveland  Lad  •• 

Duchess  54 

1 
1 
1 

3 

1 
2 

Duchess  55 
Duchess  56 

4th  Duke  of  Northumb'ld. 
2d  Duke  of  Northumbl'nd. 

Dnrhpss  5ft 

Lord  Barrington     .-.• 

1 

Total 

29 

16 

63 

2 

Duchess  59 

2d  Duke  of  Oxford 

56  1 

54 

51 

56 

54 

55  J 

Born  previous  to  the  death 

of    Mr.    Bates.    July   25. 

■      1849.    and   at   that   date 

not  old  enough  to  have 

produce. 

Duchess  60 

2d  Duke  of  Oxford 

Duchess  63 

2d  Duke  of  Oxford 

Duchess  64 

2d  Duke  of  Oxford 

112  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORNT    CATTLE 

Individual  character  of  the  cattle. — It  may  be  of 
interest  to  American  breeders  to  know  that, 
although  the  prevailing  color  of  the  old  Duchesses 
had  been  red  and  white,  thirty-eight  of  the  herd  of 
sixty-eight  head  sold  in  1850  were  roan  and  five  pure 
white  in  color;  fifteen  being  red-and-white  and 
twelve  red.  The  concentration  of  the  blood  of  the 
light-colored  Belvedere  and  of  the  white  Matchem 
cow^s  sons — the  Cleveland  Lads — modified  the  orig- 
inal Duchess  color  as  well  as  elevated  the  general 
excellence  of  the  herd.  A  contemporary  report  of 
the  sale  in  the  Farmer's  Magazine  commended  the 
character  of  the  cattle  in  the  following  laudatory 
language: 

"In  a  combination  of  those  qualities  which  constitute  excellence 
in  the  Short-horn  variety  of  cattle  it  may  be  asserted  with  con- 
fidence that  the  Kirklevington  Herd  at  the  time  of  its  dispersion 
was  unequaled  by  any  other  in  existence.  Magnificent  size, 
straight  and  broad  back,  arched  and  well-spread  ribs,  wide  bosom, 
snug  shoulder,  clean  neck,  light  feet,  small  head,  prominent  and 
bright  but  placid  eye,  were  features  of  usefulness  and  beauty 
which  distinguished  this  herd  in  the  very  highest  degree.  While 
the  hide  is  sufficiently  thick  to  indicate  an  excellent  constitution, 
its  elasticity  when  felt  between  the  fingers  and  thumb,  and  its 
floating  under  the  hand  upon  the  cellular  texture  beneath,  to- 
gether with  the  soft  and  furry  texture  of  the  coat,  evinced  in  an 
extraordinary  degree  throughout  the  herd  excellent  quality  of 
flesh  and  disposition  to  rapid  taking  on  fat.  In  the  sixty-eight 
head  of  cattle  not  one  could  be  characterized  as  inferior  or  even 
as  mediocre,  all  ranking  as  first-class  animals;  and  when  an  idea 
of  inferiority  arose  it  was  only  in  reference  to  a  comparison  with 
others  of  this  splendid  herd,  which,  from  their  most  extraordinary 
excellence,  demand  special  notice." 

Thus  passed  into  other  hands  a  herd  that  was  des- 
tined to  receive  recognition  in  the  subsequent  prog- 
ress of  the  breed  beyond  even  the  wildest  dreams 


THOMAS  BATES  AND  THE  DUCHESSES 


113 


of  its  founder.  At  his  grave  stands  a  substantial 
monument,*  erected  largely  through  the  efforts  of 
Mr.  William  Housman,  one  of  the  most  entertaining 
of  all  English  writers  upon  Short-hom  cattle.  It 
bears  this  simple  inscription: 

THIS   MEMORIAL   OF 

THOMAS     BATES, 

OF     KIRKLEVIXGTON^ 

ONE    OF   THE    MOST   DISTINGUISHED   BREEDERS   OF    SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

IS   RAISED   BY   A   FEW    FRIENDS    WHO    APPRECIATE    HIS    LABOURS 

FOR   THE   IMPROVEMENT    OF   BRITISH    STOCK    AND 

RESPECT    HIS    CHARACTER. 

BORN    JUNE    21ST,    1776. 

DIED   26th   JULY,    1849. 

T 


DRAWN    FROM   PHOTOGRAPH    BY    THE   AUTHOR.    1892. 


*The  exact  date  of  Mr.  Bates'  death  was  July  25,  as  already  stated 
Through  some  inadvertency  the  inscription  on  the  monument  reads 
"July  26th." 


CHAPTER  V 
PALMY  DAYS  AT  KILLERBY  AND  WARLABY 

The  establishment  of  the  Yorkshire  and  Royal 
Shows  (1838-9)  proved  the  means  of  attracting 
largely-increased  attention  to  the  breed,  not  only 
throughout  Great  Britain  but  in  foreign  lands  as 
well.  Mr.  Bates  was  quick  to  see  the  advertising 
advantages  presented,  and  had  carried  off  high 
honors  at  the  initial  meetings  of  the  National  Show 
at  Oxford  and  Cambridge.  His  contemporary,  John 
Booth  of  Killerby,  soon  followed  suit  and  began  a 
career  of  conquest — in  which  his  brother  Richard 
soon  joined — that  gave  the  Booth  cattle  for  a  long 
series  of  years  reputation  as  a  heavy  flesh-carrying 
type  unequaled  by  any  other  in  the  Kingdom.  Prior 
to  that  time  the  Booth  herds  had  been  kept  mainly 
for  dairy  and  grazing  purposes,  most  of  the  males 
being  steered.  Their  quick-feeding  quality  rendered 
them  easily  susceptible  to  ' '  training ' '  for  show. 

We  have  already  detailed  the  division  of  the  Kil- 
lerby Herd  that  occurred  in  1814,  at  the  time  when 
Richard  Booth  began  breeding  at  Studley.  To  take 
the  place  at  Killerby  of  some  of  the  cows  sent  to 
Studley  Thomas  Booth  bought  others,  which  when 
crossed  with  his  strong-bred  bulls  gave  rise  to  three 
very  prominent  families — the  Farewells,  the  Brough- 

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KILLERBY    AND    WARLABY  •  115 

tons,  and  the  Dairymaids  or  Moss  Roses.  The 
matron  of  the  Farewell  tribe,  like  so  many  other 
good  ones  that  proved  successful  breeders,  was  sim- 
ply a  good  market  cow,  showing  Short-horn  breed- 
ing and  quality,  purchased  at  Darlington.  Among 
her  descendants  were  the  famous  trio — Faith,  Hope 
and  Charity.  The  first  Broughton  cow  came,  like 
the  Fairholme  heifers,  from  a  good  dairy  farmer, 
and  of  her  line  was  Bliss,  Blythe  and  Bonnet.  The 
original  Dairymaid  came  from  a  good  stock  of  cattle 
near  the  village  of  Scorton.  To  her  the  prolific 
Vivandiere,  Campfollower  and  Soldier's  Bride 
traced  in  the  maternal  line.  To  these  families  were 
added  the  Gaudy  (or  Lady  Betty)  sort,  bred  from 
a  cow  bought  from  Mr.  Taylor  of  Catterick;  the 
Mantalinis,  derived  from  the  purchase  of  Sylph,  by 
Remus,  from  Mrs.  Booth's  sister.  Miss  Wright  of 
Cleasby,  and  the  Belindas,  that  originated  from  the 
stock  of  Miss  Wright  and  Mr.  Charge.  The  de- 
scendants of  these  cows,  a  portion  of  the  Halnaby 
and  Fairholme  tribes,  and  the  Bracelets  consti- 
tuted the  herd  that  graced  ''the  quiet  meadows  of 
old  Killerby,"  from  whence  John  Booth  selected  the 
celebrated  show  animals  sent  to  the  early  meetings 
of  the  Royal  Agricultural  Society  of  England.  The 
sensation  created  by  their  appearance  laid  the  foun- 
dation for  the  wide  demand  that  subsequently  set 
in  for  Booth  blood.  In  ^ve  years  four  first  prizes 
for  the  best  Short-horn  cows  at  the  Royal  were  won 
by  animals  of  Killerby  breeding. 


116  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-IIORX    CATTLE 

Bracelet  and  Necklace. — In  1840  Killerby  entered 
the  lists  at  the  Yorkshire  Show  at  Northallerton  and 
won  first  prize  with  the  roan  three-year-old  Bracelet, 
by  Priam  (2452) — he  a  son  of  Isabella  by  Pilot — 
and  second  on  the  yearling  heifer  Mantalini.  In 
1841  Mr.  Booth  ventured  into  deeper  water,  showing 
at  the  Eoyal  at  Liverpool  and  the  Highland  at  Ber- 
wick, as  well  as  at  the  Yorkshire  Show.  Bracelet 
won  first  as  cow  at  both  of  the  national  shows,  and 
Mantalini  first  as  two-year-old  heifer.  In  1842 
Bracelet  and  her  twin  sister,  Necklace,  swept  all 
before  them  at  York,  and  Necklace  was  first  at  the 
Bristol  Royal.  Carr  says:  ''To  this  day  it  is  a 
mooted  question  among  those  who  remember  the 
world-renowned  twins  to  which  of  them  could  be 
most  justly  awarded  the  palm  of  beauty.  Necklace 
is  said  to  have  had  neater  fore  quarters  and  to  have 
been  rather  better  filled  up  behind  the  shoulders. 
Bracelet  had  fuller,  longer  and  more  level  hind 
quarters."  Writing  in  1880,  John  Thornton  said: 
''Many  old  breeders  still  maintain  that  as  Duke  of 
Northumberland  was  one  of  the  finest  bulls  so  Brace- 
let was  the  finest  cow  in  their  recollection."  In 
1843  Necklace  overcame  all  opposition  at  Doncaster. 
These  famous  cows  together  brought  home  as  tro- 
phies of  show-yard  war  some  thirty-five  class  and 
championship  prizes  and  medals;  Necklace  finishing 
her  career  by  winning  a  gold  medal  against  thirty- 
seven  competitors  at  the  Smithfield  Fat-Stock  Show 
at  London  in  1846. 

Buckingham. — ^Bracelet  was  not  only  a  reigning 


NECKLACE  AT  SIX  YEARS  OLD. 


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T     .... 

mff- , 

^_>=- 

^'.    J^'tlB. 

f 

BRACELET  AT  FIVE   YEARS  OLD. 
JOHN  BOOTH'S  FAMOUS  ROYAL.  PRIZE-WINNING  TWINS. 


KILLEKBY    AND    WAKLABY  117 

show-yard  queen,  but  proved  a  grand  breeder,  pro- 
ducing the  fine  white  show  cow  Birthday,  by  Lord 
Stanley  (4269),  the  prize  bull  Hamlet,  by  Leonard, 
and  that  extraordinary  sire  Buckingham  (3239),  the 
latter  the  result  of  mating  with  Col.  Cradock's  Mus- 
sulman (4525).     Buckingham  was  sold  to  Richard 
Booth,  who  had  in  the  meantime  succeeded  to  his 
father's  estate  of  Warlaby,  and  in  his  hands  proved 
a   uniform    getter    of   broad-backed,    round-ribbed 
stock,   with   shapely  fore   quarters   and  well-filled 
flanks.    He  was  subsequently  let  to  Mr.  Barnes,  who 
established  a  noted  herd  of  Booth-bred  cattle  at 
Westland,  Ireland,  but  the  bull  was  unfortunately 
lost  by  the  burning  of  the  channel  steamer  that  was 
conveying  him  to  the  Emerald  Isle.     Buckingham 
introduced   the  Old  Cherry  blood  into  the  Booth 
herds,  and  illustrated  the  vivifying  effect  of  a  judi- 
cious outcross  upon  tribes  that  had  been  interbred 
for  generations.    No  further  proof  of  this  is  needed 
than  the  mere  mentio.n  of  the  fact  that  Buckingham 
left  at  Warlaby,  among  other  valuable  progeny,  the 
celebrated  Charity,  Plum  Blossom,  Bloom,  Medora, 
Vivandiere,  Isabella,  Buckingham,  Vanguard,  Hope- 
well,   Benedict    and    Baron    Warlabv.      Bracelet's 
famous  daughter,  Birthday,  in  turn^  produced  the 
prize-winning  heifer  Gem   (which  Dixon  savs  was 
Mr.  Booth's  model  as  respects  compactness,  beauti- 
ful hair  and  fine,  even  qualitv  of  flesh)   and  the 
white  bull  Lord  George  (10439),  the  sire  of  the  2d 
Duke  of  Athol  (11376),  in  the  pedigrees  of  Mr  Alex- 


118  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

ander's  American  Duchess  of  Airdrie.  Another 
daughter  of  Bracelet  was  Pearl,  grandam  of  Pearly, 
bought  by  Col.  Towneley  at  the  Killerby  sale,  that 
became  the  dam  of  the  500-guinea  Ringlet.  Bracelet 
was  also  the  dam  of  the  red  bull  Morning  Star 
(6223),  that  was  sold  in  1844  as  a  two-year-old  to 
Louis  Philippe  of  France.  Before  crossing  the 
Channel,  however,  he  begot  Vesper,  the  ancestress 
of  the  noted  family  of  that  name  in  the  Booth-bred 
herd  of  Mr.  R.  S.  Bruere.  Necklace  produced  Jewel, 
the  dam  of  Jeweller,  used  in  the  Towneley  herd,  the 
sire  of  the  celebrated  Barmpton  Rose  cow  Butterfly. 
Mantalini,  the  show-yard  companion  of  the  twins, 
had  a  daughter.  Pelerine,  from  whence  came  those 
*' three  graces,''  Rose  of  Autumn,  Rose  of  Summer 
and  Rose  of  Athelstane,  in  the  herd  of  Mr.  Douglas 
of  Athelstaneford. 

John  Booth's  sale. — After  playing  a  prominent 
part  in  the  show-yard  for  a  number  of  years  and 
demonstrating  beyond  all  dispute  the  flesh-making 
qualities  and  prepotent  character  of  his  cattle  ''the 
Squire  of  Killerby''  sold  his  herd  at  auction  in  July, 
1852,  the  sale  being  attended  by  breeders  from  all 
parts  of  the  Kingdom.  The  depression  prevailing 
at  the  time  of  the  Bates  sale  still  continued,  and 
some  of  the  animals  were  a  few  years  later  resold 
for  three  times  the  price  paid  at  the  sale.  The  forty- 
four  lots  averaged  £48  12s.  Bloom  brought  110 
guineas  from  Mr.  Ambler,  and  Birthright  105 
guineas  from  Mr.  Douglas.     After  the  dispersion 


KILLEKBY    AND    WARLABY  119 

John  Booth  did  not  again  engage  extensively  in 
cattle-breeding.*  His  brother  Richard  had  pur- 
chased Venus  Victrix  at  the  top  price  of  the  sale 
(175  guineas)  and  afterwards  presented  her  to  her 
former  owner.  She  was  successfully  exhibited  at 
leading  shows  from  1852  to  1856,  and  also  produced 
the  two  bulls  King  Arthur  and  King  Alfred,  both 
by  Crown  Prince,  besides  two  choice  heifers,  Victrix 
and  Venus  de  Medicis.  The  latter  was  sold  to  Mr. 
Douglas  for  300  guineas  and  shown  at  the  Paris  Ex- 
position. At  Mr.  Booth's  death  in  1857  his  sons  in- 
herited this  Venus  Victrix  tribe,  as  well  as  the  de- 
scendants of  Hecuba,  by  Hopewell;  among  the  latter 
being  the  noted  Forest  Queen  and  Queen  of  Trumps. 
Hecuba  was  of  the  real  rent-paying  sort — a  heavy 
milker  and  quick  feeder.  Another  grand  cow  in  the 
herd  at  this  time  was  Soldier's  Dream,  of  the  old 
Moss  Rose  sort.  Her  dam  had  been  presented  to 
John  Booth's  sons  by  their  uncle  Richard. 

Warlaby  and  its  show-yard  wonders. — We  now 
approach    the    zenith    of    Booth    fame — the    later 


*"Mr.  Booth  was  a  very  fine-looking  man,  upward  of  six  feet  and 
fifteen  stone,  with  rare  hands  and  a  fine  eye  to  hounds.  This  was  the 
sport  he  loved  best,  and  when  he  was  on  Jack  o'Lantern  or  Rob  Roy 
few  men  could  cross  the  Bedale  country  with  him.  *  *  *  He  was 
full  of  joviality  and  good  stories  as  well  as  the  neatest  of  practical 
jokes.  His  friend  Wetherell  generally  had  his  guard  up,  but  when  he 
received  a  letter,  apparently  from  the  Earl  of  Tankerville,  saying  that 
he  was  to  lot  and  sell  the  wild  "V^Tiite  cattle  of  Chillingham,  he  puzzled 
for  minutes  as  to  how  on  earth  His  Lordship  ever  intended  to  catch 
them  and  bring  them  into  the  ring  before  he  guessed  the  joke  and  its 
author.  *  *  *  Booth  judged  a  great  deal  in  England,  and  never 
went  for  great  size  either  in  a  bull  or  a  cow.  As  a  man  of  fine, 
steady  judgment  in  a  cattle-ring  he  has  perhaps  never  had  an  equal. 
He  died  in  1857,  after  a  weary  twelve  months'  illness,  in  his  seventieth 
year,  at  Killerby,  and  a  memorial  window  at  Catterick,  where  he 
rests,  was  put  up  by  his  friends,  and  neighbors  and  the  Short-horn 
world   as    well." — Saddle    and    Sirloin. 


120  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

achievements  of  that  Achilles  of  British  show-yard 
war,  Eichard  Booth  (late  of  Studley),  who  suc- 
ceeded to  his  father's  estate  of  Warlaby,  in,  the 
grassy  valley  of  the  Wiske,  in  1835.  In  his  later 
years  Thomas  Booth  had  not  endeavored  to  give 
the  herd  at  Warlaby  any  special  prominence.  He 
had  devoted  fifty  years  of  his  useful  life  to  the  in- 
terests of  the  breed,  and  had  lived  to  see  the  type 
created  by  his  skill  and  genius  recognized  as  one 
of  the  chief  sources  of  Short-horn  excellence.  He 
was  content,  therefore,  to  leave  to  younger  men  the 
active  "pushing"  of  their  favorites.  It  is  said  that 
Eichard  on  his  entrance  at  Warlaby  did  not  at  first 
contemplate  any  special  effort  in  the  line  of  Short- 
horn breeding.  Unlike  his  brother  John — who  had 
the  traditional  Yorkshire  love  for  the  excitement  of 
the  race-course  and  the  hunting  field — Eichard  had 
never  been  given  to  active  pursuits,  and  "was  only 
a  quiet  gig-man ' '  from  the  early  days.  Happily  for 
the  breed,  however,  he  changed  his  mind  in  relation 
to  cattle-breeding  and  devoted  the  remainder  of  his 
days  to  the  upbuilding  of  what  was  beyond  all  ques- 
tion the  most  remarkable  herd  of  its  time  and  one 
of  the  greatest  known  in  Short-horn  history. 

Thomas  Booth  had  left  at  Warlaby  cows  of  the 
Halnaby  (Strawberry),  Farewell,  Blossom,  Brough- 
ton.  Dairymaid  and  Christon  families.  To  this  col- 
lection Eichard  added  old  Isabella,  by  Pilot,  then  in 
her  sixteenth  year  but  still  breeding.  Killerby  was 
at  this  date  and  for  some  years  afterward  in  the 


KILLERBY    AND    WARLABY  121 

ascendant  so  far  as  public  notoriety  was  concerned. 
The  victories  of  Bracelet  and  Necklace,  of  Manta- 
lini,  Ladythorne,  Birthday  and  Hamlet  had  drawn 
all  eyes  upon  the  work  of  John  Booth,  but  Richard 
of  Warlaby  was  meantime  buckling  on  his  armor. 
He  bought  Bracelet's  son  Buckingham,  bearing  50 
per  cent  of  Old  Cherry  blood,  from  his  brother  John; 
having  already  sent  his  own  grand  cow,  White 
Strawberry,  to  be  bulled  by  Lord  Lieutenant  (4260), 
of  Mr.  Eaine's  breeding.  White  Strawberry  was 
probably  the  best  cow  at  Warlaby  at  that  time.  She 
was  bred  in  every  direction  from  the  closest  affini- 
ties of  blood,  her  ancestors,  male  and  female,  being 
filled  by  repeated  crosses  with  the  blood  of  Albion 
and  Pilot.  She  was  a  magnificent  broad-backed, 
wide-breasted  animal,  quite  equal  in  merit  to  those 
buxom  matrons,  the  red  Anna  and  the  roan  Isabella 
by  Pilot,  the  two  best  cows  that  either  of  the  herds 
had  previous  to  1835  produced.  The  white  bull 
Leonard  (4210)  was  the  result  of  this  Booth-Raine 
union.  In  those  days  color  did  not  condemn  good 
cattle  to  destruction.  Leonard  was  called  a  ^'little'' 
bull,  but  the  Booths  were  never  partial  to  big  ones. 
Moreover,  he  had  great  loins  and  widely-spread  ribs. 
He  was  also  rather  heavy  in  the  horn,  but  the  laird 
of  Warlaby  had  confidence  in  his  value  as  a  sire  and 
placed  him  in  service.  His  blood,  blended  with  that 
of  Buckingham  through  the  veins  of  that  grand 
galaxy  of  Booth-bred  cows,  Isabella,  White  Straw- 
berry, Bracelet  and  Charity,  ultimately  found  issue 


122  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

in  the  world-renowned  Crown  Prince  (10087),  the 
bull  of  all  Booth  bulls;  the  bull  that  was  to  Warlaby 
what  Duke  of  Northumberland  was  to  Kirkleving- 
ton  or  Champion  of  England  to  Sittyton. 

Faith,  Hope  and  Charity. — It  was  not  until  1846 
that  Warlaby  closed  in  earnest  with  the  ruling  ring- 
side powers  of  the  United  Kingdom.  John  Booth 
was  out  with  a  strong  herd,  including  Necklace, 
Birthday,  Mantalini,  Gem  and  Hamlet — the  latter 
regarded  by  John  Booth  as  the  best  bull  he  ever 
bred.  It  was  a  significant  fact  that  one  of  Richard's 
earliest  ventures  in  the  show-field  had  been  made 
with  a  roan  cow  called  Faith,  of  the  Farewell  family. 
She  was  a  large  and  excellent  cow,  but  somewhat 
masculine,  and  could  only  get  a  second  against 
Necklace  at  the  Yorkshire  meeting,  but  her  name 
represented  the  foundation  upon  which  Warlaby 
built  for  the  future — implicit  confidence  in  the  value 
of  the  blood  combinations  there  at  work.  From 
Faith  sprang  Hope  in  the  form  of  a  roan  daughter 
of  that  name — got  by  the  white  bull  Leonard — that 
went  to  the  Yorkshire  Show  in  1845  as  a  two-year- 
old  and  there  became  one  of  the  first  of  a  long  and 
truly  regal  line  of  Warlaby  winners. 

In  1846  Eichard  Booth  made  his  bow  at  the  Royal, 
held  that  year  in  the  Tyneside  Country,  near  New- 
castle. Bracelet  and  Necklace  were  there,  but  for- 
tunately had  graduated  into  the  class  for  ^' extra 
stock."  Leonard's  daughter,  Hope,  then  three  years 
old,  defeated  all  other  cows  of  her  age  in  the  yard, 


JOHN    BOOTH'S    BIRTHDAY    AT    FOLK    YEARS    OLD. 


THE    BOOTH    COW   TIVANDIERE    AT   FIVE    YEARS— BRED    BY    JOHN 
OUTHWAITE.  BAINESSE.   YORKSHIRE.  ENGLAND. 


KILLERBY    AND    WAKLABY  123 

repeating  the  performance  at  the  Yorkshire  at 
Wakefield.  Not  only  did  the  handsome  Hope  accom- 
plish this  in  1846,  but  what  was  even  more  to  the 
point  during  that  same  year  she  produced  to  the 
cover  of  Buckingham  the  red  heifer  Charity,  that 
subsequently  attained  imperishable  renown  as  the 
mother  of 

Crown  Prince  (10087).— This  extraordinary  breed- 
ing bull  was  a  roan,  dropped  by  Charity  May  10, 
1849,  to  a  service  by  the  white  Fitz  Leonard  (7010). 
Mr.  Carr  says:  ''Of  Charity,  who  so  long  graced 
tile  Warlaby  pastures,  it  is  sufficient  to  say  that  she 
was  the  personification  of  all  that  is  beautiful  in 
Short-horn  shape.  Such  was  her  regularity  of  form 
that  a  straight  wand  laid  along  her  side  longitudi- 
nally from  the  lower  flank  to  the  forearm  and  from 
the  hips  to  the  upper  part  of  the  shoulder  blades 
touched  at  almost  every  point;  her  quarters  were  so 
broad,  her  crops  and  shoulders  so  full,  her  ribs  so 
boldly  projected,  and  the  space  between  them  and 
the  well-cushioned  hips  so  arched  over  with  flesh  as 
to  form  a  continuous  line.  It  was  difficult  for  the 
most  hypercritical  eye  to  detect  a  failing  point  in 
this  perfectly-molded  animal,  and  it  was  in  conse- 
quence of  Mr.  Booth's  high  appreciation  of  her 
merits  and  those  of  her  son  that  he  made  such  free 
use  of  Crown  Prince.  Charity  won  every  prize  for 
which  she  was  shown  save  one,  when  she  was  beaten 
as  a  calf  by  another  of  the  same  herd,  after  which 
her  career  was  one  of  unvaried  success.     She  was 


124  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

thrice  decked  with  the  white  rosette  at  the  Royal 
and  thrice  at  the  Yorkshire  meetings. ' ' 

The  Prince  proved  probably  the  greatest  stock- 
getter  of  all  the  many  celebrated  bulls  ever  used  at 
Warlaby.  He  was  never  shown,  so  valuable  were 
his  services  in  the  breeding  herd;  his  capacity  in 
that  respect  was  attested  not  only  by  such  cham- 
pion show  cattle  as  Nectarine  Blossom  and  the  four 
peerless  '^Queens/'  but  his  bulls — for  one  of  which, 
the  champion  Windsor,  Mr.  Booth  refused  £1,000 — 
were  in  demand  from  all  parts  of  the  Kingdom. 
But  one  of  his  sons,  Duke  of  Buckingham,  was  ever 
sold,  Mr.  Booth  preferring  to  retain  the  ownership 
of  all.  They  were  let  and  used  with  remarkable 
results  on  some  of  the  best  herds  of  their  time.  Mr. 
Carr,  the  accomplished  historian  of  the  Booths, 
said  of  Crown  Prince:  ^'To  the  visitor  at  War- 
laby I  would  say:  'Si  monumentum  requiris,  cir- 
cumspice!'  "  If  you  ask  where  is  his  monument, 
look  around  you. 

Isabella  Buckingham  and  other  celebrities. — Isa- 
bella, by  Pilot,  had  produced  nine  calves  before  her 
transfer  to  Warlaby,  but  she  there  gave  birth  at  the 
extreme  age  of  eighteen  years  to  the  w^hite  heifer 
Isabella  (Vol.  VI,  page  405,  Coates'  Herd  Book),  by 
Young  Matchem  (4422),  that  subsequently  produced 
the  white  Fitz  Leonard  (7010),  sire  of  Crown  Prince 
(10087);  the  big,  broad-backed,  heavy-loined  roan 
sire  and  show  bull  Vanguard  (10994),  that  acquired 
fame  in  the  great  Booth-bred  herd  of  Mr.  Torr,  and 


KILLERBY    AND    WARLABY  125 

the  roan  heifers  Innocence  and  Isabella  Bucking- 
ham.   Innocence  in  turn  produced  the  white  Leoni- 
das  (10414),  that  sired  the  famous  Monk  (11824)— 
also  white— one  of  the  best  Warlaby  bulls.     Carr 
says  that  the  hair  of  Leonidas  was  so  long  that  it 
fairly   -  waved   in   the   wind,   like   the   wool   on   a 
sheep's   back.-    Isabella  Buckingham,   ''a   superb 
cow  of  great  substance,''  was  a  roan,  dropped  March 
29,  1845,  and  as  her  name  implies  was  a  daughter 
of  Bracelet's  son  Buckingham.   She  thus  joined  the 
blood  of  one  of  the  greatest  of  all  Killerby  cows  to 
that  of  the  queenly  Isabella.    The  ''imposing  gran- 
deur" of  the  AVarlaby  Isabellas  was  a  theme  upon 
which  admirers  of  the  herd  ever  loved  to  dwell,  and 
Isabella   Buckingham    of   that   line,    like    Charity, 
reaped  a  rich  harvest  of  ribbons  and  rosettes 

Indeed  after  1846  Warlaby 's  place  in  the  National 
shows  was  for  many  years  unquestioned.     At  the 
Northampton  Royal  of  1847  Cherrv  Blossom   (by 
Buckingham),    a    noble    cow    'Svith    massive    fore 
quarters  and  of  stately  presence,"  was  first;  Isabella 
Buckingham     was     first-prize     two-year-old,     and 
Charity  the  first-prize  yearling.    At  the  same  show 
held  at  York  in  1848  Hope,  Charity  and  Isabella 
were  all  winners.     At  the  Norwich  Royal  of  1849 
Charity  was  first  and  Isabella  second.  Cherry  Blos- 
som heading  the  post-graduate  class,  and   at  the 
Highland  Show  at  Glasgow  they  repeated  in  Scot- 
land    what     they    had     accomplished     ''South  o' 
Tweed." 


126  A  HISTORY   OF   SITORT-HORN    CATTLE 

Meantime  Hope  had  produced  to  Buckingham  the 
roan  bull  Hoi)ewell  (10332),  that  early  demonstrated 
his  mettle  by  winning  lirst  as  a  yearling  at  Leeds 
in  1849.  Hopewell  became  a  sire  of  great  renown, 
Mr.  Booth  receiving  for  his  services  while  on  hire  in 
various  herds  the  great  sum  of  £1,000.  To  the  cover 
of  Cherry  Blossom's  own  brother.  Baron  AVarlaby 
(7813),  Hope  gave  birth  to  the  short-legged  thrifty 
roan  bull  Harbinger  (10297),  that  w^on  as  a  yearlin  ;- 
at  the  Exeter  Royal  of  1850,  and  afterward  proved 
a  wonderful  stock-getter,  siring  the  prize  cow 
Bridesmaid  and  Eed  Rose,  the  dam  of  the  wonder- 
ful ''Queens"  to  be  mentioned  further  on.  He  also 
became  known  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic  as  the 
sire  of  Mr.  Alexander's  imp.  Mazurka,  ancestress  of 
a  very  noted  American  tribe.  Isabella  Buckingham 
was  first-prize  cow  at  same  show. 

Windsor  (14013)  and  the  Blossoms. — We  have 
already  noted  the  appearance  of  this  family.  Cherry 
Blossom,  in  the  show-yard.  In  1851  the  roan  four- 
year-old  cow  Plum  Blossom,  by  Buckingham,*  in 
calf  to  Crown  Prince,  won  the  first  prize  at  the 
Windsor  Royal,  and  in  October  following  she  gave 
birth  to  a  white  bull  calf  that  afterward  carried  all 


*Plum  Blossom,  according  to  Carr,  was  "a  level,  lengthy,  short- 
legged  cow  of  great  substance.  She  had  abundance  of  hair,  of  a  rich 
purple  roan,  a  very  sweet  head  and  high-bred  appearance.  WTiile  still 
but  a  slip  of  a  heifer  (for  Plum  Blossom  was  no  hot-house  nursling, 
but  a  wilding  of  the  fields  from  her  birth)  Mr.  Eastwood,  visiting 
Warlaby  with  the  late  Mr.  Booth,  had  the  sagacity  to  foresee  the 
perfection  to  which  she  would  mature.  He  made  tempting  overtures 
to  compass  her  transfer  to  Towneley,  which  he  flattered  himself  the 
latter  did  not  seem  disinclined  to  entertain  ;  but  on  reviving  the  sub- 
ject after  dinner  Mr.  Booth  dashed  his  hopes  by  intimating  that  he 
could  not  allow  him  to  'put  in  his  thumb  and  pull  out  this  plum.'  " 


KILLERBY    AND    WAELABY  127 

before  him  at  the  National  and  Northern  county 
shows.  In  honor  of  his  mother's  victory  at  the 
Eoyal  he  was  dubbed  Windsor.  The  calf  began  his 
winnings  at  Sheffield  the  following  summer.  That 
same  year  another  of  this  family,  Rose  Blossom, 
gained  first  as  a  two-year-old  at  the  Eoyal. 

Windsor  made  ten  shows  and  w^on  nine  first 
prizes,  being  the  ' '  bull  card ' '  of  the  Warlaby  exhibit 
from  1852  to  1855.  He  w^as  spoken  of  as  "the  Comet 
of  modern  times.  A  very  symmetrical  animal,  of 
extraordinary  length,  with  a  good  masculine  head 
and  horn,  a  w^ell-formed  neck,  a  very  deep  and  prom- 
inent breast,  and  w^ell-covered,  obliquely-laid  shoul- 
ders; his  back  was  admirably  formed — firm  and 
level — and  his  ribs  were  finely  arched  up  to  the 
shoulders,  forming  a  cylindrical  shape  throughout; 
his  quarters  were  very  long  and  flat,  his  thighs, 
flank  and  twist  remarkably  deep  and  full,  and  his 
legs  short  and  fine  below  the  knee.  From  the  top 
of  his  shoulder  to  the  tip  of  his  brisket  he  measured 
four  feet  ten  inches."  After  winning  at  the  Car- 
lisle Royal  in  1855  an  Australian  breeder  offered 
£1,000  for  him,  which  proposition  Mr.  Booth  de- 
clined. Windsor  was  sire  of  the  great  show  cow 
Soldier's  Bride,  presently  to  be  mentioned. 

A  few  years  later  the  big,  all-conquering  Nec- 
tarine Blossom,  by  Crown  Prince,  appeared.  In 
1857  she  was  the  first-prize  cow  at  York.  In  1858 
she  w^as  first  at  the  Royal,  first  at  the  Yorkshire 
and  winner  of  the  100-guinea  cup  at  Durham  Show 


128  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

as  best  animal  in  the  yard.  In  1859  she  was  again 
first 'among  cows  at  the  Royal.  Of  this  tribe  also 
was  that  broad,  thick-fleshed  prize  cow  Venus  Vic- 
trix,  shown  by  John  Booth,  as  already  noticed. 

Bride,  Bridesmaid  and  Bride  Elect. — A  branch  of 
Mr.  Booth's  favorite  old  Halnaby  tribe  threw  out  a 
blooming  bevy  of  show-yard  favorites  between  the 
years  1847  and  1857,  beginning  with  Bagatelle  by 
Buckingham,  and  including  Bride  by  Hopewell, 
Bridesmaid  by  Harbinger,  and  the  extraordinary 
white  cow  Bride  Elect  by  Vanguard  (10994).  The 
latter  was  regarded  as  the  wonder  of  her  day  in 
respect  to  her  astonishing  development  of  bosom 
and  fore  quarters,  and  also  carried  a  beautiful  head 
and  horn.  She  was  a  leading  winner  in  the  Warlaby 
show  herds  from  1854  to  1858. 

The  quartette  of  ''Queens." — The  same  Halnaby 
or  Strawberry  tribe  that  gave  Warlaby  these  Brides 
appeared  again  in  full  flower  just  as  Bride  Elect 
began  to  lose  her  bloom,*  Red  Rose,  by  Harbinger, 
producing  to  the  cover  of  Crown  Prince  that  re- 
markable group  of  heifers  Queen  of  the  May,  Queen 
Mab,  Queen  of  the  Vale,  and  finally  the  noble  Queen 
of  the  Ocean.  It  is  related  that  a  blank  check  ten- 
dered by  Rev.  J.  Bolden  for  Red  Rose — the  dam  of 
these  celebrities — when  she  was  a  heifer  was  re- 
fused.   Mr.  Booth's  vision  as  to  her  future  useful- 


♦Old  Cuddy,  long-time  herdsman  for  Mr.  Booth,  would  say:  "Aye! 
yon's  poor  auld  Bride  Elect.  Did  ye  ever  see  sic  an  a  breast  and  sic 
ieeght  timbers?  Yan  wad  wonder  how  sic  bane  could  bear  sae  muckle 
beef.  Look  at  her  rumps  and  thighs,  and  loins,  and  aboon  a',  that 
breast!     Why  there  be  amaist  plenty  for  twa  beasts!" 


KILLEEBY    AND    WARLABY  129 

ness  was  in  this  case  prophetic,  as  he  was  afterward 
offered  1,500  guineas  for  Queen  of  the  May,  the  first 
of  the  daughters  to  enter  the  show-yard.  This 
heifer  be^-an  winning  as  a  yearling  at  the  Chelms- 
ford Eoyal  of  1856.  Queen  Mab,  "the  Greek 
beauty,"  entered  the  prize  list  as  a  yearling  at  the 
same  society's  show  at  Shrewsbury  in  1857.  Queen 
of  the  Vale  came  forward  in  1858.  Queen  of  the 
Ocean  was  presented  as  a  cow  at  the  Battersea 
Eoyal  of  1862,  receiving  first  in  her  class  and  gold 
medal  as  best  female  in  the  yard.  That  same  year 
she  won  the  100-guinea  cup  championship  at  Dur- 
ham County  Shovv\  In  1863,  shown  with  Soldier's 
Bride,  she  was  one  of  the  first-prize  pair  of  cows  at 
the  Worcester  Royal,  and  first  at  the  Yorkshire, 
Northumberland,  North  Lancashire,  Craven,  Halifax 
and  Keighley  Shows. 

Queen  of  the  May  has  been  described  as  almost  a 
model.  Her  loins  and  chine  were  broad  and  deeply 
covered,  her  head  sweetly  feminine  and  her  shoul- 
ders, girth  and  neck  veins  faultless.  Her  quarters 
were  long  and  level;  her  only  weakness  being  at  the 
thigh.  She  was  unfortunately  permanently  injured 
on  a  railway  journey.  Queen  of  the  Vale  and  Queen 
Mab  were  described  in  the  Journal  of  the  Highland 
Agricultural  Society,  after  winning  first  and  second 
respectively,  in  the  following  language : 

"Queen  of  the  Vale  is  a  cow  of  faultless  proportions,  a  perfect 
parallelogram  in  form,  with  well-fleshed,  obliquely-laid  shoulders, 
a  good  head  and  a  very  sweet  neck  and  bosom,  sweeping  finely 
into  the  shoulders,  the  points  of  which  are  completely  hidden  by 


130  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN^    CATTLE 

the  full  neck  vein.  Queen  Mab  is,  if  possible,  still  more  remark- 
able than  her  sister,  for  her  broad,  thick,  level  loins,  depth  of 
twist  and  armful  of  flank;  but  she  is  now  perhaps  less  faultless, 
as  her  hind  quarters  are  becoming  plain  and  patchy  from  fat. 
She  is,  however,  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  Queen  of  the  Vale  in 
her  marvelous  capacity  of  girth,  fore  rib  and  bosom.  Like  her 
sister,  she  maintains  her  cylindrical  proportions  wonderfully 
throughout,  the  ribs  retaining  their  circular  form  up  to  the 
shoulders,  with  which  they  blend  without  any  depression  either 
at  the  crops  or  behind  the  elbow,  and  from  thence  the  fore 
quarters  taper  beautifully  to  the  head." 

The  massive  Queen  of  the  Ocean  was  a  royal  speci- 
men of  her  race,  with  the  traditional  Booth  wealth 
of  flesh,  shortness  of  leg  and  perfect  fore  quarters. 
The  Battersea  judges  called  her  "all  that  a  cow 
should  be. '  ^  She  became  the  dam  of  the  bull  Prince 
of  Battersea,  that  won  a  lot  of  prizes  as  a  calf  and 
yearling  but  died  from  the  effect  of  overheating  at 
the  Newcastle  Eoyal  of  1864.  The  great  price  of 
800  guineas  had  been  refused  for  him.  Queen  of  the 
Vale  had  a  heifer,  Queen  of  the  May  2d,  that  also 
became  a  great  winner.  Three  of  the  victories  of 
Queen  Mab,  Nectarine  Blossom  and  Queen  of  the 
May  reduced  to  Mr.  Booth's  possession  the  Durham 
Society's  100-guinea  challenge  cup,  which  thereafter 
became  an  heirloom  of  the  house  of  Warlaby. 

Vivandiere,  CampfoUower  and  Soldier's  Bride. — 
One  of  the  most  remarkable  of  the  Warlaby  matrons 
was  the  prolific  Vivandiere,  by  Buckingham.  Her 
description  indicates  that  she  was  what  the  Scotch 
herdsmen  call  "a  lady  coo,"  or  what  is  in  common 
cattle-breeding  parlance  a  ''breedy"  cow.    Mr.  Carr 


KILLEKBY    AND    WARLABY  131 

incidentally  gives  us  Richard  Booth's  testimony  to 
be  added  to  that  of  nearly  all  other  eminent  breeders 
to  the  effect  that  good  breeding  cows  usually  have 
good  heads.  He  says:  "The  modest  Vivandiere, 
with  her  beautiful  head,  was  frequently  unobserved, 
except  by  the  admirers  of  a  well-filled  udder,  unless 
brought  into  notice  by  the  quiet  observation  from 
her  owner  'Look  at  that  head  and  hair!'  "  She  had 
ten  calves,  among  them  being  the  prize-winning 
Prince  Alfred,  Prince  Arthur,  Welcome,  Vivacity, 
Verity,  Soldier's  Nurse,  and  the  great  cow  Camp- 
follower.  Prince  Alfred  gained  many  prizes  in  1864 
and  1865,  was  used  at  Windsor,  was  let  one  year  to 
the  Emperor  Napoleon  III  for  the  French  Govern- 
ment Experimental  Farm  and  afterwards  spent 
two  years  at  Lady  Pigot's;  Her  Ladyship  being 
an  enthusiastic  breeder  of  Booth  Short-horns,  and 
producing  among  other  celebrities  Rosedale  by 
Valasco.  Mr.  Booth  did  not  make  a  practice  of 
showing  his  stock  bulls,  but  Dixon  says  that  ''old 
Prince  Alfred  after  making  a  perfect  Ulysses  of 
himself  in  the  home  farms  of  princes,  emperors  and 
baronets  came  out  and  was  first  in  the  bull  class  in 
the  eleventh  year  of  his  age." 

One  of  the  most  valuable  cows  ever  produced  at 
Warlaby  was  Vivandiere 's  daughter  Campfollower, 
by  Crown  Prince.  She  was  described  as  "a  truly 
noble  cow,  with  queenly  gait."  Moreover,  she 
would  have  been  a  profitable  cow  in  any  working 
dairy.     Indeed,  she  died  at  last  from  milk  fever, 


132  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN^   CATTLE 

after  giving  birth  to  the  heifer  Soldier's  Nurse,  that 
was  presented  by  Richard  Booth  to  his  nephews  at 
Killerby.  In  the  hands  of  the  latter  the  ^ '  Nurse ' ' 
produced  Soldier's  Dream  and  the  thick,  heavy- 
fleshed  bull  Brigade  Major,  by  Valasco.  Campfol- 
lower  probably  contributed  as  much  to  the  ultimate 
fame  of  Warlaby  as  any  other  member  of  the  herd. 
Bred  to  Windsor  (14013)  she  produced  in  1859  the 
celebrated  white  show  cow  Soldier's  Bride.  As  a 
yearling  the  latter  grew  into  an  astonishing  speci- 
men of  early  maturity,  and  later  on  became  one  of 
the  most  magnificent  cows  of  her  time,  her  grandly- 
arched  ribs,  beautiful  bosom  and  great  heart-girth 
marking  her  as  one  of  the  outstanding  Short-horns 
of  her  day  and  generation.  She  traveled  the  circuit 
for  several  years  with  her  renowned  stable  com- 
panion Queen  of  the  Ocean,  had  the  honor  of  defeat- 
ing that  extraordinary  cow  upon  several  occasions, 
and  in  1865  became  the  dam  of  the  roan  heifer  Bride 
of  the  Vale,  sold  to  Walcott  &  Campbell  of  New 
York  for  $5,000.  In  the  spring  of  1864  Campfol- 
lower  dropped  the  roan  bull  Commander-in-Chief 
(21451),  by  Valasco  (15443),  in  reference  to  which 
the  venerable  Mr.  Wetherell  said:  ''He  is  the  best 
bull  I  have  seen  since  the  days  of  Comet."  In  the 
hands  of  Mr.  T.  C.  Booth,  who  succeeded  to  the  pos- 
session of  Warlaby  Herd,  Commander-in-Chief  ac- 
quired international  fame. 

Death  of  Richard  Booth.— On  the  31st  of  October, 
1864,  ''full  of  years  and  honors,"  Richard  Booth 


KILLERBY    AND    WARLABY  133 

died  at  the  age  of  seventy-six.  Shortly  before  his 
death  he  had  refused  an  offer  of  £15,000  for  his 
herd,  which,  while  at  that  time  reduced  to  some 
thirty  head,  included,  among  other  ^'future-great" 
individuals,  Lady  Blithe 's  sensational  yearling- 
heifer  Lady  Fragrant  and  Campfollower's  baby  bull 
Commander-in-Chief — a  pair  destined  to  add,  in 
other  hands,  fresh  laurels  to  the  house  of  Booth. 
The  delightful  "Boswell"  of  this  remarkable  family 
of  Short-horn  breeders  (William  Carr)  takes  leave 
of  Eichard  Booth,  ''the  good  old  man,"  in  the  fol- 
lowing characteristic  language: 

"He  sleeps  in  peace  beneath  the  shade  of  the  old  grey  tower  of 
Ainderby,  that  looks  down  upon  the  scene  of  his  useful  and  quiet 
labors.  But  Warlaby  is  there  still,  and  his  kith  and  kin  retain 
its  hall  and  herd.  And  it  may  be  added — for  it  is  a  circumstance 
too  well  known  to  savor  at  all  of  flattery — that  his  nephew  and 
successor,  Mr.  T.  C.  Booth,  is  no  unworthy  or  unskillful  heir, 
while  his  amiable  wife  lends  a  new  charm  to  the  old  place;  and 
his  rising  family  gives  the  promise  of  the  continuance  of  the 
long-continued  Warlaby  herd  for  generations  yet  to  come." 

The   Booth   method    of   breeding. — The    Messrs. 

Booth  always  adhered  to  the  proposition  that  they 
secured  their  best  results  by  interbreeding  their  own 
established  tribes.  At  the  same  time  they  were 
aware  of  the  fact  that  inbreeding  the  cattle  in  their 
possession  was  quite  a  different  proposition  from, 
and  was  probably  attended  by  more  dangers  than, 
inbreeding  as  practiced  by  the  Collings.  In  the 
latter  case  the  cattle  that  were  incestuously  bred 
had  no  prior  relationships.  With  the  Booth  stock 
as  it  existed  at  Warlaby  inbreeding  meant  the  mat- 


134  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORX    CATTLE 

ing  of  close  affinities,  as -nearly  all  ran  back  origin- 
ally to  Hubback  and  Favorite  through  a  hundred 
different  channels.  So  we  find  them  introducing  at 
a  comparatively  early  period  the  Mason  blood  of 
Matchem — to  which  Bates  also  resorted  later — and 
Lord  Stanley  (4269),  of  the  Earl  of  Carlisle's  breed- 
ing. The  breeding  of  John  Booth 's  Bracelet  to  Col. 
Cradock's  Mussulman,  and  of  Richard  Booth's 
White  Strawberry  to  Lord  Lieutenant,  of  Raine's 
blood,  proved  to  be  wise  procedure.  Neither  Buck- 
ingham nor  Leonard,  the  two  bulls  secured  from 
those  outside  services,  were  extraordinary  individ- 
uals. In  fact  the  former  was  called  ' '  shabby. ' '  But 
when  the  fresh  blood  (50  per  cent)  carried  by  these 
bulls  was  reduced  to  25  per  cent,  as  found  in  their 
progeny,  the  result,  as  must  appear  from  the  fore- 
going recital,  was  all  that  could  be  desired.  Indeed, 
in  the  case  of  the  matchless  sire  Crown  Prince  both 
of  these  fresh  currents  met  in  diluted  form.  Lord 
Stanley,  bred  to  Bracelet,  gave  John  Booth's  noted 
show  cow  Birthday. 

Two  later  attempts  at  outcrossing  were  made,  one 
through  the  bull  Exquisite  (8048)  and  the  other 
through  Water  King  (11024),  but  both  were  con- 
sidered at  the  time  as  having  been  unsuccessful. 
Nevertheless  Isabella  Buckingham's  daughter  Sam- 
ple, by  Exquisite,  was  bred  to  Crown  Prince,  and 
the  product  of  that  union — a  heifer  called  Speci- 
men— was  (contrary  to  Mr.  Booth's  usual  practice) 
bred   back    to   her   own    sire  (Crown  Prince);  the 


KILLERBY    AND    WARLABY  135 

double  cross  of  that  bull  upon  the  outcrossed  cow 
producing  the  prize-winning  Lady  Grace,  that  was 
first  at  the  Cleveland  Show  at  Yarm  in  1861.  In 
her  the  true  Booth  type  was  completely  regained, 
and  her  daughter  Graceful  was  one  of  a  pair  of  prize 
heifers  at  Worcester  Eoyal.  Carr  states  that  both 
of  these  animals  were  of  robust  constitution,  with 
abundance  of  hair.  Exquisite  was  bought  by 
Messrs.  Booth  and  Torr  at  the  Wiseton  sale  at  thir- 
teen months  old  for  370  guineas.  He  is  said  to  have 
had  plenty  of  substance  and  ''a  profusion  of  beau- 
tiful hair,'^  and  combined  Mason's  and  Earl  Spen- 
cer's blood. 

Water  King  was  a  roan,  bred  by  Mr.  Torr  from 
Baron  Warlaby  (7813)  out  of  the  Bates  Waterloo 
cow  Water  Witch  by  4th  Duke  of  Northumberland 
(3649).  While  Mr.  Booth  did  not  fancy  his  calves, 
yet  one  of  his  daughters — Peach  Blossom — was  good 
enough  to  go  into  the  show  herd  in  1852,  and  won 
second  to  Bridesmaid  at  the  Royal  at  Gloucester.  A 
Water  King  heifer — Welcome,  from  Campfollower — 
was  called  ''homely,"  but  her  daughter  Welcome 
Hope,  by  Hopewell,  was  good.  Old  Cuddy  said  of 
her:  ''Aye,  Hopewell  has  putten  in  some  gude  work 
when  he  gat  that  heifer.  She  wad  make  up  a  slash- 
in'  cow,  though  she  have  a  touch  o'  Bates  bluid  in 
her;  but  then,  ye  ken,  Hopewell  wad  mak'  up  a' 
deficiencies. ' ' 

The  fecundity  of  the  Booth  cattle  was  unfavor- 
ably affected  by  high  feeding  for  show.    They  had 


136  A  HISTOEY   OF   SHOET-HORX   CATTLE 

not  been  as  intensely  bred  as  the  Bates  Duchesses. 
The  limited  number  of  the  latter  produced  during  a 
period  of  nearly  fifty  years  by  Mr.  Bates — as  shown 
by  the  table  printed  on  page  111 — was  unquestion- 
ably due  to  incestuous  mating.  The  complete  ex- 
tinction, in  the  female  line,  of  some  of  the  best  War- 
laby  tribes — such  as  the  Blossoms  and  Charities — 
was  laid  at  the  door  of  the  exacting  requirements  of 
the  Royal  and  other  show-yards. 

We  may  conclude  this  reference  to  the  work  of 
John  and  Richard  Booth  by  the  following  quotation 
from  Saddle  and  Sirloin: 

"A  more  remarkable  contrast  than  these  two  celebrated  broth- 
ers, both  in  form  and  temperament,  is  seldom  met  with  in  prac- 
tice. John,  the  elder,  was,  like  Robert  Colling,  perhaps  the  more 
original  thinker  of  the  two,  but  not  the  same  steady  worker.  He 
was  more  the  man  of  the  world,  fond  of  a  gallop  with  the  Bedale 
and  always  ripe  and  ready  for  a  little  fun;  while  Richard  was 
much  more  of  the  dignified  recluse  and  thought  'no  place  like 
home.'  John  delighted  to  go  off  on  judging  expeditions,  while 
Richard  never  donned  the  ermine  and  only  cared  for  a  good  lodg- 
ing or  his  'ease  at  mine  inn'  during  a  great  show,  that  he  might 
see  a  few  select  standard-bearers,  who  would  share  his  winning 
pleasure  or  sympathize  with  him  if  he  were  beaten.  John  was  an 
apt  and  ready  speaker  and  never  sat  down  without  some  quaint, 
racy  sentiment  which  set  the  table  in  a  roar;  Richard  merely 
rose^and  bowed  to  the  Chairman  and  Vice  in  turn  and  let  himself 
down  again,  with  a  simple  word  of  thanks  to  the  company.  One 
was  more  off-handed  and  hardly  valued  his  herd  enough;  the 
other  was  the  man  of  business  who  appraised  it  to  a  nicety." 

The  Warlaby  bulls  were  for  years  in  such  demand 
that  it  was  with  difficulty  customers  could  be  sup- 
plied. Ireland's  Short-horn  herds  were  fairly  dom- 
inated by  them,  w^iile  in  England  such  distinguished 


KILLEEBY    AND    WAELABY  137 

breeders  as  Lady  Pigot,  Messrs.  Torr,  Bruere,  Outh- 
waite,  Peel,  Pawlett  and  others,  by  their  intelligent 
manipulation  of  Booth  blood,  assisted  materially  in 
giving  it  that  high  renown  which  it  has  so  long 
enjoyed. 


CHAPTER  VI 
OTHER  EMINENT  ENGLISH  BREEDERS 

The  earlier  volumes  of  the  English  Herd  Book 
contain  the  names  of  many  successful  breeders,  but 
the  operations  of  most  of  them  were  more  or  less 
obscured  by  the  brilliant  achievements  at  Ketton, 
Barmpton,  Killerby,  Kirklevington  and  Warlaby. 
It  must  not  be  supposed,  however,  that  all  early 
knowledge  of  the  art  of  Short-horn  breeding  began 
and  ended  with  the  eminent  breeders  mentioned  in 
the  foregoing  pages.  The  careers  of  these  Napo- 
leons of  the  trade  necessarily  occupy  our  attention 
somewhat  to  the  disadvantage  of  other  worthy 
workers  in  the  cause  of  improvement,  but  no  survey 
of  the  foundation  upon  which  our  American  Short- 
horn breeding  rests  would  be  complete  without  some 
reference  at  this  point  to  a  few  other  herds  that  ex- 
isted prior  to,  or  contemporaneous  with,  the  period 
when  our  leading  pioneer  buyers  entered  the  English 
market. 

Mason  of  Chilton. — About  midway  between  the 
cities  of  Durham  and  Darlington  Mr.  Christopher 
Mason  of  Chilton  established  a  herd  from  which 
Kirklevington,  Killerby,  Warlaby,  Ury,  Sittyton 
and  various  American  herds  derived  undoubted 
elements  of  strength — various  detractors  to  the  con- 

138 


OTHEE  EMINENT  ENGLISH  BREEDERS  139 

trary  notwithstanding.  Mr.  Wetherell  always  in- 
sisted tliat  "Mason  got  rid  of  the  open  shoulders 
and  improved  the  fore  quarters  generally. '^  The 
foundation  of  the  herd  was  drawn  largely  from  the 
stock  of  Mr.  Maynard  of  Eryholme.  One  section  of 
it  descended  through  Miss  Lax,  by  Dalton  Duke 
(188),  a  daughter  of  "the  beautiful  Lady  May- 
nard," bought  by  Charles  Colling,  as  detailed  in  a 
preceding  chapter.  From  this  cow  and  her  white 
heifer,  Lily  by  Favorite  (252),  descended  the  great 
family  of  Victorias  afterwards  so  popular  on  both 
sides  the  Atlantic.  From  Lily's  family  also  came 
Earl  Spencer's  Hecatomb  (2102),  that  defeated  Mr. 
Bates'  renowned  Duke  of  Northumberland  (1940)  at 
York  in  1838.  From  Lily  also  descended  Great 
Mogul  (14651),  first-prize  bull  calf  at  Salisbury 
Royal;  likewise  Exquisite  (8048),  for  which  Messrs. 
Booth  and  Torr  paid  $1,850  as  a  yearling;  and  also 
the  Royal  prize-winning  roan  Bolivar  (25649),  sold 
to  Mr.  Brierley. 

Another  section  of  the  Chilton  herd  descended 
from  the  cow  Fortune,  bred  by  Charles  Colling,  and 
running  through  Bolingbroke  (86),  Foljambe  (263) 
and  Hubback  (319)  to  a  cow  bred  by  Mr.  Maynard. 
She  proved  very  prolific,  giving  Mr.  Mason  ten 
calves  (of  which  six  were  bulls)  between  1796  and 
1807.  America  is  indebted  to  Fortune,  as  founda- 
tion dam,  for  the  Woodburn  Miss  Wileys  and  the 
famous  Bedford  and  Warfield  Loudon  Duchesses. 
Also  for  the  Baroness  family,  ten  of  which  sold  at 


140  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HOEX    CATTLE 

E.  G.  Bedford's  sale  in  1874  for  an  average  of  $600 
each.  Our  Lady  Cliesterfords  claim  a  similar 
origin;  and  of  this  tribe  was  Dodona,  a  noted  Eng- 
lish cow  that,  after  having  been  sold  to  Earl  Spencer 
as  barren,  in  the  skillful  hands  of  Mr.  Jonas  Webb 
had  190  descendants  within  a  period  of  twenty-five 
years.  Matchem  (2281),  sire  of  the  Matchem  cow 
that  gave  Mr.  Bates  his  Oxford  tribe,  was  bred  by 
Mason  from  a  Fortune  foundation.  The  Matchem 
blood  also  went  into  the  Booth  herds.  Usurer 
(9763),  used  by  Lord  Ducie  upon  the  Bates  Duch- 
esses, came  from  Cassandra,  daughter  of  Mr. 
Mason's  No.  25;  and  of  similar  extraction  was  the 
cow  Goodness — ancestress  of  the  American  family 
of  that  name — that  sold  at  auction  in  Kentucky  for 
$2,025. 

Mr.  Mason  made  a  memorable  closing-out  sale  in 
1829,  which  was  largely  attended  by  leading  breed- 
ers. Earl  Spencer  being  one  of  the  heaviest  buyers. 
At  this  sale  the  highest-priced  lot  was  the  three- 
year-old  roan  heifer  Lady  Sarah,  by  Satellite  (1420), 
purchased  by  Capt.  Barclay  of  Ury,  along  with  sev- 
eral other  females,  and  taken  to  Scotland.  Her  dam 
was  the  famous  Portia.  At  Ury  Lady  Sarah  was 
bred  back  to  her  own  son,  Monarch  (4495),  the  pro- 
duce being  the  great  breeding  bull  Mahomed  (6170), 
sire  of  The  Pacha  (7612)  and  other  animals  from 
whence  many  of  Scotland's  greatest  cattle  have  de- 
scended. From  this  same  Mason  sale  also  came 
Mary  Ann  (by  Sillery),  ancestress  of  a  noted  Scot- 


OTHER  EMINENT  ENGLISH  BREEDERS  141 

tish  family.  From  Mr.  Holmes'  purchases  at  this 
sale  (taken  to  Ireland)  Mr.  Amos  Cruickshank 
afterward  obtained  the  foundation  dam  of  the  Sitty- 
ton  Victorias;  and  last,  but  by  no  means  least,  we 
may  pass  some  credit  to  Mason  of  Chilton  for  the 
ancestral  dam  of  the  how-celebrated  Cruickshank 
bull-breeding  Clipper  tribe. 

Lord  Althorpe  (Earl  Spencer). — The  nobility  dis- 
played interest  in  the  breed  in  the  early  days  as 
now.  One  of  the  first  to  engage  in  the  business  was 
Lord  Althorpe,  afterwards  Earl  Spencer,  of  Wise- 
ton,  near  Doncaster.  He  was  prominent  in  politics 
for  many  years  and  on  that  account  unable  to  devote 
as  much  attention  to  the  work  as  tenant  farmers 
could  give  to  it,  but  he  nevertheless  managed  to 
inform  himself  thoroughly  and  finally  accumulated 
probably  the  largest  herd  of  the  day  in  England.* 
Bates  early  acquired  an  influence  over  him,  assisted 
him  in  some  of  his  selections  of  breeding  stock,  was 
frequently  his  guest  at  Wiseton,  and  let  for  his  use 
one  or  two  of  the  earlier  Duchess  bulls,  but  subse- 
quently their  relations  became  strained,  owing,  it 


*Earl  Spencer  was  at  one  time  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer.  Still 
he  had  much  greater  passion  for  Short-horns  than  for  politics.  John 
Grey  of  Dilston,  a  man  who  attained  high  honor  in  connection  with 
North  Country  agriculture,  usually  called  on  His  Lordship  at  the 
Government  offices  when  in  London.  ''You've  come  about  cows,  sir/' 
observed  the  attendant,  ''so  ye'll  no'  have  long  to  wait." 

In  his  younger  days  Grey  was  a  schoolmate  of  John  and  Richard 
Booth  at  Richmond.  He  was  a  great  lover  of  cattle  and  was  wont 
to  spend  his  vacations  with  the  Collings,  Charge  and  Maynard.  Dr. 
Tate  once  asked  him  what  he  found  to  talk  about  during  those  visits, 
to  which  the  youth  rephed  in  due  classic  phrase:  "Comet  et  id  genus 
omne." — Saddle  ayid  SirJoin. 


142  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN"   CATTLE 

is  said,  to  His  Lordship's  endeavoring  to  hire  away 
from  Bates  Robert  Bell,  whom  he  desired  to  put  in 
charge  of  the  Wiseton  Short-horns. 

At  Robert  Colling 's  sale  Lord  Althorpe  purchased 
the  five-year-old  cow  Nonpareil  at  370  guineas,  the 
four-year-old  Rosette  at  300'  guineas,  the  three-year- 
old  bull  Regent  (544)— all  by  Wellington— at  145 
guineas,  and  Diana  by  Favorite,  at  78  guineas.  Mr. 
Bates  warned  him  that  in  his  judgment  these  were 
not  of  desirable  breeding  on  account  of  the  large 
infusion  of  the  blood  of  Ben  (70).  He  also  advanced 
the  superior  claims  of  his  Duchesses,  and  induced 
Althorpe  to  send  the  high-priced  Rosette  to  be  bred 
to  Duke  (226),  after  which  the  Duke  bull  His  Grace 
(311)  was  hired  from  Bates.  At  the  Mason  sale  His 
Lordship  bought  sixteen  females  and  a  bull,  paying 
up  to  145  guineas. 

The  Earl  was  more  or  less  of  a  speculator  in  cattle, 
but  was  credited  with  having  done  much  toward 
making  Short-horns  "fashionable''  among  the  great 
landed  proprietors.  He  is  said  to  have  been  the  first 
to  command  an  extensive  bull  trade,  and  has  been 
called  a  "cow  jobber."  His  herd  was  of  mixed 
origin  and  composition,  and  it  is  said  was  crossed 
in-and-in,  in  imitation  of  the  Collings,  until  consti- 
tution was  sacrificed.  This  fault  seems  to  have  been 
corrected,  however,  for  at  the  time  of  Earl  Spencer's 
death  in  the  "forties"  the  herd  numbered  about  150 
head,  and  his  legatee,  a  Mr.  Hall,  soon  afterward 
disposed  of  them  at  public  sale  at  high  prices,  one 


OTHER  EMINENT  ENGLISH  BREEDERS  143 

bull  bringing  400  guineas,  another  370  guineas,  and 
some  of  the  cows  200  guineas  each. 

Jonas  Whitaker. — Xear  the  great  manufacturing 
city  of  Leeds,  in  Southwestern  Yorkshire,  Mr.  Jonas 
Whitaker,  a  Quaker  cotton-spinner,  built  up  at  Otley 
one  of  the  largest  and  best  herds  of  its  time;  a  herd 
in  which  some  of  the  greatest  of  the  old-time  bulls 
were  used,  and  from  which  our  early  importers  drew 
some  of  their  most  valuable  material.  Whitaker 
had  more  cattle  recorded  in  the  first  three  volumes 
of  cows  in  Coates'  Herd  Book  than  any  breeder  in 
England,  Earl  Spencer  not  excepted.  In  fact  it  was 
due  to  his  personal  efforts  that  Coates  was  enabled 
to  issue  the  first  volume  of  the  herd  book  at  Otley 
in  1822.  He  was  proud  of  the  dairy  capacity  of  his 
stock,  paying  as  much  attention  to  the  udders  as  to 
any  other  point  in  the  conformation  of  his  cows  and 
heifers.  Among  his  most  celebrated  bulls  were 
Frederick  (1060)  and  his  sons  Bertram  (1716)  and 
Fairfax  (1023).  Frederick  was  intensely  bred  in  the 
blood  of  Favorite  and  Comet.  Mr.  Bates '  Enchanter 
(244),  Ketton  3d  (349)  and  2d  Hubback  (1423)  were 
also  in  service.  From  Mason  he  had  His  Highness 
(2125);  from  Col.  Trotter's  came  Plato  (505)  and 
from  Eobert  Colling 's  Harold  (291).  Sir  Charles 
Tempest's  Dan  0 'Council  (3557)  also  appears  in  the 
Whitaker  pedigrees. 

When  the  agents  of  the  Ohio  Importing  Co.  vis- 
ited England  in  1834  they  were  much  impressed  by 
the  excellence  of  Mr.  Whitaker 's  herd  and  bought 


144  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

some  of  their  best  cattle  from  him,  including  the 
cow  Josephine,  by  Norfolk,  and  bull  Duke  of  York 
(1941),  by  Frederick.  From  this  herd  also  came 
George  Kenick's  Prince  Charles  (2461),  by  Norfolk. 
The  Kenicks  used  Whitaker  blood  freely  in  the  Eose 
of  Sharons.  Mr.  Rotch  and  Col.  Powell — American 
importers  of  a  still  earlier  date — had  also  bought  of 
Whitaker,  as  will  be  detailed  further  on. 

Whitaker  drew  him  foundation  stock  from  the  best 
of  the  old-established  herds,  and  had  such  sound 
old  blood  as  that  of  Charles  Ceiling's  Old  Daisy  and 
Magdalena;  Eobert  Ceiling's  Bright  Eyes  and 
Golden  Pippin;  Mason's  Portia;  Maj.  Rudd's 
Daisys;  Mr.  Charge's  Prettymaid  and  Venus;  John 
Booth's  Moss  Roses  and  Bracelets;  Wetherell's  Ro- 
sanne,  a  Red  Rose  through  the  American  Cow's  line; 
Col.  Trotter's  Georgiana,  the  Feldom  tribe,  from 
whence  came  the  celebrated  progeny  of  Fair 
Frances;  Miss  Fairfax,  dam  of  the  Bristol  Royal 
winner  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax;  the  prolific  Moss  Rose, 
and  Nonpareil,  the  dam  of  the  great  bull  Norfolk 
(2377),  sold  to  Mr.  Fawkes  and  resorted  to  by 
Thomas  Bates.  In  fact  Bates  bought  Nonpareil  at 
Mr.  Whitaker 's  dispersion  sale  of  1833  for  102 
guineas,  besides  breeding  some  of  his  best  cows  to 
her  son. 

Wetherell,  the  "Nestor"  of  the  trade. — As  a  mere 
lad  Wetherell  listened  to  the  lively  bidding  under 
the  lime  trees  at  Ketton  in  1810,  and  like  many 
others  had  an  enthusiasm  for  the  "red,  white  and 


OTHEE  EMINENT  ENGLISH  BKEEDERS  145 

roan'*  kindled  in  his  breast  that  day  which  lasted 
throughout  a  long  and  useful  life.  At  Barmpton 
sale  eight  years  later  he  bought  Lady  Anne  at  100 
guineas  and  Cleopatra  at  133  guineas,  and  before 
night  had  them  lodged  at  Holm  House,  where  he 
proceeded  to  build  up  his  first  herd.  Here  was  bred 
the  famous  Eosanna  and  the  bulls  Magnet  (2240) 
and  St.  Leger  (1414),  the  latter  sold  to  Mr.  Rennie 
for  250  guineas.  The  herd  was  closed  out  in  1828 
and  another  founded  near  Durham  by  the  purchase 
at  strong  prices  of  good  cattle  from  contemporary 
breeders.  He  gave  250  guineas  for  Emperor  (1839) 
and  100  guineas  for  his  dam  Blossom  at  Mr.  Hut- 
ton's  sale.  Emperor  was  shown  at  the  Newcastle 
Eoyal  in  1846  and  won  over  a  field  of  twenty-four 
competitors.  He  had  in  this  herd  also  the  cele- 
brated Barmpton  Rose,  and  after  breeding  Princess 
Royal  from  her  she  was  sold  to  Henry  Watson.  She 
was  carrying  at  that  time  Buttercup,  that  became 
the  dam  of  Butterfly,  which  when  crossed  with 
Frederick  produced  at  Towneley  the  never-beaten 
$6,000  Master  Butterfly.  It  was  from  Mr.  Wether- 
elPs  third  herd  at  Kirkbridge  that  Eastwood  got 
Blanche  5th  by  Duke  of  Northumberland  and  Roan 
Duchess.  From  these  came  Towneley 's  great  Roan 
Duchess  2d  and  the  show  heifer  Blanche  6th.  An 
outbreak  of  pleuro-pneumonia  nearly  destroyed  the 
Kirkbridge  Herd  and  the  farm  had  to  be  given  up, 
but  nothing  daunted  a  fourth  herd  was  established 
at  Aldboro.    Here  he  had  in  charge  of  his  devoted 


146  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORNT    CATTLE 

herdsman,  John  Ward,  such  good  ones  as  the  roan 
Moss  Eose,  that  stood  next  to  AVarlaby's  Nectarine 
Blossom  in  many  a  hard-fought  battle ;  the  beautiful 
Stanley  Rose  ''with  her  gay  little  head  and  Bride 
Elect  bosom";  the  stately  broad-backed  Lady  Scar- 
boro  and  the  fine  bull  Statesman,  measuring  twenty- 
six  inches  from  "hooks"  to  tail.  At  Aldsboro  the 
roan  Eosette  was  also  bred  (1856)  and  sold  to  Mr. 
Eastwood,  who  declared  her  the  "best  calf"  he  ever 
saw  and  afterward  "the  sweetest  cow."  She  was 
winner  of  many  Eoyal  and  other  prizes  and  chal- 
lenge cups.  This  herd  was  at  length  dispersed  at  a 
memorable  auction  sale  which  was  well  attended, 
and  averaged  about  seventy-three  guineas  for  forty- 
eight  lots.  Stanley  Eose  topped  the  sale  amid  great 
cheering  at  300  guineas  from  Lady  Pigot. 

In  the  course  of  his  long  and  active  connection 
with  the  trade  Mr.  Wetherell  acquired  a  great  fund 
of  "cattle  lore,"  and  he  was  never  happier  than 
when  in  the  company  of  kindred  spirits  with  whom 
he  could  hold  discourse  on  the  "red,  white  and 
roan."  That  delightful  "gossip"  of  days  "lang 
syne,"  the  late  H.  H.  Dixon,  who  under  the  nom  de 
plume  of  "The  Druid"  has  fairly  thrown  a  glamor 
of  romance  about  the  lives  and  characters  of  the 
leading  British  breeders  and  sportsmen  of  the  olden 
times,    writing    of   Wetherell,    his    home    and    his 

friends,  says: 

"'Nestor's'  little  home  at  Aldborough  has  many  a  herd  me- 
mento on  its  walls.  There  is  the  cow  bred  by  Mr.  Thomas  Booth 
which  he  sold  at  two  years  old  to  Mr.  Carter  of  Theakstone  and 


OTHER  EMINENT  ENGLISH  BREEDERS  147 

then  bought  back  at  beef  price  and  put  to  Comus  (1861).  She 
had  three  heifers,  and  Mr.  Rennie,  Sr.,  of  Phantassie  bid  him  500 
guineas  for  them  and  ended  by  buying  the  oldest  out  of  the  pas- 
ture for  250  guineas.  The  second  went  to  Mr.  Whitkaer.  Three 
roans  are  there  from  Herring's  hand  and  painted  in  Memmon's 
year,  when  he  was  a  struggling  coachman-artist  in  Spring  Gar- 
dens, Doncaster.  Comet  (155)  is  said  to  be  the  only  one  by 
Weaver  in  existence.  Mr.  Wetherell  always  thought  Comet  too 
long,  but  still  a  more  elegant  bull  than  Duke  of  Northumberland, 
who  had  also  to  struggle  against  rather  upright  shoulders. 
Comet's  kith  and  kin  are  there  in  St.  John  and  Gaudy,  by  Favor- 
ite, bred  by  Mason,  who  always  loved  good  hair. 

"  'Bid  me  discourse'  is  an  invitation  Mr.  Wetherell  never  shrank 
from;  and,  with  the  brothers  Colling,  Mr.  Thomas  Booth,  Sir 
Tatton  Sykes,  Capt.  Barclay  and  Mr.  Wiley  on  his  walls,  it  would 
be  strange  if  he  did  not  sit  by  the  hour  in  his  easy  chair  and 
tell  of  old  times  and  Short-horn  doings  when- they  were  all  in 
the  flesh.  At  times  the  gig  comes  for  the  Chief  Baron  to  go  over 
and  spend  a  few  days  at  Killerby  and  Warlaby.  He  presides 
there  in  great  state  at  those  'high-private  trials'  of  Short-horns 
under  the  trees  in  the  home  garth  and  cites  the  Charity  prece- 
dents. Mr.  John  Outhwaite  frequently  assists,  and,  adopting  a 
mode  of  practice  quite  unknown  to  the  Westminster  law  courts, 
that  learned  Baron  generally  backs  his  opinion  from  the  bench 
for  one,  if  not  two,  new  hats. 

"  'Great  constitution'  is  Mr.  Wetherell's  leading  tenet,  but 
'great  size'  never  was;  and  if  he  does  illustrate  it  he  goes  to  Col. 
Cradock,  who  gloried  in  it,  and  whose  'Magnum  Bonum  teas  like 
the  Great  Eastern'  He  always  considers  that  Earl  Spencer  began 
the  bull  trade  and  made  Short-horns,  so  to  speak,  fashionable  with 
the  landlords.  It  was  the  thing  to  go  to  Wlseton — more  espe- 
cially about  the  St.  Leger  time — and  if  visitors  liked  a  cow  they 
bargained  to  give  £50  for  the  produce.  The  Earl  crossed  in  till 
he  sacrificed  constitution — they  had  thin  fore  quarters  and  no 
breasts — and  it  was  then  that  Mason,  a  very  clever,  first-class 
judge,  a  hater  of  'fool's  fat'  and  open  shoulders,  and  most  de- 
cided about  fore  quarters  and  a  good  neck  vein,  came  to  the 
Earl's  aid.  Whitaker  was  a  great  keeper,  and  all  for  the  milk- 
bag,   and    Bates'    mellow,    light-fleshed   sort   grew   less    and    less 


148 


A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN"   CATTLE 


robust — they  would  get  fat,  but  they  would  not  swell  and  thicken 
like  the  Booths,  which  will  stand  any  amount  of  high  pressure. 
Such  is  a  mere  fragment  of  his  confession  of  Short-horn  faith." 

From  Wetlierell's  herd  came  some  of  the  best 
of  the  early  American  importations  into  New  Eng- 
land. 

Wiley  of  Brandsby. — Samuel  Wiley  resided  in  the 
East  Eiding  of  Yorkshire;  "his  long,  low-pitched 
house,  ^yith  the  dark-green  Cotoniastus  creeping 
over  it  and  peeping  with  its  red  Howrets  in  at  every 
lattice,''  being  "quite  the  realization  of  a  snug 
Yorkshire  home."  He  was  a  great  lover  of  Leices- 
ter sheep  and  Short-horns^  and  in  1814  began  cattle- 
breeding  by  hiring  from  Wright  of  Cleasby  a  son 
of  the  $5,000  Comet.  Adonis,  another  Comet  bull, 
did  him  much  good  service,  and  was  followed  by  an 
own  brother,  Jupiter  (343),  the  succession  being 
maintained  by  Xorth  Star  (459)  and  Harold  (291), 
which  were  returned  to  Eobert  Colling  before  the 
Barmpton  sale  of  1818.  At  that  event  he  bought  the 
ten-year-old  bull  Midas  (435),  after  a  bit  of  warm 
work  with  Sir  William  Cooke,  at  170  guineas.  From 
Midas  he  bred  his  great  Grazier  (1085),  that  was 
used  by  Sir  John  Johnstone,  Lord  Feversham,  Smith 
of  West  Easen  and  others  until  fourteen  years  of 
age.  One  of  his  best  sons  was  Ganthorpe  (2049), 
bred  at  Castle  Howard.  Whitaker  blood  was  intro- 
duced by  Mr.  Wiley  through  His  Highness  (2125), 
an  own  brother  to  the  210-guinea  Highflyer  at  the 
Mason  sale.  Sultan  (1485),  a  descendant  of  Gen. 
Simson's  300-guinea  purchase,  Mary,  at  C.  Colling 's 


OTHER  EMINENT  ENGLISH  BREEDERS  149 

sale,  was  also  used  after  having  proved  his  worth 
by  siring  in  Northumberland  a  class  of  cattle  that 
the  border  breeders  for  many  years  fondly  styled 
' '  the  good  old  Jobson  sort. ' '  Sultan  got  during  his 
one  year's  service  at  Brandsby  the  cow  Sultana, 
from  which  to  the  cover  of  Belshazzar,  that  had  been 
hired  from  Castle  Howard,  was  bred  the  famous 
bull  Carcase  (3285),  that  as  a  yearling  stood  second 
to  Hecatomb  at  York  in  1838  in  the  bull  champion- 
ship class,  defeating  Mr.  Bates'  Duke  of  Northum- 
berland, and  was  soon  afterward  sold  for  200 
guineas. 

Another  prize  bull  of  Wiley's  breeding  was  Van 
Dunck  (10992),  champion  at  the  Yorkshire,  first- 
prize  two-year-old  at  the  Highland,  and  after  being 
placed  second  in  the  bull  championship  at  same  show 
to  Maynard's  Crusade  sold  for  125  guineas  to  an 
Aberdeenshire  man.  The  Wiley  cattle  were  not 
much  shown  for  a  number  of  years  after  these  victo- 
ries, but  prizes  were  not  infrequently  won  on 
Brandsby  bullocks  at  York  Fat-Stock  Shows.  As 
late  as  1869  Mr.  Wiley  reappeared  with  show  cattle 
at  the  Eoyal  at  Manchester,  where  he  won  first  in  a 
ring  of  two  dozen  bulls  with  Earl  of  Derby,  and  at 
the  Yorkshire  the  same  bull  was  second  to  War- 
laby's  great  Commander-in-Chief. 

The  Knightley  '  Tillpails. "— Sir  Charles  Knight- 
ley  of  Fawsley  Park,  Daventry,  after  giving  up 
hounds,  about  1818,  founded  a  herd  in  the  Midlands 
that  acquired  a  celebrity  for  its  output  of  milk, 


150  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORX    CATTLE 

cream,  butter  and  beef  even  more  famous  than  that 
attained  by  Whitaker.  Indeed,  the  ''Fawsley  Fill- 
pails,'^  with  their  "beautiful  fore  quarters,  gay  car- 
riage, general  elegance  and  strong  family  likeness," 
were  long  recognized  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic 
as  constituting  a  type  within  the  breed  almost  as 
distinct  as  those  to  which  Bates  and  the  Booths  gave 
their  names.  A  marked  uniformity  was  attained 
by  the  interbreeding  of  several  different  tribes.  The 
Rosys  sprang  from  a  cow  of  that  name,  bred  by  Mr. 
Barker  of  Eichmond;  the  Rubys  were  obtained  from 
a  cow  of  Hon.  C.  Arbuthnot's  breeding;  the  Prim- 
roses came  from  the  old  Charge  stock ;  the  Quickleys 
from  a  cow  called  Valuable,  bought  from  Maj. 
Bower,  and  the  Walnuts  from  a  Booth  foundation. 
After  a  dash  of  Booth — through  the  bulls  Argus 
(759)  and  Swing  (2721) — and  a  cross  from  Robert- 
son, of  Ladykirk  through  Caliph  (1774),  the  process 
of  crossing  the  descendants  of  these  foundation 
dams  was  begun ;  among  the  Fawsley-bred  sires  used 
in  this  concentration  being  the  noted  Ruby  bulls 
Grey  Friar  (9172)  and  Little  John  (4232).  A  new 
element  came  in  through  the  Arbuthnot  cow  Sylph 
(ancestress  of  the  celebrated  Charmer  and  Sweet- 
heart families),  bought  especially  to  breed  a  bull 
from.  To  a  service  by  Little  John  she  produced 
Fawsley  (6004),  a  sire  that  was  extensively  used. 
The  successful  inbreeding  of  these  strains  was  fol- 
lowed by  a  well-considered  cross  of  Princess  blood 
through  the  noted  Earl  of  Dublin  (10178),  a  white 


OTHEE  EMINENT  ENGLISH  BREEDERS  151 

bull  bred  by  J.  Stephenson  of  Wolviston,  tracing  to 
Angelina  by  Phenomenon,  the  mother  of  the  dam 
of  Belvedere  (1706).  John  Thornton  says:  "Sir 
Charles  took  a  great  fancy  to  the  Earl  of  Dublin, 
but  the  only  opinion  that  could  be  obtained  from  him 
was  that  'any  bull  was  big  enough  if  he  were  good 
enough/  " 

At  a  memorable  sale  held  at  Fawsley  in  1856  the 
celebrated  white  cow  Cold  Cream,  by  Earl  of  Dub- 
lin, was  bought  for  the  Royal  herd  at  Windsor  at 
100  guineas,  a  great  price  for  the  times.  A  grand- 
daughter of  this  fine  dairy  cow.  Lady  Knightley  2d, 
was  first-prize  winner  at  the  Eoyal  as  a  yearling, 
and  was  sold  for  500  guineas  to  Walcott  &  Campbell 
of  New  York  Mills,  at  whose  sale  she  brought  $3,100 
and  her  two  daughters  $5,000  and  $4,000  respec- 
tively. Bosquet,  a  bull  whose  name  is  often  met  with 
in  North  Country  pedigrees,  bought  by  Hay  of  She- 
thin  at  the  Fawsley  sale  of  1856  for  200  guineas,  was 
of  this  same  branch  (Furbelow)  of  the  Quickley 
tribe.  At  this  same  great  sale  Mr.  Thome  of  New 
York  bought  four  Rosys  at  an  average  of  about 
$590  each.  The  Knightleys  seemed  to  nick  particu- 
larly well  with  Bates-bred  sires  in  the  hands  of  cer- 
tain leading  English  breeders,  and  were  for  many 
years  classed  among  the  best  Short-horns  of  their 
time. 

Fawkes  of  Farnley  Hall.— ''The  vale  of  the 
Wharfe  is  adorned  with  elegant  mansions,  and  the 
views  obtained  from  the  neighboring  elevations  are 


152  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

at  once  noble  and  inspiring."  So  runs  a  paragraph 
in  an  old  Yorkshire  chronicle.  It  was  here  that 
Whitaker  had  his  cattle,  and  hard  by  the  little  mar- 
ket town  of  Otley  was  established  also  the  fine  old 
herd  of  Mr.  F.  H.  Fawkes  of  Farnley  Hall.  Whit- 
aker *s  Norfolk  (2377),  the  grand  roan  bull  for  which 
the  Ohio  Co.  offered  $2,000  in  vain,  was  the  first  bull 
purchase,  and  in  1834  Verbena  and  Medora  were 
bought  at  Richard  Booth's  Studley  sale.  They  were 
only  "babies"  at  the  time,  but  Medora  developed 
into  a  noble  cow  and  produced  nine  calves.  It  seems 
that  after  Whitaker  disposed  of  his  herd  in  1833  he 
bought  some  three  dozen  well-bred  Short-horn  cows 
for  the  use  of  the  help  at  the  Burley  Mills.  Mr. 
Fawkes  was  so  favorably  impressed  with  this  useful 
set  of  cows  that  he  arranged  to  have  a  number  of 
them — to  be  chosen  by  himself — bred  to  Norfolk. 
He  was  to  pay  ten  guineas  for  each  calf  at  a  week 
old,  provided  it  ' '  did  not  have  a  black  nose  and  had 
no  symptoms  of  unsoundness."  Some  sixty  head 
were  thus  transferred  to  Fawsley,  and  the  first  ten 
bull  calves  by  Norfolk  averaged  100  guineas  each. 
One  of  these  was  out  of  a  half-sister  to  the  cow 
Young  Phyllis,  ancestress  of  the  American  family  of 
that  name,  and  grew  up  to  fame  under  the  title  Sir 
Thomas  Fairfax  (5196),  a  Royal  and  Yorkshire 
winner.  He  was  sold  at  four  years  to  B.  Wilson  of 
Brawith  for  250  guineas.  These  Whitaker  cows  and 
others,  mainly  of  Booth,  Buccleuch  and  Brawith 
breeding,  constituted  a  herd   that  supplied  many 


OTHEK  EMINENT  ENGLISH  BREEDERS  153 

prize  bulls  and  heifers  at  the  English  shows, 
among  them  being  the  white  Lord  Marquis  (10459), 
by  the  200-guinea  bull  Laudable  (9282).  The  dam 
of  the  Marquis  was  out  of  Zuleika,  a  daughter  of 
Norfolk's,  out  of  the  Booth-bred  Medora. 

John  Thornton  tells  us  that  the  herd  was  made  up 
largely  of  "full  roans,",  and  it  was  the  oivner's  prac- 
tice to  use  light-colored  hulls  on  dark-colored  cows 
as  being  more  productive  of  good  colors.  Mr. 
Fawkes  took  a  keen  delight  in  his  cattle,  and  loved 
to  entertain  appreciative  visitors  not  only  with  the 
roans  in  his  pastures  but  among  the  wondrous 
' '  Turners ' '  that  hung  in  the  picture  galleiy  at  ' '  the 
HalL" 

William  Torr. — One  of  the  most  remarkable  char- 
acters of  his  time  was  Torr  of  Eiby  and  Aylesby, 
Lincolnshire.  A  contemporary  of  John  and  Richard 
Booth  and  Thomas  Bates,  a  man  of  indomitable  en- 
ergy and  extraordinary  resources,  holding  thou- 
sands of  acres  under  lease,  he  acquired  fame  as  a 
successful  tenant  farmer  second  to  none  in  English 
history.  Leicester  sheep  and  Short-horns  were  his 
favorite  "rent-payers."  The  latter  he  bred  along 
independent  lines  for  some  twenty  years,  but  in  1844 
he  took  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  house  of  Booth, 
beginning  with  two  years'  service  from  the  white 
Lord  Lieutenant-White  Strawberry  bull  Leonard 
(4210).  Vanguard  (10994),  by  Buckingham  out  of 
Young  Isabella,  came  for  six  years  and  left  a  grand 
set  of  cows,  possessing  great  scale,  deep  flesh  and 


154  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HORN^    CATTLE 

rare  coats.  He  was  exchanged  for  one  year  for 
Crown  Prince,  and  left  altogether  some  200  calves. 
Baron  Warlaby  (7813) — by  Buckingham — Hope- 
well, British  Prince,  Fitzclarence,  Royal  Bride- 
groom, Prince  of  Warlaby,  Leonidas,  Monk,  Lord 
Blithe  and  Mountain  Chief  were  all  hired  from  Rich- 
ard Booth,  and  from  Barnes  of  Ireland  came  Dr. 
McHale  and  The  Druid.  From  his  own  Booth-bred 
stock  were  derived  such  sires  as  Booth  Royal, 
Breastplate,  Killerby  Monk  and  Blinkhoolie. 

Torr's  herd  became  in  its  latter  days  one  of  the 
most  celebrated  in  England,  and  its  dispersion  was 
marked  by  most  extraordinary  prices.  As  this  did 
not  occur,  however,  until  1875  we  will  reserve  fur- 
ther details  for  a  subsequent  chapter. 

The  long  roll  of  honor. — To  undertake  individual 
comment  upon  the  work  of  all  who  are  specially  de- 
serving by  reason  of  their  success  in  breeding,  from 
the  days  of  the  Collings  down  to  the  great  rise  of  the 
Bates  and  Booth  power,  is  indeed  a  hopeless  task. 
The  records  of  Coates'  Herd  Book  and  of  the  Eng- 
lish sale-rings  and  show-yards  abound  in  evidence 
of  the  fact  that  hundreds  of  strong,  sturdy  charac- 
ters in  various  parts  of  the  United  Kingdom  were 
engaged  in  the  upbuilding  of  the  breed.  We  cannot 
indeed  begin  to  mention  in  this  connection  even  the 
names  of  all  who  have  earned  the  gratitude  of  pos- 
terity for  their  intelligent  devotion  to  the  work  of 
Short-horn  improvement.  We  have  only  given  place 
in  this  chapter  to  the  foregoing  personal  references 


'  OTHEE  EMINENT  ENGLISH  BREEDERS  155 

by  way  of  emphasizing  tlie  fact  that  the  breed  did 
not  lack  intelligent  champions  outside  of  the  recog- 
nized leaders  in  the  work.  Those  named  were  per- 
haps not  more  worthy  than  many  of  their  contempo- 
raries, but  to  particularize  further  would  burden  our 
work  too  heavily  with  foundation  facts. 

We  would  feign  dwell  here  upon  what  was  done 
by  such  men  as  the  Jobsons,  Charge  of  Darlington, 
Lawson  of  Stapleton,  Cattley  of  Brandsby,  Col.  Cra- 
dock,  R.  Thornton,  Messrs.  Crofton,  George  Coates, 
the  Wrights  of  Cleasby,  Sir  C.  R.  Tempest,  Cham- 
pion of  Blyth,  Unthank  of  Penrith,  Smith  of  West 
Rasen,  A.  L.  and  J.  C.  Maynard,  Maj.  Bower,  Hon. 
J.  Simpson,  Col.  Trotter,  W.  F.  Paley,  Rev. 
H.  Berry,  Lax  of  Ravens  worth,  Maj.  Rudd,  Raine, 
B.  Wilson  of  Brawith,  Wilkinson  of  Lenton,  Capt. 
Barclay  of  Ury,  Amos  Cruickshank,  Rennie  of  Phan- 
tassie,  Robertson  of  Ladykirk,  Grant  Duff  of  Eden, 
and  point  out  the  distinguished  service  rendered  to 
the  breed  in  its  earlier  years  by  such  noblemen  as 
the  Earl  of  Carlisle  of  Castle  Howard,  Yorkshire; 
the  Marquis  of  Exeter,  Stamford ;  the  Duke  of  Leeds 
and  of  Buccleuch,  Earl  Brownlow  and  other  great 
landed  proprietors.  We  are  tempted  here  also  to  go 
into  the  operations  of  Earl  Ducie  of  Tortworth,  Bow- 
ly  of  Siddington,  Bruere  of  Braithwaite,  Peel  of 
Knowlmere,  Col.  Towneley  and  others  who  carried 
the  colors  of  the  reds,  whites  and  roans  to  such 
great  heights  at  a  little  later  period,  but  we  have 
now  reached  the  point  where  we  must  begin  our 


156  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOKT-HORX    CATTLE 

account  of  the  breed  in  the  New  World,  in  the  course 
of  which  we  shall  have  occasion  to  revert  not  only 
to  some  of  these  but  to  the  herds  of  Scotland. 

The  visitor  in  Britain  will  find  many  memorials 
of  Wellington  and  Nelson.  The  heroes  of  Waterloo 
and  Trafalgar  England  has  indeed  not  forgotten. 
Her  parks  and  public  places  are  decorated  by  cap- 
tured cannon.  Deep  down  in  their  hearts,  however, 
the  English  people  have  an  equal  pride  in  what  has 
been  accomplished  in  their  pastures  and  paddocks. 
The  paths  of  peace  have  indeed  yielded  to  them 
*  Victories  no  less  renowned  than  those  of  war.*' 
The  wealth,  the  brains,  the  persistence  of  the  British 
nation  have  joined  with  nature  in  developing  an 
agriculture  that  has  proved  fruitful  beyond  com- 
pare in  the  production  of  improved  varieties  of 
flesh-bearing  animals.  No  National  memorial  is 
needed  to  commemorate  the  triumph  of  men  like 
those  whose  names  have  been  enumerated  in  this  and 
preceding  chapters.  They  have  won  their  way  into 
the  memories  and  affectionate  regard  of  the  Anglo- 
Saxon  world  in  a  manner  at  once  peaceful,  practical 
and  patriotic.  Every  man,  woman  or  child  who  sets 
tooth  in  savory  sirloin  or  rich  roast  ^^rib  of  beef 
pays  involuntary  tribute  to  the  genius  of  those  who 
led  the  early  line  of  progress  in  cattle-breeding  in 
the  historic  confines  of  York  and  Durham. 


CHAPTER  VII 
FIEST  IMPORTATIONS  TO  AMEEICA 

From  the  green  pastures  of  Old  England  to  the 
Western  shores  of  the  stormy  North  Atlantic  was 
indeed  "a  far  cry"  to  those  enterprising  pioneers 
who  first  conceived  the  idea  of  transplanting  Short- 
horns from  these  ancestral  herds  to  the  virgin  soil 
of  the  United  States.  Ocean  cables  and  fast  "liners'' 
were  not  at  their  command.  Three  thousand  miles 
of  watery  waste  had  to  be  traversed  by  vessels  sail- 
ing at  the  mercy  of  ^olus,  and  the  god  of  the  winds 
was  not  always  in  a  propitious  mood.  However,  this 
did  not  operate  as  a  bar  upon  the  aspirations  of  those 
who,  knowing  the  merit  of  the  newly-established 
Short-horn  breed,  determined  to  introduce  the  blood 
in  the  seaboard  States.  Unfortunately  we  have  no 
verified  records  as  to  earliest  shipments. 

Virginia  in  the  Van. — The  Republic  is  indebted  to 
the  Old  Dominion  for  the  primal  importation  of 
Short-hom  cattle.  No  sooner  had  the  war  of  the 
Eevolution  reached  a  triumphant  termination  under 
the  masterly  guidance  of  the  great  Virginian  than 
the  work  of  providing  the  ways  and  means  for  a 
more  diversified  system  of  agriculture  was  taken  up 
by  the  farmers  and  planters  of  that  section.  Some- 
thing more  than  tobacco  was  wanted.    The  historic 

157 


158  A    HISTORY    OF    SIIORT-UORX    CATTLE 

"valley"  was  really  well  adapted  to  the  require- 
ments of  live-stock  husbandry.  As  nearly  as  can  be 
ascertained  at  this  late  day  it  was  in  1783  that  the 
first  improved  cattle  were  purchased  in  England 
for  Virginia.  A  Mr.  Miller  of  that  State  in  connec- 
tion with  Mr.  Gough  of  Baltimore,  must  be  given 
credit  for  the  initial  shipment.  As  to  the  number 
purchased  no  record  has  been  preserved.  As  to  their 
character  we  only  know  that  they  represented  two 
distinct  types — one  known  locally  as  the  milk  breed 
and  the  other  as  the  beef  breed. 

Character  of  the  Gough  &  Miller  cattle. — The 
"milk  breed"  was  described  as  having  short  horns 
and  heavy  and  compact  carcasses,  the  cows  display- 
ing marked  dairy  propensities.  In  color  they  were 
red,  red-and-white  and  roan — proof  positive  that 
they  were  of  Short-horn  origin.  The  stock  of  the 
* '  beef  breed ' '  were  longer-horned  and  ' '  rangier ' '  in 
conformation.  They  lacked  the  smooth,  even  lines 
of  the  so-called  "milk  breed"  and  were  slower  in 
coming  to  maturity.  They  attained  large  size  and 
made  heavy  carcasses  of  beef  when  fully  grown  and 
finished.  It  seems  equally  certain,  therefore, .  that 
they  represented  one  of  the  older  types  of  the  breed, 
probably  the  sort  bred  in  the  Holderness  district  of 
Yorkshire.  This  importation,  it  will  be  noted,  ante- 
dates the  Colling  improvement.  About  two  years 
later,  or  somewhere  between  1790  and  1795,  one  or 
both  of  these  same  pioneer  importers  made  a  further 
shipment  of  cattle  of  similar  types  from  England. 


FIRST   IMPOETATIONS   TO   AMERICA  159 

That  good  use  was  made  of  this  blood  in  the  valley 
of  the  South  branch  of  the  Potomac  and  adjacent 
territory  cannot  be  doubted.  Then,  as  now,  the 
' '  first  families ' '  of  the  Dominion  were  proud  of  their 
country  estates,  possessing  the  real  English  fond- 
ness for  rural  pursuits  and  the  finer  types  of  domes- 
tic animal. 

Kentucky  and  the  Fatten  stock. — The  making  of 
the  Ohio  Valley  States  soon  followed.  Over  the 
walls  of  the  Alleghenies,  lured  by  the  golden 
promise  of  the  fair  and  fruitful  lands  beyond  the 
Blue  Eidge,  the  Virginians  entered  into  the  price- 
less heritage  of  the  blue-grass  regions  of  Ohio  and 
Kentucky.  The  former  grazing-grounds  of  the  bison 
were  dedicated  to  lowing  herds,  showing  in  many 
instances  traces  of  the  magic  touch  of  roan.  In  the 
first  introduction  of  the  Gougli  &  Miller  blood  into 
Central  Kentucky  we  find,  therefore,  the  germ  of 
the  gigantic  American  cattle  trade  of  the  present 
day.  The  conjunction  of  Short-horn  blood  w^ith  the 
rich  grains  and  grasses  of  the  Ohio  Valley  called 
into  being  an  industry  that  has  not  yet  received  its 
full  credit  in  connection  with  ^'the  winning  of  the 
West."  Lewis  F.  Allen  tells  the  story  of  how  the 
Pattons  laid  the  foundation  for  nearly  all  that  fol- 
lows in  this  volume  relating  to  the  extension  of 
Short-horn  blood  throughout  the  great  agricultural 
States  in  the  following  language: 

"Two  years  after  the  first  importation,  in  the  year  1785,  two 
sons  and  a  son-in-law  (Mr.  Gay)  of  Mr.  Matthew  Patton,  then  a 
resident  of  Virginia,  took  into  Clark  Co.,  Ky.,  one  of  its  fine 


160 


A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOE X    CATTLE 


bluegrass  localities,  a  young  bull  and  several  heifers,  half  blooded 
(and  they  could  only  have  been  calves  or  less  than  yearlings), 
of  their  then-called  'English'  cattle.  These  animals  were  said  to 
have  been  purchased  of  Mr.  Gough.  It  is  not  necessary  to  fur- 
ther note  these  animals,  as  they  were  but  grades,  only  to  show 
the  spirit  of  enterprise  among  some  of  the  early  cattle-breeders 
of  the  State  in  obtaining  better  stock  than  Kentucky  then  af- 
forded for  their  improvement. 

"In  1790  the  elder  Mr.  Patton  removed  from  Virginia  to  Clark 
County,  in  Kentucky,  and  took  with  him  a  bull  and  cow  directly 
descended  from  the  Gough  &  Miller  importation  of  the  'milk' 
breed,  also  some  half-blooded  cows  of  both  the  'milk'  and  'beef 
breeds.  The  'beef  breed  were  'long-haired,  large,  coarse,  slowly 
coming  to  maturity  and  fattening  badly  until  fully  grown,  yet 
tolerable  milkers.'  The  'milk'  breed  (of  which  the  bull  and  cow 
first  named  were  of  pure  descent)  were  short-horned,  coming 
early  to  maturity  and  fattening  kindly.  Their  milking  quali- 
ties were  extraordinary.  It  was  not  at  all  uncommon  for  cows 
of  this  breed  to  give  thirty-two  quarts  of  milk  daily.  The  Short- 
horn bull,  red  in  color,  with  white  face,  rather  heavy  horns  yet 
smooth  and  round  in  form,  was  called  Mars.  He  is  recorded  by 
number  1850,  American  Herd  Book.  The  cow  was  called  Venus, 
white  in  color,  with  red  ears,  small  short  horns  turning  down. 
She  bred  two  bull  calves  to  Mars  and  soon  afterward  died.  Mars 
got  many  calves  on  the  native  cows  in  Kentucky,  which  were  said 
by  the  old  breeders  to  be  both  excellent  milkers  and  good  fatten- 
ing animals.  Mars  remained  with  Mr.  Patton  until  the  death  of 
the  latter,  in  1803,  when  the  bull  was  sold  to  a  Mr.  Peeples,  in 
Montgomery  Co.,  Ky.,  in  whose  possession  he  died  in  1806.  Of 
the  two  bulls  descended  from  Mars  and  Venus  one  was  taken  to 
Jessamine  Co.,  Ky.,  the  other  to  Ohio,  probably  the  Scioto  Val- 
ley; but  as  all  this  breed  or  breeds,  in  their  various  intermix- 
tures after  their  introduction  in  Kentucky,  were  called  'Patton 
stock,'  they  became  commingled,  the  shorter-horned  and  refined 
ones  with  the  longer-horned  and  coarser  ones,  and  were,  for 
many  years  afterward,  universally  known  by  that  name  only. 

"In  the  year  1803  Mr.  Daniel  Harrison,  James  Patton  and 
James  Gray,  of  Clark  Co.,  Ky.,  bought  of  Mr.  Miller,  the  importer, 
living  in  Virginia,   a  two-year-old  bull,  descended   from  a  bull 


FIRST   IMPORTATIONS   TO   AMERICA  161 

and  cow  of  his  importation.  This  bull  was  called  Pluto  (825  A. 
H.  B.)  and  said  to  be  of  the  'milk'  breed.  He  is  described  as 
'dark-roan  or  red  in  color,  large  in  size,  with  small  head  and 
neck,  light  short  horns,  small-boned  and  heavily  fleshed.'  He 
was  bred  mostly  to  'Patton'  cows  and  produced  some  fine  milk- 
ers. He  was  taken  to  Ohio  about  the  year  1812  and  died  soon 
afterward. 

"In  the  year  1810  Capt.  William  Smith  of  Fayette  Co.,  Ky., 
purchased  of  the  before-mentioned  Mr.  Miller  of  Virginia  and 
brought  to  Kentucky  a  bull  called  Buzzard  304  (3254).  He  was 
coarser,  larger,  and  taller  than  Pluto,  but  not  so  heavy.  He 
was  bred  in  different  herds  many  years,  and  also  used  by  the 
Society  of  Shakers  at  Pleasant  Hill,  Mercer  Co.,  Ky.,  in  1821 
and  for  some  years  afterward. 

"In  the  year  1811  the  bull  Shaker  (2193  A.  H.  B.)  was 
bought  of  Mr.  Miller  aforesaid,  and  used  some  years  both  by  the 
Pleasant  Hill,  Ky.,  and  Union  Village,  0.,  Societies  of  Shakers. 
They  afterward  sold  him  to  Messrs.  Welton  and  Hutchcraft  of 
Kentucky.  He  was  of  the  'milk,'  or  Short-horn  breed.  This  ac- 
count we  have  from  Messrs.  Micajah  Burnett  of  the  Pleasant 
Hill  and  Peter  Boyd  of  the  Union  Village  Societies,  and  al- 
though they  each  differ  in  some  non-essential  items  the  identity 
of  the  bull  is  fully  recognized.  These  four  bulls,  viz.,  Mars, 
Pluto,  Buzzard  and  Shaker,  appear  to  have  been  purely  bred 
from  the  Gough  &  Miller  importations  previous  to  the  year  1810. 
From  these  bulls,  but  not  on  equally  pure-hred  cows  of  those 
importations,  descended  many  animals  whose  pedigrees  have 
been  recognized  and  recorded  as  Short-horns  in  the  earlier  vol- 
umes of  the  English  Herd  Book,  and  of  consequence  since  in  the 
American  Herd  Book,  as  the  latter  is  founded  on  the  English 
publication  as  standard  authority  in  all  matters  of  Short-horn 
genealogy. 

"During  the  years  above  mentioned  several  other  bulls  from 
the  Gough  &  Miller  Virginia  stock  were  brought  into  Kentucky 
and  Ohio— some  with  names  and  some  without  names  other  than 
those  of  their  owners — as  'Inskip's  Bull,'  'Peeples'  Bull'  (Mars, 
probably),  'Witherspoon's  Bull,'  'Bluff,'  and  others.  Some  pedi- 
grees in  the  herd  books  run  back  into  several  of  those  bulls, 
which,  as  many  pure-bred  crosses  have  since  been  made  upon 


162  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

their  descendants  and  been  recorded  in  the  English  Herd  Book, 
must  be  classed  in  the  family  of  Short-horns. 

"From  the  above  accounts  it  is  understood  where  and  how  the 
Tatton  stock'  originated.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  some  of 
the  original  importations  of  Gough  &  Miller  were  well-bred  cat- 
tle of  the  Short-horn  or  Teeswater  breed  (which  were  identical 
in  original  blood),  but  without  pedigrees;  also  that  others  of 
them  may  have  been  of  the  Holderness  variety — coarser  and  less 
improved — of  the  same  race.  From  the  various  accounts  which 
we  have  gathered  from  different  quarters  in  Ohio  and  Kentucky 
some  of  them  were  rough  animals,  tardy  in  arriving  at  matur- 
ity; others  fine  both  in  figure  and  quality,  and  most  of  the  cows 
descended  from  them  proved  excellent  milkers.  Their  colors 
were  more  or  less  red,  white  and  roan,  which  are  true  Short- 
horn colors. 

"These  accounts  are  about  as  accurate  and  as  much  to  the 
point  as  the  English  traditions  relating  to  the  ancient  Short- 
horns or  Teeswaters  in  their  native  land,  and  may  be  received 
as  a  fair  basis  on  which  to  found  the  genealogy  of  all  the  pedi- 
grees which  trace  back  into  the  'Patton'  blood  and  are  found 
recorded  in  both  the  English  and  American  Herd  Books." 

An  early  New  York  importation. — Tradition  is 
authority  for  the  statement  that  about  the  year  1791 
a  Mr.  Heaton,  who  had  emigrated  from  England  to 
New  York  in  1775  and  followed  for  some  years  the 
occupation  of  a  butcher,  returned  to  England  and 
brought  back  with  him  several  Short-horn  cattle 
from  the  herd  of  George  Culley  of  Northumberland. 
What  became  of  these  cattle  neither  tradition  nor 
w^ritten  history  of  the  day  records.  In  1796  it  is 
further  stated  that  Mr.  Heaton  returned  to  England 
and  brought  out  a  bull  and  cow  which  he  had  bought 
from  one  of  the  brothers  Colling  and  took  them  to 
his  farm  in  Westchester  Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  he  then 
resided.    It  is  surmised  that  the  Short-horns  which 


FIRST  IMPORTATIONS  TO  AMERICA  163 

he  had  previously  imported  had  also  been  taken  to 
that  place,  but  as  to  this  there  is  no  verified  account. 
What  finally  became  of  the  Heaton  cattle  and  their 
descendants  nothing  definite  is  known,  except  that 
some  superior  cattle  were  for  many  years  grown  in 
Westchester  Co.,  N.  Y.,  after  the  present  century 
came  in,  but  no  pedigrees  of  them  have  been  traced 
except  in  one  or  two  instances  through  ^'Brisbane's 
bull,'-'  which  was  purchased  of  Mr.  Heaton  by  the 
late  Mr.  James  Brisbane  of  Batavia,  N.  Y.,  in  the 
early  years  of  this  century.  The  bull  left  much  val- 
uable stock  in  the  vicinity  of  Batavia  and  was  sup- 
posed to  be  a  pure-bred  Short-horn.  Of  the  Heaton 
stock  retained  in  the  vicinity  of  New  York  nothing 
further  is  known.  It  is  altogether  probable  that  the 
people  of  that  vicinity,  knowing  little  of  any  breed 
in  those  days,  let  the  stock  "run  out,"  and  that  the 
blood  was  finally  lost  in  the  common  herds  of  the 
country.* 

The  Cox  importation. — While  the  Virginians  were 
settling  upon  the  virgin  fields  of  Kentucky,  and 
helping  to  occupy  the  rich  country  to  the  north  of 
the  broad  stream  of  the  Ohio,  enterprising  men  were 
seeking  to  introduce  advanced  ideas  in  agriculture 
throughout  the  territory  once  dominated  by  the 
Iroquois.  ''Squaw-farming"  had  not  caused  the 
lands  of  the  Empire  State  to  blossom  as  the  rose, 
and  the  white  pioneers  had  made  little  progress  in 
the  line  of  live-stock  improvement. 


*In  this  connection  see  also  the  story  of  the  importation  and  return 
of  "The  American  Cow,"  page  48. 


164  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

Immediately  after  the  close  of  the  war  of  1812 
with  the  mother  country  Mr.  Cox,  an  Englishman, 
brought  into  Rensselaer  County,  near  Albany,  N. 
Y.,  a  Short-horn  bull  and  two  cows  that  were  placed 
upon  the  farm  of  Mr.  Cadwallader  Colden.  This 
was  before  Coates  and  Whitaker  had  brought  the 
English  Herd  Book  even  to  its  manuscript  stage. 
No  pedigrees  came  with  the  cattle.  From  this  trio 
a  numerous  progeny  resulted,  known  in  Short-horn 
parlance  as  "Cox  Importation  Cattle.''  The  de- 
scendants of  the  Cox  cows  were  subsequently  crossed 
by  the  bulls  Comet  (or  Cornet)  2649  (158)  and  Nel- 
son 1914,  imported  in  June,  1823,  by  Messrs.  Cox  & 
Wayne.  Some  of  the  cows  thus  descended  passed 
into  the  possession  of  a  Mr.  Matthew  Bullock  of 
Albany  County,  and  their  progeny  acquired  local 
reputation  under  the  name  of  "Bullock  stock.'' 
They  were  described  as  "large,  robust  animals, 
good,  although  not  remarkably  fine  in  quality,  but 
of  true  Short-horn  type."  Comet,  or  Cornet,  was  a 
red-and-white  (spotted)  bull,  bred  by  Sir  H.  C. 
Ibbetson  of  Denton  Park,  Otley,  and  was  got  by 
Meteor  (432) — of  the  elder  Booth's  breeding — a  son 
of  Albion  (14)  out  of  a  cow  by  C.  Colling 's  Windsor 
(698).  Nelson  was  a  red-and-white  bull  by  Nelson 
(449),  a  roan  bred  by  Simpson  of  Bab  worth  and  got 
by  Colling 's  Ketton  (346),  he  by  the  $5,000  Comet, 
going  back  on  the  dam's  side  to  Charles  Colling 's 
herd. 

The  first  pedigreed  bulls. — According  to  Allen  the 
first  pedigreed  Short-horn  bulls  to  set  hoof  on  Amer- 


FIRST   IMPORTATIONS  TO   AMERICA  165 

ican  soil  were  Marquis  (408)  and  Moscow  (9413), 
imported  into  the  Genesee  Valley  of  New  York,  in 
1817,  by  Samuel  M.  Hopkins  of  Moscow.    Mr.  War- 
field  lists  this  importation  as  ' '  supposed. ' '    The  very 
cream  of  the  Charles  Colling  blood  is  represented  in 
the  breeding  of  Marquis    (from  Mr.  Jonas  AVhit- 
aker's),  as  he  had  for  dam  the  far-famed  Magdalena, 
by  Comet,  and  his  sire  was  Wellington   (679),  in- 
tensely bred  in  the  blood  of  Favorite  (252)  on  the 
Old  Cherry  foundation.     Moscow  (9413)   was  like- 
wise deep  in  the  richest  Short-horn  blood  of  his  time. 
He  was  a  roan  of  Sir  Henry  Vane  Tempest's  breed- 
ing, of  the  Princess  blood,  sired  by  Wynyard  (703) 
out  of  Elvira  by  Phenomenon   (491);  second  dam 
Princess  by  Favorite  (252).    Along  with  this  well- 
bred  pair  of  bulls  Allen  says  there  came  a  cow  called 
Princess   that   was   said   to   be   descended   from   a 
Robert   ancestry.     It  is   said   that   descendants  of 
these   cattle,   crossed   by   bulls   from   Col.   PowePs 
herd,  presently  to  be  mentioned,  were  purchased  by 
the  Holland  Land  Co.  for  the  benefit  of  the  settlers 
upon  that  corporation's  land  near  Batavia,  in  AYest- 
em  New  York,  and  were  carefully  bred  for  many 
years. 

The  "Seventeens."— The  first  direct  importation 
from  England  into  the  territory  west  of  the  Alle- 
ghenies  was  made  by  Col.  Lewis  Sanders  of  Ken- 
tucky, ''a  gentleman  of  character  and  position," 
who  was  at  this  time  actively  engaged  in  manufac- 
turing,   merchandising   and   farming.     He    resided 


166  A  HISTOKY   OF  SHOET-HORX   CATTLE 

latterly  in  Gallatin  County  not  far  from  where  the 
Kentucky  River  flows  into  the  Ohio,  a  short  distance 
below  Cincinnati.  The  following  statement  as  to  the 
cattle  purchased  on  his  order  in  1817  is  in  Col.  San- 
ders' own  language: 

"I  was  induced  to  send  the  order  for  the  cattle  (in  the  fall 
of  1816)  by  seeing  an  account  of  Charles  Colling's  great  sale  in 
1810.  At  this  sale  enormous  prices  were  paid — 1,000  guineas  for 
the  bull  Comet.  This  induced  me  to  think  there  was  a  value 
unknown  to  us  in  these  cattle,  and  as  I  then  had  the  control  of 
means  determined  to  procure  some  of  this  breed.  For  somte 
years  previous  I  was  in  the  regular  receipt  of  English  publica- 
tions on  agricultural  improvements  and  improvements  in  the 
various  descriptions  of  stock.  From  the  reported  surveys  of 
counties  I  was  pretty  well  posted  as  to  the  localities  of  the  most 
esteemed  breeds  of  cattle.  My  mind  was  made  up,  fixing  on  the 
Short-horns  as  most  suitable  for  us.  I  had  frequent  conversa- 
tions on  this  matter  with  my  friend  and  neighbor  Capt.  William 
Smith,  then  an  eminent  breeder  of  cattle.  He  was  thoroughly 
impressed  in  favor  of  the  old  Long-horn  breed.  To  gratify  him 
and  to  please  some  old  South  Branch  feeders  I  ordered  a  pair 
of  Long-horns,  and  was  more  willing  to  do  so  from  the  fact 
that  this  was  the  breed  selected  by  the  distinguished  Mr.  Bake- 
well  for  his  experimental,  yet  most  successful  improvements.  I 
forwarded  to  the  house  of  Buchanan,  Smith  &  Co.  of  Liverpool 
$1,500  to  make  the  purchase,  expecting  to  get  three  pair  only, 
with  instructions  to  procure  a  competent  judge  and  suitable 
agent  to  go  into  the  cattle  district  and  make  the  selection,  the 
animals  not  to  be  over  two  years  old,  and  no  restriction  as  to 
price.  At  the  time  the  Holderness  breed  was  in  highest  repute 
for  milkers.  I  directed  that  the  agent  should  be  sent  to  York- 
shire to  procure  a  pair  of  that  breed,  then  to  the  River  Tees,  in 
Durham  County,  for  a  pair  of  Short-horn  Durhams.  then  to  the 
County  of  Westmoreland  for  a  pair  of  the  Long-horns,  etc. 

"The  agent  sent  from  Liverpool,  J.  C.  Etches,  a  celebrated 
butcher  of  that  place,  went  as  directed  and  purchased  six  pair 
instead  of  three.     It  being  soon  after  the  war  all  kinds  of  prod- 


FIRST   IMPORTATIOXS  TO   AMERICA  167 

uce  had  much  cheapened  and  the  stock  sold  lower  than  was  ex- 
pected. 

"After  the  cattle  were  shipped  from  Liverpool  on  the  vessel 
Mohawk,  bound  to  Baltimore,  Md.,  where  the  cattle  afterward 
landed,  I  sold  one-third  interest  in  them  to  Capt.  William  Smith 
and  another  third  to  Dr.  Tegarden  of  Kentucky." 

Of  tlie  twelve  animals  bought,  eight  (four  bulls 
and  four  heifers)  were  Short-horns  and  four  (two 
bulls  and  two  heifers)  were  Long-horns.  The  im- 
portation was  made  five  years  prior  to  the  publica- 
tion of  Vol.  I  of  the  English  Herd  Book,  at  a  time 
when  comparatively  few  of  the  old-country  breeders 
gave  that  strict  attention  to  their  private  records 
that  afterward  became  imperative.  The  only  infor- 
mation furnished  in  the  invoice  as  to  the  Short- 
horns is  indicated  below: 

"  'No.  1.  Bull  from  Mr.  Clement  Winston,  on  the  River  Tees, 
got  by  Mr.  Constable's  bull,  brother  to  Comet,'  afterward  (155) 
E.  H.  B.  The  name  of  this  bull  was  San  Martin,  afterward 
(2599)   in  E.  H.  B. 

'"No.  2.  Bull,  Holderness  breed,  from  Mr.  Scott,  out  of  a 
cow  which  gave  thirty-four  quarts  of  milk  per  day.'  The  name 
of  this  bull  was  Tecumseh,  afterward   (5409)   E.  H.  B. 

"'No.  3.  Bull  from  Mr.  Reed,  Westholme,  of  his  own  old 
breed.'  This  bull  is  probably  the  one  called  Comet,  afterward 
1382  A.  H.  B.  Said  to  have  been  got  by  either  Comet  (155)  or 
his  brother  North  Star   (458)   E.  H.  B. 

"  'No.  4.  Bull,  Holderness  breed,  from  Mr.  Humphreys,  got 
by  Mr.  Mason's  bull  of  Islington.'  No  herd-book  record  appears 
to  have  since  been  made  of  this  bull,  and  we  know  not  what  be- 
came of  him.  Mr.  Clay  states  that  one  of  the  bulls  'was  sold  to 
Capt.  Fowler,  who  afterward  sold  him  to  Gen.  Fletcher,  and  was 
taken  to  Bath  Co.,  Ky.,  where  he  died.' 

"Of  the  females  the  invoice  states  that 

"  'No.  7  was  a  heifer  from  Mr.  Wilson,  Staindrop,  Dunham 
breed.' 


168  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HOEX    CATTLE 

"  'Nos.  8,  9,  10  were  heifers  from  Mr.  Shipman,  on  the  River 
Tees,  of  his  own  breed." 

"  'In  the  division  of  the  Short-horns  above  named  Col  San- 
ders became  owner  of  the  bulls  San  Martin  and  Tecumseh.'  Col. 
Sanders  states  that  Comet  became  the  property  of  Dr.  Tegarden. 

"  'Of  the  Shipman  heifers  No.  7  became  the  property  of  Capt. 
Smith  and  was  called  the  "Durham  Cow." ' 

"  'Of  the  three  remaining  two  were  retained  by  Col.  Sanders, 
one  of  which  was  called  "Mrs.  Motte"  and  the  other  named  the 
"Teeswater   Cow." ' 

"The  fourth  heifer  died  in  Maryland,  never  having  reached 
Kentucky." 

The  descendants  of  the  three  heifers  Mrs.  Motte, 

the  Durham  Cow  and  the  Teeswater  Cow  are  to  this 

day  known  as  "The  Seventeens, ' '  so  called  from 

the  date  of  the  original  importation.     Mrs.  Motte* 

produced  the  four  red  heifers  Lady  Munday,  Miss 

Motte  and  Sylvia  to  San  Martin,  and  Lady  Alice 

by  Tecumseh,  besides  five  bulls.    The  Durham  Cow 

was    also    prolific,    dropping    eleven    calves — five 

heifers  and  six  bulls — her  last  four  being  sired  by 

her  own  son  Napoleon  1899,  by  San  Martin.     The 

Teeswater  Cow  gave  birth  to  four  heifers  and  two 

bulls.     The  leading  Kentucky  and  Ohio  farmers  of 

that  period  availed  themselves  largely  of  this  oppor- 


*In  view  of  the  large  number  of  descendants  of  Mrs.  Motte  through- 
out the  countrv  the  following  excerpt  from  a  letter  written  to  the  author 
by  Mr.  William  Warfield  under  date  of  Feb.  21,  1899,  may  be  of  inter- 
est: "Upon  the  occasion  of  Col.  Sanders'  last  visit  to  my  father  in  the 
fifties  I  heard  him  state  the  facts  as  to  the  naming  of  Mrs.  Motte.  At 
Charleston,  S.  C.  during  the  Revolutionary  War,  lived  Maj.  Motte  of 
the  United  States  army  and  his  family.  Mrs.  Motte  being  a  very  great 
patriot  was  much  concerned  in  the  destruction  of  a  certain  fort  which 
interfered  verv  much  with  the  reduction  of  the  city.  She  learned  that 
the  destruction  of  a  very  fine  residence  which  was  her  own  property — 
and  which  was  already  in  the  possession  of  the  enemy — would  remove 
the  difflcultv  of  reducing  this  fort.  She  presented  the  besiegers  with  a 
quiver  of  African  arrows  to  be  used  for  that  pui-pose.  Skewers  armed 
with  combustible  materials  were  also  used  with  more  effect."  In  com- 
memoration of  this  patriotic  sacrifice  Col.  Sanders  gave  the  name  of 
Mrs.  Motte  to  his  imported  cow. 


FIRST   IMPORTATIONS  TO   AMERICA  169 

tunity  for  improving  their  herds,  among  those  who 
purchased  progeny  from  the  three  Sanders  cows 
being  Gen.  Garrard,  Dr.  S.  D.  Martin,  Maj.  Gano, 
Dr.  Warfield,  Judge  Haggin,  Walter  Dun,  T.  P. 
Dudley  and  the  Ohio  Shakers.  Mrs.  Motte's  daugh- 
ters Lady  Kate,  Lady  Munday  and  Sylvia  inherited 
the  fecundity  of  their  dam,  producing  in  the  aggre- 
gate thirty  calves,  more  than  one-half  of  them 
through  Lady  Munday  and  Sylvia,  the  property  of 
Gen.  Garrard.  The  Durham  Cow's  daughter  Lady 
Durham  left  ^ve  heifers  and  three  bulls,  two  of  the 
former  going  into  the  hands  of  Benjamin  Warfield. 
It  thus  appears  that  the  importation  of  1817  became 
an  important  element  in  the  breeding  operations  of 
those  enterprising  men  who  laid  the  foundation  for 
the  subsequent  popularity  of  the  breed  in  the  States 
bordering  upon  the  Ohio  Eiver;  and  the  cattle  de- 
rived from  that  source  were  for  a  long  series  of 
years  among  the  very  best  Short-horns  known  in 
the  United  States. 

Notwithstanding  the  marked  excellence  of  the 
so-called  "Seventeens"  there  sprang  up,  after  the 
era  of  herd  books  and  ''fashion''  in  blood  lines 
asserted  powerful  influence  upon  the  breed,  a  preju- 
dice against  them  which  practical  men  were  unfor- 
tunately unable  to  wholly  overcome.  Parties  who 
were  breeding  from  cattle  drawn  from  the  latter  and 
fully-pedigreed  importations  began  casting  asper- 
sions upon  the  ''purity"  of  the  blood  of  the  Sanders 
stock  because  the  foundation  dams  had  no  extended 


170  A   HISTORY    OF   SHOET-HORX    CATTLE 

pedigrees.  In  regard  to  this  much  nonsense  has 
been  written.  For  instance,  the  "cock-and-bull" 
story  of  the  late  Ambrose  Stevens,  as  published  in 
Vol.  II  of  the  American  Short-horn  Herd  Book  and 
repeated  in  Allen's  "History  of  the  Short-horns" 
(page  166),  fitting  Mrs.  Motte  out  with  a  long  pedi- 
gree running  back  to  Lady  Maynard,  alleged  to  have 
been  supplied  by  Thos.  Bates.  This  had  no  basis 
whatever  in  fact.  The  simple  truth  is  that  the  cattle 
bought  by  the  butcher,  Mr.  Etches,  w^ere  doubtless 
good  ones  individually,  although  not  bred  by  men 
who  had  preserved  records  of  their  breeding  or 
acquired  reputations.  The  animals  clearly  belonged 
to  the  same  class  of  market  stock  from  whence 
Thomas  Booth  drew  the  ancestral  dams  of  a  number 
of  those  families  that  afterward  acquired  inter- 
national fame  at  Killerby  and  Warlaby,  as  detailed 
in  preceding  chapters.  In  the  hands  of  such  men  as 
Garrard,  Clay,  Warfield,  Bedford,  the  Renicks, 
Trimble,  Harrold  and  other  breeders  of  sound  judg- 
ment a  class  of  cattle  sprang  from  this  foundation 
that  would  have  compared  favorably  with  the  best 
results  attained  by  their  English  contemporaries,  the 
Messrs.  Booth  and  others,  whose  cattle — similarly 
descended  —  became  "fashionable."  In  vain  was 
this  fact  pointed  out  by  thoughtful  and  disinterested 
men.  Vain  were  all  the  winnings  of  the  descendants 
of  the  importation  of  1817  at  the  great  shows  of  the 
West.  The  fiat  of  fashion  went  out  against  them  in 
the  later  years,  and  whole  herds  of  valuable  cattle 


FIRST   IMPOETATIOXS  TO   AMERICA.  171 

carrying  but  a  mere  drop  of  the  original  "Seven- 
teen" blood  were  practically  lost  to  the  breed  be- 
cause of  the  unreasoning  prejudice  created  against 
them.* 

The  imported  Long-horns  were  sold  by  Col.  San- 
ders to  Capt.  Smith  and  Dr.  Tegarden,  in  whose 
hands  they  did  not  prove  popular.  Some  experi- 
mental crosses  between  cattle  carrying  Short-horn 
blood  and  the  Long-horns  were  made  in  Kentucky, 
Virginia  and  Ohio,t  but  the  judgment  of  the  best 
breeders  of  the  day  was  not  favorable  and  the  Long- 
horns  presently  disappeared. 

In  1818  Mr.  James  Prentice  of  Lexington,  Ky., 
imported  the  two  bulls  Prince  Eegent  877  and  John 
Bull  5981/2,  both  certified  to  be  of  pure  Short-horn 


*The  late  Judge  T.  C.  Jones  of  Delaware,  C,  one  of  the  closest  stu- 
dents of  American  Short-horn  breeding,  once  said :  "We  have  a  great 
many  Short-horns  of  high,  and  even  fashionable  rank,  the  origin  of 
whose  lineage  is  quite  as  obscure  as  that  of  the  Short-horns  of  Col.  San- 
ders— at  a  period  much  less  remote  than  the  date  of  that  Importation. 
*  *  *  A  large  class  of  valuable  cattle,  with  well-established  char- 
acteristics, has  been  sacrificed.  Following  the  whims  and  fancies  of 
speculators  in  pedigrees,  in  some  instances,  thick-fleshed  and  quick- 
feeding  cattle  of  this  and  other  unfashionable  strains  of  blood  have 
been  discarded  to  make  way  for  light-fleshed  and  unthrifty  animals  of 
the  fancy  sorts." 

tGeorge  Renick  of  Ohio  was  among  those  who  tried  the  cross  and 
discarded  the  Long-horn  blood.  Writing  upon  this  subject  Mr.  Brutus 
J.  Clay  of  Bourbon  Co.,  Ky.,  said:  "We  recollect  in  1821,  when  just 
verging  into  manhood,  taking  a  horseback  journey  from  Columbus  to 
Circleville,  C,  in  the  vicinity  of  which  latter  town  the  Renick  brothers 
owned  large  landed  estates.  We  saw  a  herd  of  a  dozen  or  more  long- 
horned  cattle  grazing  in  a  field  by  the  side  of  the  road.  Their  singular 
appearance,  grazing  on  the  rich  blue  grass  or  lying  under  the  shade  of 
the  majestic  trees,  attracted  our  attention.  We  rode  up  to  the  fence, 
hitched  our  horse  and  went  into  the  field  to  view  them.  They  had  every 
appearance  of  being  either  pure-bred  or  high  grades  of  the  Long-horn 
breed,  with  long,  drooping  horns  pushing  forward  beyond  their  noses  or 
fS,lling  below  their  jaws,  light  brindle  in  color,  with  white  stripes  along 
their  backs,  as  we  now  see  their  portraits  in  the  books.  They  were 
long-bodied,  a  little  swayed  in  the  back,  not  very  compact  in  shape,  but 
withal  imposing  animals  to  the  eye.  We  made  no  inquiries  about  them 
at  the  time,  as  we  knew  little  of  breeds  of  cattle.  Thirty  years  after- 
ward, being  again  at  Circleville,  and  having  a  better  knowledge  of 
breeds,  on  inquiry  for  cattle  of  that  character  we  could  find  no  trace  nor 
even  a  recollection  of  them  among  the  older  farmers  of  the  vicinity." 


172  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

blood  but  not  supplied  with  pedigrees.  John  Bull 
was  described  as  a  deep  red,  of  fine  size  and  good 
form,  with  small  down-curving  horns.  Prince  Re- 
gent was  "pied,"  white  with  some  red  spots.  As 
indicating  the  enterprise  of  the  Kentucky  breeders 
of  that  day  in  the  work  of  improving  their  cattle,  it 
may  be  stated  that  these  bulls  were  purchased  by 
Nathaniel  Hart  of  Woodford  County  and  John  Hart 
of  Fayette  County  for  $1,500,  and  they  are  said  to 
have  left  good  stock.  It  thus  appears  that  the 
foundation  of  the  Short-horn  breeding  interest  in 
Kentucky  and  Ohio  was  laid  mainly  in  the  Gough 
&  Miller  (Patton)  and  the  Sanders  bloods,  which 
w^ere  more  or  less  intenningled  for  a  long  series  of 
years. 

Massachusetts  importations. — In  November,  1817, 
Samuel  AVilliams  of  Massachusetts,  a  merchant,  at 
that  time  residing  in  London,  purchased  of  Mr. 
Wetherell  and  sent  out  to  his  brother  Stephen  Wil- 
liams of  Northboro,  Mass.,  the  bull  Young  Denton 
(963).  He  was  a  roan,  sixteen  months  old  at  the 
time  of  importation,  and  was  used  in  Massachusetts 
for  about  ten  years,  after  which  he  was  taken  to  the 
State  of  Maine,  where  he  died  in  1830.  He  was  con- 
sidered a  very  choice  specimen  of  the  breed.  In 
1818  Mr.  Cornelius  Coolidge  of  Boston  imported  the 
bull  Coelebs  349  and  the  cow  Flora,  both  bred  by 
Mason  of  Chilton  and  both  sired  by  the  sons  of 
Comet  (155).  Mr.  Williams  sent  out  in  1822  the 
roan  yearling  heifer  Arabella,  by  North  Star  (460) 


FIRST   IMPORTATION'S  TO  AMERICA  173 

out  of  Aurora  by  Comet  (155),  which  was  also  of 
Mr.  Wethereirs  breeding.  Her  descendants,  like 
nearly  all  other  Short-horns  tracing  to  the  earlier 
importations  into  New  York  and  New  England,  were 
distinguished  for  their  excellent  dairy  qualities. 
The  Arabellas  were  at  one  time  a  large  and  valuable 
family.  During  the  same  year  several  other  cows 
were  imported  into  Massachusetts  by  Messrs.  Lee, 
Orr,  Monson,  and  perhaps  others,  most  of  them  being 
purchased  from  the  Wetherell  herd.  Among  these 
were  Tuberose,  by  North  Star  (460),  and  Harriet,  by 
Denton  (198),  a  son  of  Comet.  The  latter  was  de- 
scribed as  a  very  fine  cow,  nearly  white  in  color. 
In  1823  and  1824  Admiral  Sir  Isaac  Coffin  of  the 
British  Navy,  who  was  born  in  the  State  of  Massa- 
chusetts, sent  out  to  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural 
Society  the  roan  bull  Admiral  (1608)  and  the  red- 
and-white  cow  Annabella,  by  Major  (398),  also  from 
the  Wetherell  herd.  A  numerous  progeny  claim  de- 
scent from  these  animals.  In  another  shipment  he 
sent  the  white  cow  Blanche,  by  a  son  of  Comet; 
Snowdrop,  by  Fitz  Favorite  (1042),  and  the  heifer 
Emma,  by  Wellington  (683). 

Eeference  is  made  in  the  American  Herd  Book  to 
a  bull  called  Fortunatus,  or  Holdemess,  as  having 
been  bred  by  George  Faulkner  and  imported  by  Gor- 
ham  Parsons,  Brighton,  Mass.,  in  1818.  We  cannot 
identify  him. 

In  1828  Mr.  Francis  Eotch  of  New  York,  who  was 
then  in  England,  shipped  to  his  brother-in-law  Ben- 


174  A  HISTORY  OP  SHORT-HORN^   CATTLE 

jamin  Rodman,  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  the  bull  Devon- 
shire (966)  and  the  cows  Adeliza,  Dulcibella  and 
Galatea,  all  from  the  herd  of  Mr.  Whitaker,  all 
roans,  all  possessing  good  pedigrees,  and  all  sired 
by  the  famous  Frederick  (1060).  The  cows  gave 
rise  to  families  bearing  their  respective  names, 
which,  like  the  Pansies  and  Arabellas,  acquired  wide 
repute  for  their  excellence  at  the  pail.  Devonshire 
was  bought  by  Lewis  F.  Allen,  founder  of  the  Amer- 
ican Short-horn  Herd  Book,  in  1834  and  died  at 
eleven  years  of  age.  He  was  a  bull  of  good  scale 
and  fine  points.  Adeliza  and  Dulcibella  were  good 
cows,  prolific  breeders,  excellent  milkers,  and  lived 
to  be  aged  animals.*  In  1831-32  the  young  white 
cow  Roxanne,  by  Frederick,  and  her  white  heifer 
Mary  Whitaker  were  added  to  Mr.  Rodman's  hold- 
ings by  purchase  from  Jonas  Whitaker. 

In  1830  Mr.  Enoch  Silsby  of  Boston  imported  the 
cow  Agatha,  by  Sir  Charles  (1440),  and  the  year- 
ling bull  Boston  (1735),  both  roans  from  the  herd 
of  Mr.  Curry  of  Northumberland.  They  proved  ex- 
cellent breeders,  and  Agatha's  descendants  subse- 
quently became  widely  and  favorably  known. 

Early  New  York  importations. — Gen.  Stephen  Van 
Rensselaer  of  Albany,  N.  Y.,  brought  out  in  1823 

*  Speaking  of  the  purchase  of  these  Whitaker  cattle  Mr.  Rotch  said: 
"I  arrived  at  Otley  just  in  time  to  attend  an  exhibition  of  stock,  which 
was  then  the  great  and  leading  show  of  the  North  for  Short-horns.  My 
sudden  arrival  as  an  American  created  much  interest  and  kindly  feel- 
ing, which  showed  itself  in  the  strong  wish  that  I  should  not  go  away 
without  obtaining  the  animals  I  selected,  though  they  were  not  intended 
for  sale."  Mr.  Rotch  was  a  fine  type  of  that  intelligent  body  of  men 
seeking  in  the  early  days  the  improvement  of  American  live  stock.  He 
lived  to  a  green  old  age  at  his  country  home  in  Otsego  Co.,  New  York, 
and  retained  a  great  Interest  in  Short-horns  to  the  last. 


FIRST   IMPORTATIONS  TO   AMERICA  175 

from  the  herd  of  Mr.  Champion  the  bull  Washington 
(1566)*  and  the  cows  Conquest  and  Pansy  by  Blaize 
(76).  Conquest  failed  to  breed,  but  Pansy  had  sev- 
eral daughters  by  Washington  that,  gave  rise  to  a 
very  noted  family  of  dairy  Short-horns,  afterward 
popular  throughout  New  England  and  the  West. 

In  1821  Humphrey  Hollis,  an  Englishman  who 
emigrated  to  New  York,  brought  out  two  cows 
called  Hart  and  Nudd,  said  to  be  sired  by  Collings' 
Wellington.  Their  descendants  were  at  one  time  to 
be  found  in  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  herds.  In 
1823  George  M.  Tibbetts  of  Troy  brought  out  a  red 
bull  called  Young  Comet  2419.  In  1828  a  Mr.  Green 
of  New  York  imported  the  bull  Banquo  1226  and 
sent  him  to  the  State  of  Maine.  About  the  same 
date  Abijah  Hammond  of  Westchester  County 
brought  out  the  cow  Old  Willey,  unpedigreed,  sev- 
eral of  whose  descendants  are  recorded  in  the  first 
volume  of  the  American  Herd  Book. 

In  1822  and  succeeding  years  Mr.  Charles  Henry 
Hall,  a  New  York  merchant  who  had  previously 
lived  and  done  business  in  various  European  coun- 
tries, imported  a  number  of  Short-horns  selected 
from  good  English  herds,  among  them  the  cows 
Princess,  by  Lancaster  (360),  that  was  bred  in  1816, 
by  Robert  Colling;  Canada,  by  Sir  Peter  (606); 
Primrose,  by  George;  and  bulls  Regent  899,  Young 
Hector  and  Comet.    A  few  of  Mr.  HalPs  cattle  bred 


*  Lewis  F.  Allen  lends  his  name  to  the  statement  that  Washington 
lived  to  be  nineteen  years  old,  doing  service  in  his  eighteenth  year. 


176  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-IIORN^    CATTLE 

from  these  importations  were  kept  on  a  small  farm 
neai'  Harlem,  but  the  major  portion  were  taken  to 
Greenbush,  near  Albany,  where  they  were  kept  and 
bred  for  some  years.  It  seems  that  Mr.  Hall  was  not 
careful  to  preserve  accurately  the  breeding  records 
of  his  stock,  and  through  this  inattention  the  cor- 
rect lineage  of  many  of  his  cattle  was  lost.  Largely 
through  the  influence  of  these  purchases  several 
other  New  York  business  men  imported  Short-horns 
and  bred  them  on  Long  Island  and  in  Westchester 
County,  but  the  pedigrees  of  these  were  neglected. 

Col.  Powel's  purchases. — Between  the  years  1822 
and  1831  Col.  John  H.  Powel  of  Powelton,  near 
Philadelphia,  imported  about  twenty-four  head  of 
cows  and  heifers  and  seven  bulls,  a  majority  of 
which  were  of  Mr.  Whitaker's  breeding.  Included 
among  these  were  the  bulls  Bertram  (1716),  Bolivar 
(804),  Gloucester  (1074)  and  Memnon  (1223)— all 
by  Frederick  (1060) ;  and  the  cows  Belina  by  Barmp- 
ton  (54),  Desdemona  by  Frederick  (1060) ;  Cleopatra 
(of  Eichard  Booth's  breeding)  by  Pilot  (496),  Ruby 
by  Young  Dimple  (971)  and  Mandane  by  Richmond 
(1380) — all  of  which  founded  good  families  of  dual- 
purpose  cattle.  Belina  was  indeed  one  of  the  great 
dairy  cows  of  her  time,  having  a  well-authenticated 
butter  record  of  20l^  lbs.  per  week.  Cleopatra  was 
the  first  Booth-bred  cow  imported  to  America  and 
was  sold  by  Col.  Powel  to  David  Sutton  of  Ken- 
tucky in  1833.    She  w^as  called  ''a  grand  cow."* 


'See  Preface  A.  H.  B.,  Vol.  XIV. 


FIRST   IMPORTATIOXS   TO   AMERICA  177 

The  bull  Bertram  not  only  had  the  endorsement 
of  Thomas  Bates*  but  was  recognized  by  American 
breeders  as  one  of  the  best  Short-horn  bulls  that  had 
been  imported  up  to  that  period.  He  was  a  com- 
pactly-fashioned, short-legged  red  of  Colling 's  Old 
Daisy  sort,  possessing  a  fine  touch,  good  hair  and 
an  impressive  individuality.  Allen  says:  ''The 
cows  struck  us  as  being  of  excellent  quality,  with 
indications  of  giving  large  quantities  of  milk;  were 
good  in  form,  long  in  body,  straight  on  back,  broad 
in  the  hips,  with  fine  heads  and  horns,  excellent 
coats  of  hair  and  well-shaped  udders.'^ 

Ancestress  of  the  Louans. — In  1821  a  Mr.  Law  of 
Baltimore,  Md.,  imported  the  roan  cow  Rosemary 
(of  J.  C.  Curwen's  breeding),  by  Flash  (261),  and 
her  white  heifer  Virginia,  by  General  (272),  that 
afterrv^ard  passed  into  the  possession  of  Col.  Powel 
and  became  the  ancestress  of  the  family  so  noted  in 
Kentucky  and  other  Western  States  under  the  name 
of  Louans.  From  the  Cunven  herd  Mr.  Law  also 
bought  the  bull  Bishop  (73)  and  the  cow  Assurance. 

During  the  same  year  there  was  imported  into 
Maryland  the  roan  bull  Champion  (864),  the  white 
heifer  White  Eose,  by  Warrior  (673),  and  the  red- 
and- white  heifer  Shepherdess,  by  Magnet  (392) — all 


*"1  think  the  bull  Bertram  which  you  have  bought  of  Mr.  Whitaker 
of  Greenholme  is  the  best  bull  I  know  of  at  present  to  lay  the  founda- 
tion of  a  good  stock  of  Short-horns  in  any  country.  He  is  descended 
from  one  of  the  best-milking  and  quickest-grazing  tribes,  and  one  which 
yielded  meat  of  the  best  quality,  and,  as  I  found  by  experiments,  left 
the  most  for  the  food  consumed.  I  used  the  Daisy  bull,  brother  of  the 
great-grandam  of  Bertram,  above  thirty  years  ago.  *  *  *  i  con- 
sider Bertram  a  much  superior  bull  to  Comet,  which  bull  I  saw  sold  for 
1,000  guineas  at  public  sale,  and  afterward  £1,500  was  offered  for  him." 
— Thomas  Bates  to  Col.  Poicel,  1831. 


178  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOR>^    CATTLE 

of  Mr.  Champion's  breeding.  White  Rose  was  in 
calf  to  Blaize  (76) — sire  of  imp.  Pansy  previously 
mentioned — and  was  sold  to  Gov.  Lloyd  of  Mary- 
land. She  produced  to  this  English  service  the  bull 
Wye  Comet  (1591).  Shepherdess  and  Wye  Comet 
were  sold  to  Col.  Powel.  Mr.  Allen  credits  this 
importation  to  Col.  John  S.  Skinner,  and  Mr.  War- 
field  to  a  Mr.  Oliver. 

Walter  Dun's  importations.— In  1833  Mr.  Walter 
Dun,  a  Scotchman  living  near  Lexington,  Ky.,  sent 
an  order  to  a  friend,  one  William  Douglas,  residing 
in  the  South  of  Scotland,  to  go  into  Yorkshire  and 
buy  several  head  of  Short-horns  to  be  shipped  out 
to  America.  Ample  funds  were  supplied,  and  the 
animals  were  to  be  chosen  with  reference  to  quality 
rather  than  to  price  or  pedigree.  Six  head  were 
bought  and  shipped  from  Liverpool,  Sept.  5,  1833, 
arriving  safely  in  Kentucky  on  Nov.  26  following. 
This  shipment  proved  of  much  value  in  capable 
hands  on  both  sides  of  the  Ohio  Eiver,  some  of  the 
best  cattle  of  succeeding  years  tracing  descent  to  it. 
The  imported  cows  were  Caroline  (red),  by  Dash- 
wood;  Red  Rose  (red-and- white),  by  Emesty;  White 
Rose  (white),  by  Publicola;  Multiflora  (roan),  by 
Walter;  Daisy  (red-and-white),  by  Wild,  and  Pre- 
mium (roan),  by  Maximus,  which  were  accompanied 
by  the  two-year-old  bull  Symmetry  (5382).  Some 
of  the  bulls  appearing  in  certain  of  these  pedigrees 
were  not  at  that  time  recorded  in  England,  on  ac- 
count of  which  efforts  to  discredit  their  descendants 


FIRST   IMPOETATIOXS   TO   AMERICA  179 

were  subsequently  made;  and,  as  in  the  case  of  the 
* '  Seventeens, "  Pattons  and  Cox  cattle,  such  efforts 
were  attended  with  more  or  less  success. 

In  1836,  in  connection  with  Mr.  Samuel  Smith, 
Mr.  Dun  sent  another  order  to  Mr.  Douglas,  which 
was  filled  by  the  shipment  of  the  roan  bull  Comet 
(1854),  the  red-and-white  George  (2059),  and  the 
cows  Mary  Ann  (roan),  by  Middlesboro;  Adelaide 
(roan),  by  Magnum  Bonum  (2243),  and  Jewess. 
The  latter  proved  barren.  Adelaide  was  in  calf  to 
Brutus  (1752),  and  gave  birth  to  the  heifer  Beauty 
of  Wharfdale.  Mary  Ann  had  been  served  in  Eng- 
land by  Norfolk,  and  gave  birth  to  the  roan  bull 
calf  Otley  (4632).  To  these  cows  the  American 
Adelaide  and  Mary  Ann  families  trace.  In  1838  Mr. 
Dun  imported  two  bulls  from  Premium,  by  Maximus, 
and  Young  Charlotte,  by  Thorp,  recorded  as  Otho 
794  and  Tarik  1022. 

Meantime  the  Ohio  Co.  had  begun  its  memorable 
importations,  and  the  desire  for  good  Short-horns 
among  the  better  class  of  farmers  was  universal. 
Messrs.  Dun  and  Smith  both  died  shortly  after  these 
latter  importations,  and  at  an  auction  sale  held  by 
their  executors  Sept.  11,  1838,  the  prices  made  re- 
vealed the  fact  that  the  breeders  of  that  period  were 
both  prosperous  and  enterprising.  Imp.  Adelaide 
brought  $1,375  from  Messrs.  Dillard  &  Ferguson, 
and  her  daughter  $755  from  F.  S.  Read.  The  cow 
Adeline  brought  $1,030,  and  her  daughter  $440.  Imp. 
Mary  Ann  and  her  Norfolk  bull  calf,  then  but  ten 


180  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

days  old,  fetched  $2,100  from  Messrs.  R.  G.  Jackson 
and  B.  P.  Gray,  and  Allen  states  that  Messrs.  Wes- 
son and  Shropshire  afterward  gave  that  amount  for 
Otley  alone.  At  this  same  sale  R.  T.  Dillard  and  C. 
R.  Ferguson  gave  $1,235  for  the  cow  Ellen,  C.  C. 
Morgan  $1,230  for  the  cow  Cleopatra  and  W.  S. 
Hume  $1,000  for  the  bull  calf  Oliver  Keen— all  the 
property  of  Mr.  Smith's  estate.  The  bull  Comet  had 
meantime  become  the  individual  property  of  Mr. 
John  G.  Dun,  and  for  him  the  great  price  of  $3,000 
was  offered  by  Mr.  Gray,  one  of  the  buyers  of  imp. 
Mary  Ann.  He  was  bred  by  Mr.  Crofton  from  a 
Mason  foundation.  Otley  was  supposed  to  have 
been  bred  by  Mr.  Fawkes. 


CHAPTER  VIII 
DEVELOPMENT  OF  OHIO  VALLEY  HERDS 

In  a  general  way  it  may  be  said  that  during  the 
first  period  following  the  early  introduction  of 
Short-horn  blood  into  America  the  type  developed 
greatest  favor  among  the  holders  of  the  rich  lands 
of  Central  Kentucky  and  Southern  Central  Ohio. 
In  New  England  and  New  York  it  had  been  chiefly 
in  the  hands  of  gentlemen  of  wealth  and  leisure,  and 
the  farmers  of  that  section,  who  kept  cattle  mainly 
for  the  dairy  and  the  yoke,  were  rather  inclined  to 
regard  the  breed  as  a  mere  ^' fancy"  type,  not 
specially  adapted  to  their  comparatively  thin  soils 
and  rigorous  climate.  Still  the  merit  of  Short-horn 
cows  as  dairy  cattle  was  recognized,  and  the  blood 
was  freely  used  by  those  who  saw,  particularly  in 
the  Wetherell  and  Whitaker  stock,  a  valuable  ' '  gen- 
eral-purpose "  type. 

In  Ohio  and  Kentucky  the  Short-horns  found  a 
most  congenial  home,  and  quickly  acquired  favor 
among  practical  men  in  close  touch  with  the  Balti- 
more and  Philadelphia  markets — men  who  had 
found  in  the  Gough  &  Miller  and  Sanders  cattle  a 
class  of  stock  that  made  wonderful  response  to  good 
keep.  Theirs  was  a  veritable  land  of  plenty — a 
country  teeming  with  corn  and  blue  grass.     York 

181 


182  A   HISTOEY   OF   SHOKT-HORNT    CATTLE 

and  Durham  were  fairly  distanced  in  comparison, 
so  far  as  unlimited  feed  supplies  were  concerned. 
Hundreds  of  prime  Short-liorn  bullocks  were 
matured  and  driven  across  the  mountains  to  the 
seaboard  markets.  It  was  in  the  course  of  this  trade 
that  the  Ohio  Valley  drovers  and  graziers,  living- 
remote  from  the  great  centers  of  population,  learned 
of  the  establishment  of  the  Powel  herd,  and  in  spite 
of  the  distance  and  obstacles  to  be  overcome  they 
invested  in  fresh  blood  from  that  source  and  intro- 
duced it  upon  their  ''Pattons"  and  ^'Seventeens.'' 
When  we  consider  the  length  of  the  journey  from 
Cincinnati  to  Philadelphia  before  the  days  of  rail- 
roads one  can  but  admire  the  pluck  and  enterprise 
displayed  by-  the  sturdy  pioneers  engaged  in  this 
trans-Allegheny  cattle  traffic.  Those  who  had  been 
fortunate  enough  in  the  first  rush  of  the  tide  of 
emigration  to  secure  large  holdings  in  Kentucky 
and  Ohio  found  that  Short-horn  blood  enabled  them 
to  reap  a  rich  harvest  from  their  grain  and  pasture 
lands.  Never  has  there  been  a  more  complete  dem- 
onstration of  the  value  of  good  blood  in  farming 
operations  than  was  afforded  by  the  history  of  the 
introduction  of  the  Short-horn  into  the  Ohio  Valley 
States.  To  them  the  hoof  of  the  ^^red,  white  and 
roan''  was  indeed  golden,  and  to  this  day  no  other 
type  of  cattle  has  found  equal  favor  among  those 
enjoying  the  fruits  of  the  Short-horn's  peaceful  in- 
vasion of  the  ancestral  acres. 
Feeding  for  seaboard  markets,— Virginians  from 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    OHIO    VALLEY    HERDS  183 

the  valley  of  the  South  Branch  of  the  Potomac  were 
the  most  influential  of  the  i^ioneers  who  settled  in 
Southern  Central  Ohio  and  Kentucky  early  in  the 
nineteenth  century.  They  had  been  accustomed  to 
breeding  cattle  for  grazing  and  feeding  purposes 
and  originated  the  system  of  fattening  steers  in 
large  numbers  by  feeding  ' '  shock ' '  corn  in  the  open 
fields  during  the  winter  months.  Among  the  earliest 
of  these  emigrants  were  the  brothers  George  and 
Felix  Eenick,  from  Hardy  Co.,  Va.,  who  found  their 
way  over  the  mountains  on  horseback,  with  the  aid 
of  a  compass,*  and  selected  large  tracts  of  land  in 
the  valley  of  the  Scioto  River,  near  the  present  site 
of  Chillicothe,  0.  Other  members  of  the  Eenick 
family  followed  them,  but  George  and  Felix  by  their 
enterprise  in  cattle-growing  gained  the  right  to 
recognition  as  the  most  distinguished  of  those  who 
laid  the  foundation  for  Short-horn  breeding  in  the 
State  of  their  adoption. 

George  Eenick  first  conceived  the  idea  of  driving 
fat  cattle  from  the  Scioto  to  Baltimore,  and  although 
his  Virginia  friends  scouted  the  plan  as  impracti- 
cable, he  nevertheless  put  it  to  the  test,  and  in  1805 
successfully  drove  sixty-eight  head  through  in  good 
condition  and  disposed  of  them  at  a  round  profit. 
The  problem  of  a  market  was  solved,  and  the  in- 
dustry developed  with  amazing  rapidity.  In  1817 
Felix  Eenick  drove  100  head  of  prime  fat  Short-  ■ 


•Hon.   T.   C.   Jones*  address  before  the  Iowa   Short-horn  Breeders' 
Association  in  1884. 


184  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

horn  steers  through  to  Philadelphia,  receiving  for 
them  in  that  market  $134  per  head !  In  1818  George 
Eenick  sent  a  drove  through  to  New  York — the  first 
Western  cattle  ever  seen  there — that  sold  for  $69 
per  head.*  These  cattle  were  descended  from  the 
Gough  &  Miller  stock,  the  roan  bull  Pluto  825  being 
one  of  the  sources  from  whence  that  blood  was 
derived.  Felix  Eenick  became  the  leading  feeder  of 
*'top''  cattle  in  his  State,  and  aside  from  the  Messrs. 
Goff  of  Kentucky,  was  probably  the  most  extensive 
breeder  and  feeder  of  well-bred  bullocks  in  the 
United  States  in  his  day.  George  Renick  also  fed 
largely  for  nearly  fifty  years. 

Other  successful  Ohio  breeders  and  feeders  of  the 
early  days  were  Gov.  Allen  Trimble,  John  I.  Van 
Meter,  James  Vanse,  John  Grouse,  William,  Jona- 
than and  Thomas  Renick,  Messrs.  Huston,  M.  L.  Sul- 
livant  and  R.  R.  Seymour.  The  latter  fed  from  100 
to  700  head  annually,  and  in  1841  drove  840  head 
through  to  Philadelphia. t  The  Shakers  of  Warren 
County  also  gave  their  attention  to  the  improvement 
of  their  cattle  by  the  use  of  the  Patton  and  ' '  Seven- 
teen" blood.  Cattle-feeding  was  thoroughly  estab- 
lished as  a  profitable  industry  by  the  time  the  Walter 
Dun  importations  were  made,  and  the  rivalry  that 


♦Related  by  the  late  William  Renick  of  Circleville,  O. 

tMr.  Seymour  removed  from  Virginia  to  Ohio  in  1830.  He  says  that 
when  he  left  Virginia  all  the  principal  cattlemen  in  the  South  Branch 
Valley  had  stock  of  English  blood,  either  of  the  Gough  &  Miller  im- 
portations or  the  Long-horns,  and  in  some  instances  they  had  a  mix- 
ture of  those  breeds  ;  as  was  also  the  case  to  some  extent  in  Kentucky 
and  Ohio.  This  accounts  for  the  fact  that  about  fifty  years  ago^  it  was 
not  uncommon  to  hear  people  speak  of  "Long-horn  Durhams."  This 
mixture,  however,  proved  very  generally  unpopular. 


DEVELOPMEXT    OF    OHIO    VALLEY    HERDS  185 

developed  between  the  breeders  and  feeders  on 
either  side  of  the  Ohio  Eiver  was  like  unto  that 
which  existed  in  Britain  ^'twixt  North  o'  Tweed  and 
South  o'  Tweed.''  The  owners  of  the  Dun  cattle 
were  loud  in  their  claims  as  to  the  superiority  of 
their  stock  over  the  other  Short-horns  of  that  period. 
The  bull  Comet  was  their  trump  card  and  was  hav- 
ing* quite  his  own  way  at  the  cattle  shows.*  Ken- 
tucky was  for  the  time  being  ''on  top."  Men  of 
similar  blood  and  with  equal  pride  in  their  herds 
dwelt  across  the  river,  however,  and  they  did  not 
propose  to  permit  their  friends,  relatives  and  com- 
petitors in  Fayette,  Bourbon,  Clark  and  adjacent 
(Kentucky)  counties  to  hold  the  whip  hand.  They 
had  the  land,  the  feed,  the  brains  and  the  capital  to 
defend  their  own  position  in  the  cattle  trade,  and 
they  were  men  of  action.  They  had  indeed  already 
taken  steps  to  protect  and  promote  their  own  in- 
terests by  the  formation  of  the  memorable 

Ohio  Importing  Company.— Felix  Eenick,  a  man 
desen^ing  high  rank  in  American  Short-horn  history 
as  one  of  the  most  intelligent  of  all  those  who  helped 
to  place  the  ''infant  industry"  squarely  upon  its 
feet,  was  the  prime  mover  in  a  proposition  looking 
to  the  formation  of  a  joint  stock  company  to  be 
made  up  of  the  leading  contemporary  cattle-growers 
of  the  Scioto  Valley  and  contiguous  Ohio  territory 
for  the  purchase  of  English  cattle.  Nov.  2,  1833,  ex- 
Governors  Allen  Trimble  and  Duncan   McArthur, 

•William  Warfield.  in  Breeder's  Gazette,  Aug.  5,  1886. 


186  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

with  the  Messrs.  Eenick  and  others,  foimed  a  com- 
pany ''for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the  interests 
of  agriculture  and  of  introducing  an  improved  breed 
of  cattle,"  and  they,  together  with  the  subscribers 
mentioned  below,  contributed  the  amount  of  money 
necessary  ' '  to  import  from  England  some  of  the  best 
improved  cattle  of  that  country." 

There  were  in  all  about  fifty  shareholders,  but  two 
of  whom  resided  out  of  the  State.  These  were  Isaac 
Cunningham  of  Kentucky  and  W.  H.  Cunningham 
of  Virginia.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  other 
subscribers  from  the  several  counties  represented 
in  this  association:  Eoss — Ex-Gov.  Duncan  McAr- 
thur,  Felix  Eenick,  George  Eenick,  James  Vanse,  E. 
E.  Seymour,  E.  J.  Harness,  Arthur  Watts,  S.  Mc- 
Neil, John  McNeil,  Wesley  Claypool,  John  T.  Webb, 
Eobert  Stewart,  Archibald  Stewart,  Jas.  G.  White, 
John  Pancake,  John  Foster,  John  Crouse,  Presley 
Morris,  John  L.  Taylor,  B.  J.  Davis  and  Charles 
Davis.  The  subscribers  in  Pickaway  County  were: 
William  Eenick,  S.  S.  Denney,  Thomas  Huston,  Elias 
Florence,  Josiah  Eenick,  Harness  Eenick,  Thomas 
Eenick,  William  Eenick,  Jr.,  Jonathan  Eenick,  Elias 
Pratt,  John  Boggs,  Sr.,  J.  M.  Alkire,  Francis  Camp- 
bell, Evan  Stevenson,  Ashel  Eenick  and  George  Ead- 
cliff .  From  Franklin  County  were :  M.  L.  Sullivant, 
Lyne  Sterling  and  E.  W.  Gwynne.  Fayette — Bat- 
teal  Harrison,  A.  Hagler  and  M.  Patterson.  High- 
land—Ex-Gov.  Allen  Trimble  and  H.  P.  Gallaway. 
Pike — John  I.  Vanmeter. 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    OHIO    VALLEY    HERDS  187 

The  stockholders  appointed  Felix  Reniek  as  their 
agent  to  proceed  to  England  and  select  the  cattle. 
That  his  experience  was  such  as  to  qualify  him  ad- 
mirably for  the  work  must  appear  from  what  has 
already  been  stated  concerning  his  commanding 
position  in  reference  to  bullock-breeding.  Edwin  J. 
Harness  and  Josiah  Renick  w^ere  designated  to  act 
as  assistants.  They  were  not  limited  to  the  purchase 
of  Short-horns,  the  idea  being  to  entrust  the  trio 
with  plenary  powers.  Members  of  the  company 
were  willing  to  experiment  with  other  breeds  if  they 
thought  advisable,  and  in  a  letter  written  by  Henry 
Clay  to  Gov.  Trimble,  dated  Washington,  D.  C,  Dec. 
13,  1833,  the  great  Kentuckian  advised  the  purchase 
of  typical  specimens  of  the  "Durham,"  Hereford 
and  Devon  breeds.  He  thought  the  Devons  might 
do  well,  as  being  specially  adapted  for  contending 
with  the  hardships  of  the  long  journey  from  the 
West  to  the  Eastern  markets.  That  Mr.  Renick  was 
not  averse  to  studying  this  proposition  is  shown  by 
the  fact  that  while  at  Baltimore  en  route  to  England 
he  and  his  colleagues  visited  a  herd  of  Devons  be- 
longing to  Mr.  Patterson  of  that  city  and  they  were 
well  pleased  with  the  "rubies."  Proceeding  to 
Philadelphia  they  called  upon  Col.  Powel,  examined 
his  Short-horn  herd,  and  received  many  useful  hints 
from  him  in  reference  to  the  purchasing  and  ship- 
ping of  stock  across  the  Atlantic.  It  is  of  interest 
in  this  connection  as  showing  the  changes  in  popular 
taste  in  respect  to  color  that  Felix  Renick  spoke  of 


188  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORX    CATTLE 

the  Powel  cattle  as  "white,  red-and-white  pied  and 
the  fashionable  roan. ' '  They  had  set  out  from  Ohio 
upon  their  long  journey  on  Jan.  29,  1834,  and  it  is 
needless  to  say  that  they  arrived  in  England  free 
from  prejudice  not  only  as  between  the  different 
breeds  but  also  as  between  the  rival  breeders  of 
Short-horns,  concerning  whom  they  had  doubtless 
heard  something  from  Col.  Powel  before  embarking 
for  the  other  side. 

Felix  Renick  and  confreres  in  England. — The  Ohio 
Co.'s  agents  landed  at  Liverpool  March  24,  1834, 
and  immediately  addressed  themselves  to  the  busi- 
ness in  hand.  As  the  visit  was  an  historic  one, 
by  reason  of  its  far-reaching  effects  upon  Amer- 
ican Short-horn  breeding,  some  details  will  be  of  in- 
terest. 

After  examining  a  few  herds  about  Liverpool  they 
JQurneyed  toward  Yorkshire,  stopping  at  Leeds  to 
see  the  herd  of  Mr.  W.  F.  Paley.  Finding  his  stock 
of  excellent  breeding  and  quality  they  secured 
options  on  a  few  animals.  They  next  attended  the 
Bipley  show,  after  which  they  proceeded  to  Studley 
to  see  Eichard  Booth's  herd.  With  the  Studley  cat- 
tle Mr.  Eenick  was  well  pleased,  but  as  they  were 
then  announced  to  be  sold  at  a  later  date  at  auction 
none  could  be  priced.  The  herds  of  J.  Woodhouse, 
A.  L.  Maynard,  J.  Clark  and  the  elder  Booth  (at 
Killerby)  were  next  seen.  Arriving  at  Darlington 
the  Americans  fell  in  with  Thos.  Bates.  They  were 
at  once  invited  to  Kirklevington,  Mr.  Bates  insisting 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    OHIO    VALLEY    HERDS  189 

that  they  make  his  house  their  headquarters  while 
ill  that  vicinity.*     Mr.  Renick  writing  of  this  said: 
''Mr.  Bates  is  a  wealthy  bachelor,  owns  a  fine  farm 
of  1,000  acres,  all  under  best  cultivation.    He  keeps 
a  dairy  of  forty  or  fifty  coavs,  generally  of  the  best 
Short-horn  blood,  from  which  he  raises  some  very 
fine  stock,  and  had  then  on  hand  some  young  bulls 
and   heifers   better   than   any   we   have   seen   else- 
where.'^   Bates  was  evidently  flattered  by  the  com- 
pliments bestowed  by  these  intelligent  foreign  visi- 
tors—the more  so,  doubtless,  as  they  had  already 
been  at  Studley  and  Killerby— and  to  the  surprise  of 
his   friends   offered   to   sell    them   six   of   his   best 
females.    The  Americans  were  not  yet  ready  to  buy, 
however,  and  continued  their  investigations.    Bates 
furnished  them  with  horses  and  rode  with  his  guests 
for  several  days  among  the  herds  of  the  Valley  of 
the  Tees;  ''but,''  says  Felix  Renick,  ''from  our  own 
observations,  as  w^eil  as  the  judgment  of  Mr.  Bates, 
their  stock   [that  of  the  neighboring  breeders]   is 
generally  'going  back.'  "    He  expressed  disappoint- 
ment at  the  character  of  many  of  the  herds  visited. 
They  then  turned   Southward,   "Mr.   Bates   going 
with  us. "    Evidently  the  sage  of  Kirklevington  was 

*This  incident  is  thus  related  by  Cadwallader  Bates:  "On  Easter 
Monday,  1834,  Bates  was  as  usual  at  Darlington  market.  Some  Ameri- 
cans staymg  at  the  King's  Head  came  up  and  spoke  to  him.  *  *  * 
In  the  course  of  the  conversation  Bates  soon  found  that  they  possessed 
a  great  knowledge  upon  the  subject  of  Short-horns.  *  *  *  He  gave 
them  full  details  of  his  experience,  telling  them,  among  other  things 
that  Belvedere's  sire,  Waterloo  (2816),  then  in  his  sixteenth  year  and 
Norfolk  (2377)  were  the  only  two  bulls  besides  Belvedere  (1766)' that 
were  in  his  opinion  the  least  likely  to  get  good  stock." — "Thomas  Bates 
and  the  Kirklevington  Short-horns/'  page  2^7. 


190  A    HISTORY    OF    SHOKT-HORX    CATTLE 

determined  that  his  guests  should  not  '^go  wrong'' 
in  their  buying — from  his  standpoint — if  he  could 
prevent  it.  In  company  with  Bates  they  called  on 
elonas  Whitaker,  who  had  dispersed  his  herd  the  pre- 
vious autumn. 

At  this  point  in  their  inquiries  it  was  arranged 
for  Messrs.  Harness  and  Josiah  Renick  to  go  to  Lon- 
don and  thence  into  Hereford  and  Devonshire  as  per 
Henry  Clay's  suggestion.  If  pleased  with  those 
breeds  Felix  Eenick  was  to  join  them  and  decide  as 
to  what  should  be  done.  The  impression  made  upon 
these  gentlemen  was  evidently  not  favorable  as 
against  the  Short-horns  as  no  purchases  were  made. 
Meantime  Felix  Eenick  went  with  Mr.  Whitaker 
and  Mr.  Paley  to  Lord  Althorxje's,  and  with  Bates 
to  Lord  Feversham's.  Mr.  Fawkes,  Col.  Cradock 
and  Mr.  Raine  were  also  visited.  It  thus  appears 
that  a  very  thorough  examination  of  the  English 
herds  of  that  date  was  made,  and  in  a  letter  to  his 
friend,  S.  S.  Denney  of  Ohio,  Felix  Renick  gave  his 
impressions  of  the  cattle  as  follows: 

"From  the  appearance  of  many  of  the  old  bulls  and  cows  wo 
have  seen,  which  are  now  from  twelve  to  twenty  years  of  age,  it 
is  very  evident  to  me  that  their  stocks  here  have  been  rather  on 
the  decline  for  some  years  back  owing  to  several  causes,  the 
principal  of  which  I  believe  to  be  the  unbounded  prejudices  gen- 
erally prevailing  among  the  breeders,  each  one  thinking  his  own 
the  best  and  consequently  breeding  in-and-in  too  much,  to  the 
great  injury  of  their  stock,  although  some  of  them  are  now  par- 
tially convinced  of  tfteir  error  and  in  some  measure  changing 
their  practice. 

"We  have  done  the  best  we  could  and  procured  some  that  are 
at  least  as  good  as  the  country  affords,  for  which  we  have  paid 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    OHIO    VALLEY    HERDS  191 

all  sorts  of  prices,  from  30  guineas  up  to  175  guineas,  such  is 
the  disparity  of  prices  The  value  depends  almost  entirely  upon 
the  purity  of  blood  and  high  pedigree.  If  a  breeder  here  goes 
to  purchase  an  animal  for  his  own  use  to  breed  from  he  will  not 
have  it  at  all  if  he  cannot  trace  it  back  some  50  or  100  years 
and  have  it  descended  from  the  famous  bull  Comet,  that  sold 
for  1,000  guineas,  or  some  other  equally  as  good;  and  on  the 
side  of  the  dam  it  must  also  have  descended  from  Old  Daisy, 
for  whom  some  hundred  guineas  were  refused,  or  some  other 
equal  in  their  estimation.  Thus  you  see  the  situation  we  are 
placed  in.  We  must  either  take  cattle  without  pedigree  or  much 
of  anything  else  to  recommend  them  or  take  those  that  have  at 
least  pedigrees,  with  more  excellence  of  form  and  size,  at  a  high 
price.  The  latter  was  in  our  judgment  the  better  of  the  two 
alternatives  and  the  one  we  have  so  far  pursued,  and  shall  con- 
tinue to  pursue,  and  take  fewer  in  number." 

Having  looked  the  ground  over  to  his  satisfaction 
Mr.  Eenick  selected  and  bought  nineteen  head  of 
cattle — seven  bulls  and  twelve  females.  Norfolk  he 
had  been  unable  to  secure  from  Mr.  Fawkes  at  an 
alleged  offer  of  400  guineas.  Mr.  Bates  had  priced 
his  ''pet  beauty,"  Duchess  33d,  at  150  guineas. 
Duchess  34th  at  100  guineas,  and  the  Matchem  Cow 
at  15  guineas,  but  neither  of  these  noted  animals 
was  bought.  It  is  alleged  that  the  influence  of  Mr. 
Whitaker  was  strenuously  exerted  against  the  pur- 
chase of  these  two  Duchesses,  but  as  the  former 
(bred  to  Norfolk)  became  the  ancestress  of  the 
costly  New  York  Mills  cattle  and  the  other  produced 
the  Duke  of  Northumberland  it  was  probably  well 
for  Bates  interests  that  the  Americans  did  not  take 
them.  Mr.  Renick  was  particularly  pleased  with 
the  young  stock  by  Belvedere  and  took  four  of  his 
get — two  bulls  and  two  heifers.     The  cattle  were 


192  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN^    CATTLE 

shipped  during  the  summer  of  1834  to  Philadelphia, 
wheuee  they  were  driven  over  the  mountains  through 
to  Chillicothe  and  placed  upon  Mr.  Kenick's  farm. 
The  judgment  of  the  stockholders  and  contemporary 
breeders  was  that  Mr.  Kenick  had  discharged  his 
difficult  task  in  an  eminently  satisfactory  manner. 
The  bulls  were  put  out  in  service  among  the  share- 
holders and  the  company  instructed  Mr.  Eenick  to 
proceed  with  arrangements  looking  towards  further 
shipments. 

Two  of  the  heifers  included  in  this  importation 
of  1834  gave  rise  to  families  of  Short-horns  which 
are  at  the  present  day  among  the  most  numerous  to 
be  found  in  the  leading  Short-horn  breeding  States. 
These  were  the  roan  heifers  Eose  of  Sharon,  bred  by 
Mr.  Bates  and  sired  by  Belvedere,  and  Young  Mary, 
bred  by  J.  Clark  and  sired  by  Jupiter.  Young  Mary 
was  taken  to  Kentucky  and  is  said  to  have  produced 
no  less  than  fourteen  heifer  calves,  besides  one  or 
two  bulls — possibly  the  most  extraordinary  case  on 
record.  She  lived  to  be  twenty-one  years  old.  The 
red  cow  Blossom,  by  Fitz  Favorite,  and  the  heifer 
Matilda,  by  Imperial,  also  left  numerous  descend- 
ants. Among  the  bulls  of  this  first  importation  were 
the  three-year-old  roan  Eeformer  (2505),  of  Eaine 
breeding;  the  yearling  Duke  of  York  (1941),  of 
Whitaker's  breeding,  and  Eantipole  (2478),  bred  by 
Mr.  Paley,  mainly  of  Booth  descent. 

Whitaker's  selections  of  1835  and  1836.— Mr. 
Eenick  deemed  it  safe  to  risk  the  judgment  of  Mr. 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    OHIO    VALLEY    HERDS  193 

Whitaker  for  such  additional  stock  as  might  be 
wanted,  and  made  the  company's  desires  known  in 
the  course  of  a  letter  from  which  we  quote : 

"I  am  authorized  by  the  company  to  make  another  small  im- 
portation in  the  spring,  which  I  beg  the  favor  of  doing  through 
you.  The  calf  of  your  old  cow  Minna  by  Norfolk  I  shall  expect, 
provided  he  still  continues  to  do  well  and  proves,  when  the 
time  arrives  for  starting  him,  to  be  first  rate  in  form,  size,  han- 
dling, etc.  This  will  be  left  entirely  to  your  own  judgment  and 
decision.  But  we  wish,  if  possible,  to  have  something  a  little 
superior  to  anything  that  has  yet  been  imported.  If  you  do  not 
consider  him  so  at  that  time  we  do  not  wish  him  sent.  We 
also  wish  you  to  procure  us  two  young  cows  with  calves  by  Nor- 
folk or  other  good  bull.  *  *  *  The  prices  we  were  asked  for 
year-old  bull  calves  by  Lord  Althorpe  and  Mr.  Bates  were  fifty 
guineas.  From  others  we  could  have  purchased  them,  perhaps 
equally  good,  from  that  price  down  to  thirty  guineas.  We  want 
none  without  fair  pedigrees,  but  form  and  size  they  must  have 
or  they  will  not  be  well  received  here.  You  will,  of  course,  not 
forget  the  handling  and  quality." 

The  importation  of  1835  was  a  small  one  and  in- 
cluded several  animals  sent  out  on  individual  ac- 
count. It  was  upon  this  occasion  that  Mr.  Bates 
shipped  to  America  the  Skipton  Bridge  Bull  (5208) 
and  the  heifer  Hon.  Miss  Barrington  as  a  present  to 
the  Bishop  of  Ohio  at  Kenyon  College.  In  1836  a 
large  shipment  was  forwarded,  including  many 
splendid  specimens  of  the  breed.  These  lots  came  via 
New  York,  being  shipped  from  Albany  to  Buffalo 
by  the  Erie  Canal,  by  lake  from  Buffalo  to  Cleve- 
land, and  thence  driven  ''overland'*  to  Chillicothe. 
Great  care  and  judgment  were  evidently  used  in 
making  these  selections.  Whitaker  had  the  assist- 
ance of  Mr.  Paley  and  Mr.  Fawkes  and  wrote  to  Mr. 


194  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORNT    CATTLE 

Renick  shortly  before  the  cattle  were  forwarded  as 
follows: 

"Mr.  Fawkes  and  I  returned  last  night  from  our  tour  of  in- 
spection among  all  the  principal  breeders  from  Ripon  to  the 
Bishop  of  Durham's;  thence  to  Mr.  Bates',  Mr.  Maynard's,  Mr. 
Wiley's,  Mr.  Harrison's  in  the  East  Riding,  Castle  Howard,  and, 
in  conclusion,  the  Earl  of  Spencer's  at  Wiseton,  We  were  at  it 
early  and  late  for  seven  days.  Booth  had  nothing  to  sell.  Col. 
Cradock  will  sell  or  let  Magnum  Bonum  in  the  autumn,  and  in- 
tends writing  to  Gen.  Gerrard,  who,  he  says,  offered  him  400 
guineas  for  him,  and,  the  Colonel  refusing  to  sell,  he  asked  if 
another  hundred  would  induce  him.  John  Colling  said  the  Gen- 
eral offered  him  300  guineas  for  two  heifers.  Mr.  Colling  has 
now  fixed  to  sell  his  entire  herd  in  the  autumn  of  1837,  John 
Maynard  his  in  the  autumn  of  this  year.  *  *  *  i  attempted  to 
buy  something  of  Mr.  Bates,  but  he  soared  so  high  I  could  not 
grapple  with  him.  For  a  bull  calf  five  months  old,  by  Belvedere, 
dam  by  Belvedere,  grandam  Duchess  34th,  he  had  the  modesty 
to  ask  400  guineas.  I  could  have  bought  two  young  bulls,  but 
they  were  not  good  enough  to  send.  Mr.  Paley  has  bought  three 
females,  but  I  have  not  seen  any  of  them  but  Sherwood's.  I 
have  finished  my  purchases  within  one  beast  but  have  not  time 
to  give  you  particulars — in  fact,  cannot,  not  having  received  au- 
thenticated pedigrees  of  several  animals.  I  shall  have  exceeded 
your  limits,  but  could  not  avoid  it." 

The  shipments  of  1835  and  1836  embraced  forty- 
two  animals,  bringing  the  total  number  of  cattle  im- 
ported by  the  Ohio  Co.  up  to  sixty-one  head,  a  com- 
plete record  of  which  may  be  found  in  the  valuable 
list  of  imported  cows  compiled  by  Mr.  William  War- 
field  and  published  by  the  American  Short-horn 
Breeders'  Association.  Space  will  not  permit  us  to 
enumerate  all  in  this  connection.  It  should  be 
stated,  however,  that  among  the  selections  made  by 
Mr.  Whitaker  were  the  afterward-celebrated  cows 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    OHIO    VALLEY    HERDS  195 

Josephine,  by  Norfolk    (2377);   Young  Phyllis,   by 
Fairfax  (1023) ;  Illustrious,  by  Emperor  (1974),  and 
Harriet,   by  Young  Waterloo    (2817).     When  Mr. 
Felix  Eenick  was  at  Mr.  Whitaker^s  in  1834  he  fell 
quite  in  love  with  the  cow  Minna,  by  Frederick, 
mentioned  in  his  letter  already  quoted.     It  seems 
that  this  cow  was  also  a  special  favorite  with  Mrs. 
Whitaker,  and  she  promised  Mr.  Eenick  that  the 
next  heifer  calf  produced  by  Minna  should  be  re- 
served for  him.    The  cow  was  bred  to  Norfolk,  and 
the  progeny— the  red-and-white  Josephine,  dropped 
in  November,  1835— was  sent  out  as  a  calf  to  Mr. 
Eenick  according  to  promise.     She  developed  into 
a  cow  of  outstanding  excellence,  and  her  descend- 
ants  for   many   years    constituted  one  of  the  best 
families    of    Short-horns    known    in    the    Western 
States.     Young  Phyllis  was  a  roan,  dropped  Sept. 
11,  1831,  bred  by  the  Earl  of  Carlisle  and  imported 
for  Mr.  E.  J.  Harness.     This  cow  had  a  very  dis- 
tinguished career  as  a  breeder  in  Kentucky,  and  her 
descendants  are  now  to  be  found  in  many  first-class 
herds.    One  of  her  daughters,  Catherine  Turley,  by 
Goldfinder  (2066),  lived  to  be  eighteen  years  old. 
Illustrious  was  also  a  roan,  dropped  March,  1835, 
and  bred  by  Mr.  Crofton.     A  high  price  was  paid 
for  her.     Mr.   Whitaker  wrote:     '^I  consider  her 
dear,  but  being  a  beautiful  calf  and  from  one  of 
the  best  herds  in  the  country  I  was  obliged  to  give 
more  than  I  thought  she  was  worth.    As  you  wished 
something  superlative  I  could  not  leave  her.''    De- 


196  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN^    CATTLE 

scendants  of  Illustrious  attained  high  rank  as  show 
and  breeding  stock  in  various  Western  herds.  Har- 
riet was  a  red-roan  of  March,  1835.  She  was  im- 
ported for  Mr.  James  Renick  of  Kentucky,  a  son-in- 
law  of  Mr.  Felix  Renick,  and  her  blood,  as  well  as 
that  of  Josephine  and  Illustrious,  was  afterward 
used  by  the  late  Abram  Renick  in  crossing  upon  his 
Rose  of  Sharon  family. 

Among  the  sixteen  bulls  imported  in  1835  and 
1836  one  of  the  most  noted  was  Comet  Halley  (1855), 
a  light  roan  bred  by  John  Maynard,  sired  by 
Matchem  (2281),  dam  by  Frederick  (1060),  tracing 
to  Robert  Colling 's  Golden  Pippin.  After  Reformer 
became  inefficient  this  bull  seems  to  have  been  more 
generally  used  upon  the  best  cows  of  the  company 
than  any  other  except  the  Duke  of  York.  He  had  no 
difficulty  in  defeating  in  the  show-yard  the  bull 
Comet  of  the  Dun  importation  which  we  have  pre- 
viously mentioned.  Goldfinder  (2066),  a  roan  of 
1835,  had  a  very  successful  career  as  a  breeder,  fully 
confirming  the  hopes  Mr.  Whitaker  expressed  re- 
garding him  at  the  time  he  was  selected  as  a  calf. 
Prince  Charles  (2461),  another  roan,  calved  in  1834, 
bred  by  Mr.  Whitaker  and  sired  by  Norfolk,  w^as  im- 
ported specially  for  Mr.  Geo.  Renick  and  ranked 
among  the  very  best  of  all  the  bulls  brought  out  in 
the  course  of  the  operations  of  the  Ohio  Co.  and  its 
individual  members.  The  roan  bull  Nimrod  (2371), 
by  Norfolk,  matured  into  a  grand  animal,  but  he  de- 
veloped what  appeared  to  be  a  tumor  before  the 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    OHIO    VALLEY    HEEDS  197 

company's  sale,  and  but  for  that  would  doubtless 
have  brought  a  very  long  price,  as  Abram  Renick 
favored  purchasing  him  instead  of  Matchem  ,(2283), 
but  his  associates  did  not  agree  with  him  in  this. 
Nimrod  was  bought  by  Col.  Florence  and  used  on 
grades.  A  few  pure-bred  cows  were  sent  to  him, 
however,  by  Harness,  Renick  and  others,  the  prod- 
uce being  cattle  of  extraordinary  merit. 

Sale  of  Oct.  29,  1836.— The  object  of  the  company 
— the  transfer  from  England  of  a  valuable  stock 
of  breeding  cattle  to  Ohio  soil — having  now  been 
accomplished,  it  was  decided  to  close  up  the  finan- 
cial affairs  of  the  "syndicate"  by  means  of  auction 
sales,  at  which  stockholders  and  outsiders  alike 
would  have  the  privilege  of  bidding.  The  first  of 
these — which  was  the  earliest  important  event  of 
the  kind  in  America — was  held  upon  Felix  Renick 's 
Indian  Creek  Farm,  in  Ross  County,  in  the  autumn 
of  1836.  The  cattle  were  in  fine  condition,  the  at- 
tendance was  large  and  high  prices  were  realized, 
as  will  appear  from  the  subjoined  report: 

cows    AXD    HEIFERS. 

Teeswater,    roan,    calved    Oct.    1832;    bred    by    Bates,   'of 
Princess  blood,   and   heifer  calf  Cometess,  by   Comet 
Halley— John   I.  Vanmeter,  Pike  Co.,   0 $2,225 

Young  Mary,  roan  four-year-old,  by  Jupiter,  and  roan  heifer 
calf  Pocahontas,  by  Comet  Halley — Edwin  J.  Harness, 
Ross    County    1,500 

Flora,  roan  four-year-old,  by  son  of  Young  Albion  (730), 
and  bull  calf  Powhatan  8281/^,  by  Comet  Halley — George 
Renick,  Ross   County    1,205 

Moss  Rose,  roan  two-year-old  heifer,  by  Stapleton  (2698)  — 

Jonathan  Renick,  Pickaway  County   1,200 


198 


A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORX    CATTLE 


Malina,    red-and-white    two-year-old,    bred    by    Whitaker — 

Isaac  Cunningham,   Kentucky $1,005 

Blossom,  red  six-year-old,  by  Fitz  Favorite    (1042) — R.  R. 

Seymour,   Ross   County 1,000 

Matilda,  red-and-white,  five  years  old,  by  Imperial  (2151)  — 

Arthur  Watts,  Ross  County   1,000 

Gaudy,  red-and-white,  five  years  old,  bred  by  A.  L.  Maynard 

— James  M.   Trimble,   Highland   County    985 

Lily  of  the  Valley  of  the  Tees,  roan,  five  years  old,  bred  by 

Raine — Thomas   Huston,    Pickaway   County 950 

Celestina,  roan,  two  years  old,  bred  by  Whitaker — Thomas 

Huston,   Pickaway   County    930 

Beauty  of  the  West,  red  two-year-old  heifer  from  imp. 
Blossom,  by  Fitz  Favorite — Asahel  Renick,  Pickway 
County    900 

Lady  Abernethy,   roan  yearling    (imported),  bred  by   Mr. 

Wylie — Thomas   Huston,   Pickaway   County 815 

Illustrious,  roan  yearling,  by  Emperor  (9174) — Abram  Re- 
nick,    Kentucky     775 

Lady  of  the  Lake,  red,  little  white,  yearling  heifer,  by  Re- 
former (2505)  out  of  imp.  Rose  of  Sharon — R.  R.  Sey- 
mour,   Ross    County    775 

Poppy,  red-and-white  heifer  calf,  by  Rantipole  (2478)  out 
of  Blossom  by  Fitz  Favorite — Harness  Renick,  Picka- 
way County    • 610 

Fink,  red-and-white  heifer  calf,  by  imp.  Duke  of  York 
(1941),  dam  imp.  Duchess  of  Liverpool — William 
Trimble,    Highland    County 575 

Duchess  of  Liverpool,  imported  in  1834,  but  unpedigreed — 

William  M.  Anderson,  Ross  County 570 

Lady  Paley,  red-and-white  heifer  calf,  by  Rantipole  (2478), 

dam  imp.  Flora — Alexander  Renick,  Ross  County 510 

Lilac,  red,  little  white,  yearling,  by  Rantipole  (2478),  dam 
Duchess  of  Liverpool — Elias  Florence,  Pickaway 
County    425 

May   Flower,   red-and-white  heifer   calf,  by   Duke  of  York 

(1941),  dam  imp.  Matilda — B.  Harrison,  Fayette  County      405 

Lucy,  roan  calf,  pedigree  in  doubt — George  Radcliff,  Pick- 
away  County    405 


DEVELOPMEXT    OF    OHIO    VALLEY    HERDS  199 

Calypso,   red-and-white,   five   years   old,   imported   in   1834, 

sired  by  Bertram    (1716)— S.  McNeil,  Ross  County... $    325 

Lady    Blanche,    sold    as    doubtful   breeder — Charles    Davis, 

Ross    County    250 

Lady  Colling,  doubtful  breeder — J.  T.  Webb,  Ross  County.      205 

BULLS. 

Duke  of  Norfolk   (1939),  red-and-white  yearling,  imported, 

sired  by  Norfolk  (2377)— Robert  Stewart,  Ross  County. $1,255 
Young   Waterloo    (2817),    roan,    three   years    old,   bred   by 
Bates,  of  Princess  blood — R.  D.  Lilley,  Highland  Coun- 
ty, for  Gov.  Trimble  and  others    1,250 

Matchem  (2283),  roan,  five  years  old,  bred  by  J.  Wood- 
house,  sired  by  Imperial  (2151)— Renick,  Cunningham 
and   Warfield    of   Kentucky    1,200 

Greenholme  Experiment  (2075),  roan,  two  years  old,  bred 

by  Whitaker— James  M.  Trimble,  Highland  County...   1,150 

Duke  of  York  (1941),  red-and-white  three-year-old,  bred  by 
Whitaker,  got  by  Frederick  (1060)— R.  R.  Seymour, 
Ross    County     1,120 

Goldfinder  (2066),  roan  yearling,  bred  by  J.  Lawson,  sired 
by  Charles  (1815)— Renick,  Cunningham  and  Warfield 
of    Kentucky    1,095 

Nimrod  (2371),  roan  yearling,  bred  by  Mr.  Tempest,  sired 

by  Norfolk — Elias   Florence,   Pickaway   County 1,040 

Whitaker  (2836),  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  Whitaker, 
sired  by  Norfolk,  dam  Minna,  hence  own  brother  to 
imp.  Josephine — William  M.  Anderson,  Ross  county...      855 

.^antipole    (2478),  red-and-white  four-year-old,  bred  by  W. 

F.   Paley — Arthur  Watts,   Ross   County 810 

Logan    (2218),    roan    yearling,    by    Duke    of   York    (1941), 

dam    imp.   Young   Mary — J.   Renick 750 

Earl  of  Darlington  (1944),  roan  three-year-old,  bred  by 
Bates  and  sired  by  Belvedere — B.  Harrison,  Fayette 
County    710 

John  Bull    (2161),  red,  little  white,  bull  calf,  by  Earl  of 

Darlington,  dam  Gaudy — William  Renick  Jr.,  Ohio...      615 

Duke   of  Leeds    (1938),   roan   yearling,   by   Norfolk — John 

Grouse,   Ross   County    575 


200  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN"    CATTLE 

Windham    (2845),    red-and-white    yearling,    bred    by    Earl 

Spencer — Charles  Davis,  Ross  County $    500 

Davy  Crockett  (3571),  roan  yearling,  recorded  as  from  imp. 

Young  Mary — Peter  Ayres,   Ohio 490 

Snow  Drop  (2654),  white  yearling,  by  Reformer  (2505), 
dam  Lily  of  the  Valley  of  the  Tees— Stewart  &  Mc- 
Neil,   Ohio    480 

Independence  (2152),  roan  yearling,  by  Earl  of  Darlington, 

dam  imp.  Matilda — Hagler  &  Peterson,  Ross  County...      400 

Commodore  Perry  (1859),  red  yearling,  by  Reformer,  dam 

imp.  Teeswater — W.  H.  Creighton,  Madison  County...      400 

Goliah    (2068),  red  yearling  by  Earl  of  Darlington,   dam 

imp.  Calypso — Isaac  V.  Cunningham,  Scioto  County...      300 

24  females   sold   for $19,545;  an  average  of $814.37 

19  bulls  sold  for 14,995;  an  average  of 789.20 

43  animals  sold  for 34,540,  an  average  of 803.25 

The  bulls  Eeformer  and  Columbus  were  sold  at 
this  sale  as  "unsound,"  and  as  they  therefore  com- 
manded a  low  price  they  are  not  included  above. 
The  company  made  a  present  to  Felix  Renick  upon 
this  occasion  of  the  roan  six-months-old  bull  calf 
Paragon  of  the  West  (4649),  sired  by  imp.  Duke  of 
York  (1941)  out  of  imp.  Rose  of  Sharon.  This  was 
a  graceful  act  upon  the  part  of  the  stockholders,  as 
the  calf  was  regarded  as  perhaps  the  most  valuable 
young  bull  in  the  possession  of  the  company  at  this 
date.  Like  his  sire,  the  Duke  of  York,  he  proved  a 
very  superior  stock-getter,  and  in  the  fall  of  1837 
won  first  prize  as  a  yearling  at  the  Ohio  State  Fair 
at  Columbus.  Eose  of  Sharon's  daughter,  Lady  of 
the  Lake,  purchased  by  Mr.  Seymour,  proved  a 
great  breeder.  She  never  grew  into  a  large  cow, 
but  was  exceedingly  neat,  with  a  very  handsome 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    OHIO    VALLEY    HEEDS  201 

head  and  prominent  eyes.  She  was  of  a  deep-red 
color,  with  a  little  white  on  each  flank  and  star  in 
forehead.  She  was  sold  to  George  Renick,  for  whom 
she  bred  five  heifers,  to-wit:  1838 — Rose  of  Shan- 
non 2d,  by  Comet  Halley  (1855);  1839 — Virginia, 
red-and-white,  by  Powhatan  828i/o;  1840— Thames, 
red,  by  Shakespeare  (12062);  1842 — Flora,  roan,  by 
Shakespeare,  and  in  1844  Lady  of  the  Lake  2d,  red- 
roan,  by  Young  Shakespeare  1311.  All  of  these 
heifers  left  a  valuable  progeny,  some  of  which,  in 
the  hands  of  Abram  Renick  of  Kentucky,  gained 
international  fame.  After  the  conclusion  of  this  sale 
the  imported  bull  Duke  of  Norfolk  was  resold  to 
Gov.  -Vance  and  J.  H.  James  of  Champaign  County 
for  $1,400. 

Final  sale  in  1837.— On  Oct.  24,  1837,  the  com- 
pany's affairs  were  finally  closed  up  by  a  sale  of 
such  stock  as  still  remained  in  its  hands,  which  con- 
sisted at  that  date  of  the  animals  sold  as  per  follow- 
ing list:  BULLS. 

Comet  Halley   (1855),  light  roan,  bred  by  John  Maynard; 
calved  December,  1832;  sired  by  Matchem  (2281),  dam 

by  Frederick  (1060) — George  Renick  and  others $2,500 

Acmon   (1606),*  roan,  calved  1833;   bred  by  W.  Raine;  by 
Anti-Radical  (1642),  dam  Sally  by  Young  Rockingham 

(2547)— M.  L.   Sullivant  &  Co.,  Columbus,  0 2,500 

Hazlewood   (2098),  red-roan,  calved  April  9,  1836;  bred  by 
W.  F.  Paley;  got  by  Norfolk  (2377)— Gov.  Trimble  and 

R.   R.   Seymour    : 700 

Powhatan  828^{;,  red-and-white,  calved  Oct.  6,  1836;   got  by 

imp.  Comet  Halley  out  of  imp.  Flora— Harness  Renick      500 

*Acmon  was  a  great  show  bull  and  also  proved  a  superior  stock- 
getter. 


202  A   HISTOEY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

Bouncer  (3196),  roan,  calved  March  18,  1836;  bred  by  Col. 

Cradock;   got  by  Magnum  Bonum   (2243) — John  Walk, 

Pickaway  County   $    450 

Santa  Anna,  roan,  calved  July  4,  1837;   got  by  imp.  Comet 

Halley  out  of  Lily  of  the  Valley  of  the  Tees— J.   C. 

Vance,    Ohio    Co.,    Va 425 

cows    AND    HEIFERS. 

Elizabeth    (imported),   roan,   calved   in   1832;    bred  by  T. 
Harrison;    got  by  Memnon    (2293);    and   calf — Gov.   J. 
Vance  and  William  Vance,  Champaign  County $1,450 

Flora  (imported),  roan,  seven  years,  by  son  of  Young  Al- 
bion   (730)— M.   L.   Sullivant,   Columbus    1,300 

Matilda    (imported),  red-and-white,  calved  April  12,  1831; 

by  Imperial  (2151)— Allen  Trimble,  Highland  County..   1,220 

Arabella*  (imported),  red-and-white,  calved  March,  1834; 
bred  by  R.  Pilkington;  got  by  Victory  (5565);  and 
calf— Dr.  Arthur  Watts,   Chillicothe ^.   1,200 

Blush  (imported),  white,  calved  Jan,  10,  1835;  bred  by  Mr. 
Bowen;  got  by  Monarch  (2326) — John  H.  James,  Cham- 
paign   County    1,015 

Emily     (imported),    "flecked,"    calved    Feb.    25,    1875;    by 

Maximus   (2284);   Asahel  Renick,  Pickaway  County...      875 

Victress,  roan,  calved  Jan.  8,  1836;  got  (in  England)  by 
Norfolk  (2377),  dam  imp.  Meteor  of  the  West— M.  L. 
Sullivant,    Columbus    700 

Charlotte  (imported),  roan,  calved  March,  1833;  bred  by 
R.  Pilkington;  got  by  Alderman  (1622)— J.  G.  White, 
Ross    County    630 

Fidelle  (imported),  roan,  calved  1830;  by  Adrian  (7720); 
bought  of  Whitaker,  and  the  dam  of  bull  Greenholme 
Experiment  in  the  sale  of  1836— Allen  Trimble 610 

Gbulls   sold   for $  7,075;  an  average  of $1,179.15 

9  females    sold    for 9,000;  an  average  of 1,000.00 

15  animals   sold   for 16,075 ;  an  average  of 1,071.65 


♦Arabella  was  a  grand  cow  and  proved  a  great  breeder,  producing 
for  Dr.  Watts  many  fine  animals — among  others  the  twin  show  cows 
Bessie  Belle  and  Mary  Grey.  Her  son  Marshal  (41990)  was  used  by 
George  Renick  and  sired  many  fine  cattle. 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    OHIO    VALLEY    HERDS  ZOo 

This  was  a  period  of  great  expansion.  Values  of 
all  sorts  were  inflated  by  paper-currency  issues,  and 
cattle  shared  in  the  general  "boom."  Hence  the 
great  price  made  at  this  sale.  Allen  speaks  in  his 
"History  of  the  Short-horns''  (page  183)  of  the 
stockholders  reaping  ' '  a  large  profit  on  their  invest- 
ment," but  this  was  not  true  save  in  the  case  of  a 
few  of  the  minor  members  of  the  association,  who 
were  not  buyers  of  cattle.* 

Nearly  all  the  capital  stock  subscribed  was  repaid 
in  cattle  at  high  prices.  Had  the  animals  been  re- 
sold soon  the  shareholders  would  have  made  a  good 
profit,  but  most  of  them  were  in  the  business  as  a 
steady  pursuit  and  kept  the  cattle  until  overtaken 
by  the  great  depression  that  soon  afterward  set  in. 
George  Renick  invested  more  liberally  than  any 
other  one  stockholder  and  had  the  largest  herd,  but 
his  sales  of  surplus  stock  were  made  at  moderate 
prices,  and  in  1846  he  was  obliged  on  account  of 
advancing  age  to  give  up  the  management  of  his 
landed  estates  and  his  entire  herd  was  offered  at 
auction.  "Hard  times"  prevailed,  however,  at  that 
period  and  but  one-half  the  cattle  were  sold,  and 
those  at  ruinous  figures.  The  other  Eenicks,  Gov. 
Trimble,  Messrs.  Seymour,  Sullivant,  Vahmeter, 
Watts,  et  al.,  had  also  to  be  content  with  moderate 
returns  until  the  revival  which  set  in  about  1850. 


*Among'  these  was  a  well-known  capitalist,  Lyne  Starling  of  Colum- 
bus, who,  when  the  agent  of  the  company  called  after  the  last  sale  and 
paid  him  more  than  double  the  amoimt  of  his  investment,  was  amazed, 
and  told  Mr.  Renick  that  he  had  intended  the  amount  as  a  contribution 
for  the  improvement  of  the  cattle  of  the  country  and  had  never  expected 
a  dollar  in  return. — Hon.  T.  C.  Jones,  in  Breeder's  Gazette,  Sept.  7,  1882. 


204  A   HISTORY    OF   SHOET-HOKy    CATTLE 

The  prime  object,  however — the  providing  of 
material  for  the  improvement  of  the  Ohio  and  Ken- 
tucky herds — had  been  attained,  and  in  that  fact 
the  enterprising  men  who  made  these  memorable 
importations  found  ample  compensation.  Speaking 
of  the  first  importation,  in  a  letter  written  July  26, 
1834,  Felix  Eenick  said: 

"We  have  already  had  a  number  of  applications  to  purchase 
some  of  them  and  have  been  offered  $500  for  the  youngest,  a  calf 
less  than  five  months  old.  But  we,  as  a  company,  have  higher 
views  than  that  of  immediately  realizing  a  little  profit,  provided 
it  could  be  done.  The  object  was  first  conceived  and  has  so  far 
been  carried  out  for  the  good  of  the  country,  whether  it  has 
been  well  or  illy  executed  is  not  for  us  to  say." 

It  is  indeed  difficult  to  overestimate  the  value  of 
the  Ohio  Co.  's  work.  It  gave  to"  the  West  not  only 
the  Eoses  of  Sharon,  Young  Marys,  Young  Phyllises 
and  Josephines,  but  supplied  crosses  of  fresh  blood 
that  proved  powerful  influences  for  good  upon  the 
herds  derived  from  earlier  importations.  The  entire 
industry  in  Ohio  and  Kentucky  felt  the  quickening 
touch,  and  in  later  years  the  full  fruition  of  the 
fondest  hopes  of  the  company  were  more  than 
realized. 

Thomas  Bates  to  Felix  Renick. — The  Ohio  Co.  had 
meditated  a  continuation  of  its  importations,  but  the 
financial  drift  of  the  times  was  not  favorable.  In 
December,  1837,  Felix  Renick  had  written  to  Mr. 
Bates*  in  reference  to  further  purchases,  inquiring 
particularly  about  the  Duke  of  Northumberland 
(1940).    While  nothing  came  of  these  negotiations, 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    OHIO    VALLEY    HERDS  205 

the  appended  reply  of  Mr.  Bates  is  given  in  full  as 
possessing  some  historic  interest.  The  italicized 
sentence  is  especially  characteristic  and  shows  that 
in  spite  of  all  his  claims  for  the  Duchess  blood  Bates 
was  fully  aware  of  the  fact  that  it  was  the  Princess 
bull  Belvedere  that  really  made  his  herd.    We  quote: 

"KiRKLEViNGTON,  ApHh  1838.— I  think  it  on  the  whole  better 
not  to  send  you  any  of  my  own  cattle  this  season,  the  exchange 
being  so  much  against  you.  Next  year,  as  you  say  you  intend  to 
continue  importing,  I  might  furnish  you  with  ten  young  heifers 
or  young  cows  having  had  a  calf  or  two,  and  five  or  six  young 
bulls,  either  of  the  age  you  got  the  two  last  from  me  or  a  year 
older. 

"The  Duke  of  Northumberland  (1940)  and  Short-tail  (2621) 
are  the  only  bulls  I  am  now  using,  and  their  stock  is  even  more 
promising  than  that  of  their  sire  Belvedere  (1706).  The  four  you 
got  of  me  were  all  by  Belvedere,  and  all  my  stock  are  by  him 
and  his  sons.  After  the  trials  I  have  now  had  and  seen  of 
Short-horns  for  nearly  sixty  years  nothing  could  induce  me  to 
use  any  bull  that  had  not  Belvedere's  blood.  You  will  find  it  all 
money  thrown  away  to  duy  any  hull  that  has  not  sprung  from 
him. 

"Twenty-eight  days  after  the  birth  of  the  Duke  of  Northum- 
berland (1940),  Brokenleg  (Duchess  34th),  whom  you  will  re- 
member, was  again  put  to  her  sire  Belvedere  and  brought  2d 
Duke  of  Northumberland.  She  has  since  brought  me  a  heifer  to 
her  sire,  and  is  now  I  expect  in  calf  to  Short-tail. 

"By  putting  Duke  of  York  (1941)  to  the  heifers  you  got  of 
me  you  will  bring  their  produce  into  disrepute.  I  will  on  no 
consideration  whatever  (if  you  would  give  me  ten  times  the 
price  I  would  otherwise  have  charged  you  for  a  heifer)  sell  you 
any  heifers  to  put  to  any  bulls  but  what  I  have  bred,  or  are  of 
my  blood.  Nor  will  I  sell  you  at  any  price  till  you  and  the 
company  you  act  with,  under  your  joint  hands^  have  solemnly 
promised  not  to  do  so.  My  object  has  never  been  to  make 
money  by  breeding,  but  to  improve  the  breed  of  Short-horns; 
and  if  I  know  it  I  will  not  sell  any  to  anyone  who  has  not  the 


206  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORJT    CATTLE 

same  object  in  view.  On  this  principle  I  began  breeding,  and  I 
am  convinced  I  have  a  better  breed  of  Short-horns  in  my  pos- 
session at  present  than  there  has  been  for  the  last  fifty  years, 
even  in  the  best  days  of  the  Messrs.  Colling. 

"The  bull  you  ask  me  about  sending  you,  Duke  of  Northum- 
berland, is  everything  I  can  wish  in  a  bull,  and  Short-tail  has 
taken  after  2d  Hubback,  of  whom  his  dam  (Duchess  3 2d)  had 
two  crosses.  Short-tail's  sister  (Duchess  41st),  the  best  animal 
in  my  possession,  I  expect  is  in  calf  to  the  Duke  of  Northum- 
berland. The  six  from  which  your  two  were  taken  were  good, 
but  the  breed  of  the  years  1835-6  were  far  superior  to  those  six, 
though  very  good.  Brokenleg  (Duchess  34th)  I  offered  you  at 
100  guineas.  If  you  were  to  send  twenty  times  that  sum  for 
her  and  her  produce  I  would  not  take  it  now.  You  will  re- 
member I  told  you  after  buying  the  two  heifers  that  if  either 
of  them  died  on  the  passage  or  did  not  breed  when  you  got 
them  home  I  would  give  you  the  two  nearest  in  blood  to  them. 
Now  (Red  Rose  13th)  a  sister  in  blood  to  your  Rose  of  Sharon 
(calved  since  you  were  here)  has  produced  a  heifer  (2d  Cam- 
bridge Rose)  to  her  sire  Belvedere;  and  for  the  two  I  would  not 
take  1,000  guineas.  These  would  have  been  yours  now  had 
yours  not  bred.  I  will  not  sell  either  cow  or  calf,  but  I  have 
no  objection  to  sell  the  bulls  I  breed  from  them,  or  from  my 
Duchess  tribe,  which  are  far  better  animals  than  the  Red  Rose 
tribe.  I  will  not  part  with  the  females  of  these  tribes  at 
present." 

Mr.  Clay's  importations  to  Kentucky. — In  1836 
and  1837  Mr.  H.  Clay,  Jr.,  Fayette  Co.,  Ky.,  imported 
eleven  head  of  Short-horns,  including  the  bulls  Lord 
Althorpe  658  and  Neptune  743,  and  cows  Britannia 
(roan),  Victoria  (white),  by  Osgodley,  and  Crocus 
(red-and-white),  by  Imperial  (2151).  The  pedigrees 
of  some  of  these  cattle  were  imperfect  or  mis  sing- 
entirely.  In  1838,  in  connection  with  Gen.  James 
Shelby,  Mr.  Clay  made  a  further  importation,  con- 
sisting of  twelve  head,  including  the  bulls  Cossack, 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    OHIO    VALLEY    HERDS  207 

alias  Julius  Caesar  (3503),  Don  John  426,  and  cows 
Jane,    Dorcas,    Charity,    Nerissa,    Moss    Rose    by 
Eclipse,  Columbine,  Pet,  Vixen,  Princess  and  Pro- 
tectress.   The  bull  Cossack,  or  Julius  C^sar,  above 
mentioned,  was  a  roan,  bred  by  Mr.  Topham,  sired 
by  Cossack  (1880),  bred  by  Richard  Booth  of  Stud- 
ley,  dam  imp.  Moss  Rose  by  Eclipse.     He  was  im- 
ported as  a  calf,  was  afterward  sold  to  Benjamin 
Wariield,  and  left  much  good  stock.    At  a  sale  held 
by  Mr.  Clay  at  Lexington  in  the  fall  of  1839  eight 
cows  and  heifers  averaged  $420  each,  the  highest 
figure  reached  upon  that  occasion  being  $835  for  a 
two-year-old. 

Dr.  Martin's  importation  in  1839.— Dr  Samuel  D 
Martin  of  Clark  Co.,  Ky.,  who  had  been  breeding 
Short-horns  for  some  years,  in  1839  sent  an  order  to 
Mr.  Paley  for  a  shipment  of  cattle.  Mr.  Paley  had 
assisted  in  the  selections  made  for  the  Ohio  Co.  and 
filled  this  order  by  sending  out  nine  head,  including 
the  cows  Jessy  (roan  of  A.  L.  Maynard's  breeding) 

^oi^rr  ^^'-^^'  ^'^^^^  (red-roan),  by  Laurel 
(^188);  Leonida  (red),  by  Red  Simon  (2499)  •  Rosa 
lie  (red-and-white),  by  Cadet  (1770),  dam  Leonida, 
just  mentioned;  Sprightly  (red-and-white),  by  Fitz 
Roslyn  (2026),  and  Jessamine  (roan),  by  Leonidas 
(4211)  out  of  imp.  Jessy,  mentioned  above.  The 
cow  Sprightly  gave  birth  in  December,  1839    to  a 

?.^oon?^  ^^^'"^  ^''"''  afterward  recorded  as  Specie 
(5289)  and  Speculation  (5293),  both  bred  bv  Mr. 
Paley,  and  sired  by  Mendoza  (4456).    Imp.  Beauty 


208  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORNT    CATTLE 

produced  to  an  English  service  the  red  bull  calf 
Bullion  (3240). 

R.  Hutchcraft's  importation. — Eeuben  H.  Hutch- 
craft  of  Bourbon  Co.,  Ky.,  imported  seven  head  from 
England  in  1839,  including  the  bulls  Van  Buren 
1062,  bred  by  Col.  Cradock  and  sired  by  Magnum 
Bonum  (2243)  and  the  yearling  Don  John  (3603). 
The  females  included  the  roan  yearling  heifer  Wild 
Eose,  by  Chorister  (3378),  bred  by  Mr.  Watkin;  the 
red  cow  Harriet,  by  Gainford  (2044),  and  the  Mag- 
num Bonum  heifers  Fatima,  Beda  and  Blossom — all 
of  Col.  Cradock 's  breeding. 

Fayette  County  Importing  Co. — The  first  ' '  syndi- 
cate" formed  in  Kentucky  for  the  purchase  of  Eng- 
lish Short-horns  was  that  represented  by  the  Fayette 
County  Importing  Co.,  which,  in  the  spring  of  1839, 
sent  the  Eev.  E.  T.  Dillard  and  Mr.  Nelson  Dudley 
abroad  as  agents.  They  bought  twenty-one  head  of 
cows  and  hjeifers  and  seven  bulls.  After  arrival  in 
Kentucky  the  cattle  were  placed  upon  the  farm  of 
David  Sutton,  near  Lexington,  and  in  July,  1840, 
were  sold  at  auction.  This  was  considered  a  very 
superior  lot  and  included  such  fine  bulls  as  Eclipse 
(9069)  and  Carcase  (3285),  of  S.  Wiley's  breeding. 
Among  the  females  that  afterward  gave  rise  to  good 
families  of  Short-horns  were  Victoria,  by  Plenipo; 
Fashion  (dam  of  heifer  calf  Zelia,  by  Norfolk); 
Lady  Elizabeth,  by  Emperor;  Eosabella  2d,  by 
Velocipede,  etc.  Indeed,  some  of  the  best  cattle  bred 
in    subsequent    years    in    Kentucky  and  the  West 


DEVELOPMEXT    OF    OHIO    VALLEY    HERDS  209 

claimed   descent  from   this   selection,   and   on   this 
account  we  append  herewith  report  of  the  sale: 

cows     AXD     HEIFERS. 

Victoria,  roan,  calved  August,  1835;  bred  by  J.  E.  Maynard, 

sired  by  Plenipo    (4724) — R.  Fisher $1,750 

Miss  Maynard,  roan,  calved  1837;  bought  of  A.  L.  Maynard, 

sired  by   Chorister    (3378)— A.   McClure 1,005 

Avarilda,  white,  calved  April,  1846;   bred  by  W.  F.  Paley, 

sired  by  Norfolk    (2377)— John  Allen    920 

Fashion,  roan,  calved  April,  1832;  bred  by  W.  Cooper,  sired 
by  Young  Don  Juan  (3610),  and  red-and- white  heifer 
calf  Zelia,  by  Norfolk   (2377)— F.  W.  Williams 885 

Miss  Luck,  roan,  calved  May  25,  1834;  bought  of  Mr.  Whit- 

aker,  sired  by  Allison's  Roan  Bull  (2999)— H.  Clay  Jr.      800 

Nancy,  white,  calved  Jan.  1,  1837;  sired  by  Reformer  (2510) 

— C.   J.  Rogers    730 

Tulip,    roan,    calved   1836,   bred   by   Mr.   Crofton,    sired   by 

Bachelor    (1666)— A.  McClure    700 

Beauty,  roan,  calved  March,  1834;  bought  of  A.  L.  May- 
nard, sired  by  Belvedere   (1706)— H.  Clay  Jr 700 

Lady   Elizabeth,*    roan,    calved   Feb.    4,   1838;    bred   by   M. 

Crofton,  sired  by  Emperor  (1974) — H.  Clay  Jr 660 

Splendor,  roan,  calved  March,  1834;    bred  by  Mr.  Cattley, 

sired  by  Bedford  Jr.    (1701)— B.  Gratz 650 

Elizabeth,  roan,  calved  October,  1832;  bred  by  J,  E.  May- 
nard, sired  by  Plenipo    (4724) — A.   McClure 505 

Rosabella  2d,  roan,  calved  January,  1839;  bought  of  Mr. 
Whitaker;  sired  by  Velocipede  (5552),  running  to  Col- 
ling's  Golden  Pippin — W.  A.  Warner 465 

Flora,  calf  of  imp.   Beauty — H.   Clay 410 

Lily,  white,  calved  1834;  bred  by  L.  Severs,  sired  by  Count 

(3506)— T.    Calmes    390 

Britannia,  roan,  calved  February,  1838;  bred  by  Mr.  Crof- 
ton, sired  by  Emperor  (1974),  and  heifer  calf  Dido — H. 
T.    Duncan    375 


*Lady  Elizabeth  Was  an  exceedingly  well-bred  cow  and  proved  the 
ancestress  of  one  of  the  best  families  of  Short-horns  ever  bred  in  the 
'Vestern  States.  The  branch  known  as  the  Nelly  Blys,  in  the  hands  of 
-Mr.  J.  H.  Spears  of  Illinois  and  others,  acquired  national  reputation  for 
their  uniform  high  excellence. 


210  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

Isabella,   white,   calved  Oct.   14,   1839;    bred  by   T.   Crofton, 

sired  by  Melmoth   (2291)— R.  Fisher,  Boyle  County... $    355 

Jessica,  roan,  calved  Feb.  22,  1839;  bought  of  Mr.  Maynard, 
sired  by  Velocipede  (5552)  out  of  imp.  Beauty  by  Bel- 
vedere— Joel    Higgins    330 

Maria,  heifer  calf  from  imp.  Elizabeth — J.   B.  Ford 310 

Miss  Hopper,  roan,  calved  1835;  bred  by  T.  Crofton,  sired 

by   Duke    (1935)— W.    T.    Calmes 270 

BULLS. 

Eclipse  (9069),  calved  April  26,  1837;  bred  by  Mr.  Arrow- 
smith;   sired  by  Velocipede   (5552)— R.  Fisher $1,050 

Carcase  (3285),  red-and-white,  calved  July,  1837;  bred  by 
S,  Wiley;  sired  by  Belshazzar  (1704) — Benjamin 
Gratz,    Lexington    725 

Nelson  741,  white,  calved  Dec.  4,  1839;  bred  by  Mr.  Whita- 
ker;  sired  by  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax  (5196)— P.  Tod- 
hunter     610 

^olus  200,  roan,  calved  April,  1836;  bred  by  Mr.  Rowland- 
son,   sired  by   Harlsey    (2091)— R.   Fisher 610 

Prince  Albert  2065,  roan,  calved  May  25,  1840;  bred  by  J.  E. 
Maynard;  sired  by  Carcase  (3285)  out  of  imp.  Victoria 
by  Plenipo — J,   Flournoy 350 

Bruce  289,  bull  calf  from  imp.  Avarilda — M.  Williams....      315 

Milton  713,  calf  of  imp.  Miss  Maynard — James  Gaines 285 

19  females    sold    for $12,210;  an  average  of $642.60 

7  bulls    sold    for 3,945;  an  average  of 563.55 

26  animals  sold  for 16,155;  an  average  of 621.35 

From  the  above  it  appears  that  Fayette  County 
buyers  took  eight  heaci,  Bourbon,  Scott  and  Mercer 
Counties  five  each  and  Jessamine  County  four.  In 
view  of  the  fact  that  this  sale  was  made  during  a 
period  of  declining  values  the  prices  obtained  were 
excellent  and  demonstrated  the  pluck  of  the  Ken- 
tucky breeders  of  that  day. 

Importations  into  Tennessee. — The  great  interest 
manifested  in  Short-horn  breeding  in  Kentucky  ex- 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    OHIO    VALLEY    HERDS  211 

tended  at  an  early  date  into  the  neighboring  State 
of  Tennessee,  and  a  few  cattle  were  imported  into 
that  State  prior  to  1840.  Unfortunately  no  exact 
data  exist  in  reference  to  these  selections.  It  is 
known  that  in  1837  Messrs.  Gordon  &  Bradford  of 
Nashville  imported  the  cow  Hibernia,  recorded  in 
Vol.  XXIV  of  the  American  Herd  Book.  She  was 
white,  with  red  markings,  said  to  have  been  bred  in 
Ireland,  and  was  sold  soon  after  importation  to  the 
Shakers  of  South  Union,  Ky.  About  the  same  date 
Mr.  Harvey  Hill  of  New  Orleans  imported  and  sent 
to  his  farm  in  Tennessee  the  roan  heifers  Gentle,  by 
Cupid  (7941),  Lady  Littleton  (white),  by  Ranuncu- 
lus (2479),  and  Mild  Spring,  that  were  sold  to  Mark 
R.  Cockrill  of  Nashville.  Messrs.  Shelby  &  Williams 
of  Nashville  imported  the  heifers  Agnes  and  Butter- 
cup (the  former  calved  in  1835  and  the  latter  in 
1836)  and  the  bulls  Champion  and  Cassius.  These 
latter  were  without  pedigrees  so  far  as  the  records 
show. 

Mr.  B.  Letton  imported  in  1840  into  Tennessee  the 
young  cows  Beauty,  Spot  and  Cowslip.  Beauty 
calved  the  white  Aqua,  and  Spot  the  red-and-white 
Neptune  at  sea.  iVn  unnamed  roan  and  a  red-and- 
white  heifer  were  included  in  this  same  shipment. 
All  were  without  herd-book  record.  Some  five  years 
previous  a  Mr.  Murdock  had  imported  the  red-and- 
white  Bella,  by  Silkworm  (5129),  and  cow  Rebecca 
— bred  by  Sir  John  Kennedy — together  with  the 
bulls  Murdock  and   Silkworm — both  roans.     Bella 


212  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

was  pedigreed  and  passed  into  tlie  possession  of  M. 
E.  Cockrill. 

William  Neff's  importation. — In  June,  1838,  Wil- 
liam Neff,  a  public-spirited  and  wealthy  business 
man  residing  in  Cincinnati,  imported  into  Ohio  the 
roan  cows  Blossom,  by  Belshazzar  (1704) ;  Cather- 
ine, by  Eastthorpe  (1947);  Strawberry  (of  Booth 
blood),  by  Ambo  (1636);  and  bulls  Prince  William 
1390,  Cincinnatus  and  Clifford — the  former  roan  and 
the  latter  white.  To  this  list,  as  given  by  Mr.  War- 
field,  Judge  Jones  adds  the  roan  heifer  Lady  Anne, 
by  Magnum  Bonum  (2243),  and  states  that  she  was 
a  great  dairy  cow,  giving  thirty-two  quarts  of  milk 
per  day  for  two  months  in  succession.  The  Judge 
also  states  that  Mr.  Neff  imported  the  roan  bull 
Berryman  (3143),  but  Mr.  Warfield  is  authority  for 
the  statement  that  Lady  Anne  and  Berryman  were 
imported  by  Mr.  Josiah  Lawrence  of  Cincinnati,  and 
in  addition  states  that  Lawrence  also  imported  in 
1838  the  heifers  Juno,  Fortuna,  Adelaide,  Empress 
and  Verbena. 

Wait  and  other  importations. — In  1839  Samuel 
Wait  imported,  via  New  Orleans,  Duchess,  by  Stud- 
ley  Eoyal  (5342) ;  Rosebud,  bred  by  John  Booth  of 
Killerby,  sired  by  Harlsey  (2091);  Lily  of  the  Tees, 
by  Belvedere  2d  (3126);  Pretender  (4756),  bred  by 
Lord  Fever  sham;  Velocipede  (11098),  Cleveland 
(3405)  and  Liverpool.  Mr.  Warfield  states  that 
these  cattle  were  sold  to  Messrs.  Shirley  &  Birch  of 
Louisville,  Ky.    In  1840  Mr.  Wait  made  another  im- 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    OHIO    VALLEY    HERDS  213 

portation,  consisting  of  the  two  bulls,  Macadam  1814 
and  Anty  (3021),  and  eight  cows,  Ellen  Long,  by 
Beaumont  (3115);  Hebe,  by  a  son  of  Highflyer 
(2122) ;  Victoria  (or  White  Rose),  by  Matchem  4th; 
Pink,  by  Belvedere  2d  (3127);  Flora,  by  Imperial 
(2151);  Splendour,  bred  by  Mr.  Cattley  and  sired 
by  Symmetry  (2723),  and  Daisy,  by  Bamaby  (1678). 
It  is  said  that  most  of  these  cows  were  imported  for 
Mr.  S.  Bradford  of  Tennessee.  Splendour  is  said  to 
have  been  sold  to  Mr.  E.  P.  Prentice  of  New  York 
in  1839.  Daisy  passed  into  the  possession  of  the 
Shakers  of  Kentucky.  Messrs.  Wait  &  Bagg  also 
imported  about  this  same  time  the  roan  bull  Albion 
(2971),  bred  by  R.  Lawson  and  sired  by  Charles 
(3343).  The  pedigrees  of  some  of  these  cattle  seem 
to  have  been  perfect  and  others  were  not.  Mr. 
Warfield  says:  ''So  many  errors  and  blunders  have 
been  found  in  the  pedigrees  of  the  cattle  imported 
by  S.  Wait  that  it  is  deemed  necessary  to  state  that 
they  should  be  examined  with  great  care.'^ 

In  1837  the  bull  Grosvenor  (3946),  tracing  to  a 
Booth  foundation,  was  imported  for  Mr.  Michael 
Boyne,  and  the  bull  Sovereign  995,  with  heifer 
Strawberry,  by  Magnum  Bonum,  for  Messrs.  R. 
Jackson  and  John  Hodgson;  presumably  in  connec- 
tion with  the  Ohio  Co.'s  operations. 

About  1840  Messrs.  Joel  Higgins  and  Calvin  C. 
Morgan  imported  into  Fayette  Co.,  Ky.,  five  heifers 
from  the  herd  of  Mr.  Chrisp,  as  follows:  Mary  and 
Theodosia,  both  by  Prince  Eugene   (2643);  Henri- 


21-4  A   HISTOEY   OF   SHORT-HOE  X    CATTLE 

etta,  by  Red  Prince  (2489);  Eleanor,  by  Brougham 
(1746),  and  Princess  (or  Anne),  by  Captain  (3273); 
the  first  four  roans  and  the  latter  red. 

First  Bates  bull  in  Kentucky. — Between  the  years 
1839  and  1841  James  Letton  of  Bourbon  Co.,  Ky., 
imported  several  females  and  two  bulls,  one  of  the 
latter  being  Locomotive  (4245),  bred  by  Mr.  Bates 
and  sired  by  Duke  of  Northumberland  (1940)  out 
of  the  Oxford  Premium  Cow.  This  bull  was  a  half- 
brother  to  Duke  of  Wellington  (3654),  imported  by 
Mr.  Vail  of  New  York.  Mr.  Warfield  lists  the  Let- 
ton  importation  as  having  been  made  in  1839.  The 
Albany  Cultivator  for  July,  1841,  (page  120),  is  our 
authority  for  the  statement  that  Locomotive  arrived 
in  New  York  May  20,  1841,  so  that  we  believe  our 
statement  on  page  219,  that  Duke  of  Wellington  was 
the  first  Oxford  bull  bought  for  America,  to  be  cor- 
rect.* For  Locomotive  the  sum  of  $1,225  was  paid 
in  England.  He  became  the  property  of  W.  T. 
Calmes  of  Fayette  Co.,  Ky.,  upon  whose  farm  he 
died.  Among  the  cows  imported  by  Mr.  Letton  was 
the  red-roan  lanthe,  by  Barforth  (3085),  that  gave 
rise  to  a  numerous  family.  Another  that  had  many 
descendants  was  Miss  Severs,  by  Eeformer  (2510). 


*It  is  said  that  Mr.  Letton  had  seen  the  Bates-Oxford  bull  Duke  of 
"Wellington,  bought  by  George  Vail,  land  at  New  York,  and  was  so 
favorably  impressed  that  upon  learnine:  that  Duke  had  a  half-brother 
(Locomotive,  that  had  been  bought  of  Mr.  Bates  by  J.  C.  Etches  of  Liv- 
erpool for  100  guineas)  he  determined  to  buy  him.  This  he  did.  and  the 
bull    (Locomotive)    proved  a  successful  prize-winner  in  Kentucky. 


CHAPTER  IX 
EASTERN  IMPORTATIONS— 1830  TO  1850 

While  the  farmers  and  stock-growers  of  the  Ohio 
Valley  States  were  making  substantial  progress  in 
the  improvement  of  their  herds,  as  noted  in  the  pre- 
ceding chapter,  large  infusions  of  fresh  blood  from 
England  were  introduced  into  New  York  and  Penn- 
sylvania. The  more  important  importations  made 
into  these  and  adjacent  States,  contemporaneous 
with  and  following  the  important  operations  of 
Colonel  Powel  already  mentioned,  will  now  be  noted. 

New  York  importations. — Mr.  Wm.  Jackson  im- 
ported into  New  York  between  the  years  1833  and 
1840  the  roan  cows  Duchess,  by  Ebor  (996);  Rose, 
by  Skipton,  and  Miss  Scotson.  The  former  was  sold 
to  Messrs.  Wasson  &  Shropshire  and  Rose  to  N.  L. 
Lindsey  of  Kentucky.  The  latter  had  numerous  de- 
scendants, among  w^hich  were  many  excellent  cattle, 
but,  as  her  sire  was  not  pedigreed,  these  shared  more 
or  less  in  the  discredit  that  was  cast  in  later  years 
upon  cattle  tracing  to  animals  having  such  defects  in 
their  lineage.  Jackson  also  imported  the  bulls  Mag- 
net and  Dimples  421,  the  latter  being  taken  by  Mr. 
Brent  to  Bourbon  Co.,  Ky.,  in  1835. 

Around  1834  to  1836  Thomas  Weddle  imported 
about  fifteen  head  of  Short-horns,  most  of  which 

215 


21G  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

were  females.  Some  of  these  were  pedigreed  and 
some  were  not.  Among  the  pedigreed  cows  were 
Daisy  and  Crocus,  both  by  Eomulus  (2563) ;  Prim- 
rose, by  Pioneer  (1321),  and  Buttercup,  by  Sir  Wal- 
ter (1459).  Primrose  was  bought  at  Mr.  Weddle's 
sale  of  1838  by  Gen.  James  Dudley  of  Fayette  Co., 
Ky.  The  roan  bull  Charles  (1816),  bred  by  the  Earl 
of  Carlisle  and  sired  by  Eockingham  (2550)  of  the 
Weddle  importation,  was  taken  to  Kentucky  the 
same  year  by  Gen.  Dudley.  Allen  states  that  Mr. 
Weddle  was  an  Englishman,  who  had  emigrated 
from  Yorkshire  into  Western  New  York  and  brought 
these  cattle  with  him.  He  states  that  they  were  all 
well-bred  Short-horns,  chiefly  from  the  well-known 
herd  of  Major  Bower. 

In  1835  Samuel  Allen  is  said  to  have  imported  into 
New  York  the  roan  cow  Rachel  of  Mr.  Whitaker's 
breeding  on  the  same  ship  that  brought  out  one  of 
the  Ohio  Co.'s  importations.  Although  her  pedigree 
was  mislaid  she  was  guaranteed  a  purely-bred  Short- 
horn and  gave  (when  in  full  flow  of  milk  on  pas- 
ture) twenty-eight  quarts  per  day.  Mr.  Allen  also 
brought  out  at  the  same  time  the  roan  cow  Miss 
Lawrence,  said  to  have  been  bred  by  Richard  Booth 
at  Studley.  Her  pedigree  was  also  lost,  but  she  is 
said  to  have  been  a  prize-winner  as  a  dairy  cow  in 
England  before  being  shipped,  and  after  her  arrival 
in  America  gave  thirty-four  quarts  of  rich  milk  per 
day  on  grass  alone.  She  was  sold  in  1839  to  N.  C. 
Baldwin  of  Cleveland,  0.    A  third  cow  in  this  same 


EASTERN  IMPORTATIONS  217 

shipment  was  the  white  Miss  Bellon,  that  became 
the  property  of  Lewis  F.  Allen,  founder  of  the  Amer- 
ican Herd  Book.  She  was  also  an  excellent  milker, 
producing,  Mr.  Allen  states,  for  weeks  in  succession 
twelve  pounds  of  butter  per  week. 

In  1836  Messrs.  Edward  A.  Leroy  and  Thomas 
H.  Newbold  of  Livingston  Co.,  New  York,  im- 
ported three  heifers  and  the  bull  Windle  185.  The 
heifers  were  Venus,  by  Magnum  Bonum;  Dione,  by 
Monarch,  and  Netherby,  by  the  same  sire.  About 
1836  Peter  A.  Remsen  of  Genesee  County  imported 
the  red  bull  Alexander  4,  of  Mr.  Maynard's  breed- 
ing, and  several  cows  and  heifers,  including  Ade- 
laide, Pretty  Face,  Lavinia  and  White  Rose.  He 
bred  from  these  for  several  years,  and  after  dis- 
posing of  some  of  them  in  New  York  removed  with 
the  remainder  to  Maryland,  where  they  were  finally 
dispersed.  About  1838  Mr.  John  F.  Sheaffe  estab- 
lished a  Short-horn  herd  at  his  farm  and  country 
residence  in  Duchess  County,  on  the  Hudson  River. 
He  started  with  cattle  descended  from  the  early 
New  England  importations.  To  these  he  added, 
soon  after  1840,  the  cows  Phoebe  1st,  Dahlia  1st 
and  Beauty  1st,  but  the  pedigrees  of  these  are  im- 
perfectly stated.  He  subsequently  imported  the 
roan  cow  Seraphina,  by  Wharf  dale  (1578),  and  the 
red-and-white  bull  Duke  of  Exeter  449 — the  latter 
bred  by  J.  Stephenson  of  Wolviston.  This  bull  is 
said  to  have  proved  a  capital  sire.  He  is  described 
as   an  animal  possessing   remarkable   quality   and 


218  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HOKX    CATTLE 

subsequently  passed  into  the  possession  of  Lewis 
F.  Allen.  Mr.  Sheaffe  bred  cattle  until  Aug.  29, 
1850,  when  his  herd  was  dispersed  at  public  sale. 
Between  the  years  1840  and  1843  James  Lenox  of 
New  York,  who  owned  a  fine  country  seat  adjoining 
that  of  Mr.  Sheaffe,  imported  three  cows  and  two 
bulls,  including  Daffodil,  Eed  Lady  and  Gayly,  and 
the  bulls  Prince  Albert  133  and  King  Charles  2d 
84 — bred  by  Jonas  Whitaker.  The  two  'bulls  and 
one  of  the  females  were  sired  by  the  noted  Sir 
Thomas  Fairfax  (5196).  Between  the  years  1835 
and  1841  Mr.  E.  P.  Prentice  of  Albany  imported 
eight  or  ten  head  of  Short-horns,  which  were  placed 
upon  his  villa  farm  near  that  city.  He  had  founded 
his  herd  with  stock  bought  from  the  early  importa- 
tions of  General  Van  Eensselaer  already  mentioned. 
Among  the  females  imported  were  several  from  the 
herd  of  Mr.  Whitaker,  including  Esterville,  by 
Alfred  (2987),  and  Moss  Eose,  by  Barden.  He 
maintained  the  herd  until  1850,  when  it  was 
dispersed  at  public  sale. 

In  1836  Erastus  Corning  of  Albany,  in  connection 
with  Mr.  W.  H.  Sotham,  who  later  became  an  active 
advocate  of  Herefords,  made  an  importation  con- 
sisting of  seven  females  and  three  bulls.  One  of 
the  cows,  the  roan  Wilddame,  by  Anthony  (1640), 
proved  a  very  successful  breeder,  and  left  many 
descendants  whose  pedigrees  may  be  found  in  the 
American  Herd  Book.  She  was  from  the  stock  of 
Mr.  W.  Lovell,  from  whose  herd  Mr.  Corning  also 


EASTERN  IMPORTATIONS  219 

obtained  the  heifers  Mary,  Mabel,  Cherry,  Pet, 
Cleopatra  and  Venus.  The  bulls  Columbus  (5869), 
also  from  Mr.  Lovell's  herd,  and  Ashley  (3045) 
were  imported  along  with  these  heifers.  About 
1846  a  Mr.  Oliver  of  Westchester  County  imported 
the  bull  Marius  684,  a  roan,  bred  by  Earl  Spencer 
from  Mason  stock.  He  was  sold  to  Col.  L.  G. 
Morris,  who  exhibited  him  at  the  New  York  State 
Fair  at  Buffalo  in  1848,  at  which  show  he  was  sold 
to  David  Harrold  of  South  Charleston,  0.,  in  which 
State  he  did  excellent  service  for  some  years. 

Vail's  purchases  of  Bates  cattle. — Somewhere 
about  the  year  1835  Mr.  George  Vail  of  Troy,  New 
York,  became  enamored  of  Short-horn  breeding  and 
established  a  herd  at  his  country  seat  near  that  city. 
Between  the  years  1839  and  1844  he  imported,  in 
connection  with  Mr.  S.  P.  Chapman,  about  fifteen 
head  of  cattle.  In  1840  he  bought  from  Thomas 
Bates,  through  Mr.  Etches  of  Liverpool,  the  roan 
bull  calf  Duke  of  Wellington  (3654),  that  was  sired 
by  the  Duchess  bull  Short  Tail  (2621)  and  had  for 
dam  the  noted  Oxford  Premium  Cow,  winner  at  the 
first  show  ever  held  by  the  Eoyal  Agricultural  So- 
ciety of  England.  This  purchase  constituted  the 
earliest  importation  of  the  Duchess  and  Oxford 
blood  into  this  country.*    Mr.  Vail  also  bought  from 

*It  may  be  of  some  interest  to  state  that  from  an  entry  in  the  Kirk- 
levingtcn  accounts,  bearing  date  of  June  3,  1840.  it  appears  that  Mr.  Vail 
paid  for  Duke  of  Wellington  and  Duchess  the  sum  of  £200.  It  appears 
from  a  letter  written  by  Mr.  Bates  to  Mr.  Vail  in  1843  that  100  guineas 
each  was  being  asked  for  such  cattle  as  Bates  was  willing  to  spare.  In 
this  same  letter  Bates  adds :  "The  tribes  of  really  good  Short-horns  are 
very  few.  I  have  tried  myself  above  two  hundred  varieties.  Out  of 
these  I  have  but  six  tribes  which  I  do  not  mean  to  part  with." 


220  A   niSTORY   OF   SHOET-HOKX    CATTLE 

Mr.  Bates  a  cow  called  Duchess,  although  not  be- 
longing to  the  family  of  that  name.  She  was  a 
white  daughter  of  Duke  of  Northumberland  (1940) 
out  of  Nonesuch  2d  by  Belvedere  (1706).  This  cow 
produced  the  two  bulls  Meteor  104  and  Symmetry 
166,  both  by  Duke  of  AVellington,  but  died  without 
leaving  female  progeny.  Mr.  Vail  showed  a  marked 
partiality  for  Bates  blood  and  subsequently  im- 
ported the  red  heifer  Lady  Barrington  3d,  bred  by 
Mr.  Bates  from  Cleveland  Lad  (3407)  out  of  Lady 
Barrington  2d  by  Belvedere  (1706).  From  Messrs. 
Thomas  and  Eobert  Bell,  tenants  of  Mr.  Bates,  he 
obtained  the  roan  Hilpa,  by  Cleveland  Lad  (3407) ; 
the  roan  Yarm  Lass,  by  4th  Duke  of  York  (10167)  ; 
the  red-and-white  Cecilia,  by  3d  Duke  of  Northum- 
berland; the  roan  Agate,  by  3d  Duke  of  York 
(10166),  running  on  the  dam's  side  to  Acomb  by 
Belvedere;  the  red-and-white  Arabella,  also  an 
Acomb,  sired  by  4th  Duke  of  Northumberland 
(3649)  ;  the  roan  Frantic,  by  4th  Duke  of  York 
(10167);  Boukie  (red-roan),  by  4th  Duke  of  York, 
tracing  on  dam's  side  to  Craggs,  a  cow  obtained  by 
Messrs.  Bell  from  Mr.  Bates ;  and  the  roan  bull  Earl 
Derby  456,  by  5th  Duke  of  York  (10168)  out  of 
Lady  Barrington  4th. 

Prior  to  Mr.  VaiPs  purchases  of  Bates-bred 
Short-horns  about  the  only  specimens  of  Kirklev- 
ington  breeding  seen  in  the  United  States,  had  been 
the  few  brought  out  during  the  course  of  the  Ohio 
Co.'s  importations.    Mr.  Vail  was  an  enthusiast  in 


EASTERN  IMPORTATIONS  221 

Short-horn  breeding*  and  exhibited  with  success  at 
the  York  State  shows  of  that  period.*  He  made  an 
effort  to  be  present  at  the  closing-out  sale  of  the 
Bates  herd  in  England,  but  the  event  occurred  at  an 
earlier  date  than  he  had  anticipated,  so  that  he  did 
not  arrive  until  the  sale  was  over.  He  had  mean- 
time bought  the  herd  of  Mr.  Prentice,  but  soon 
afterward  gave  up  breeding;  his  herd  being  sold  in 
October,  1852. 

Whitaker's  shipments  to  America.— Undoubtedly 
the  most  active  man  in  England  in  connection  with 
shipments  to  America  during  the  period  from  1820 
to  1840  was  Jonas  Whitaker.  He  had  not  x)nly  sold 
quite  a  number  of  cattle  to  the  early  New  York  and 
Massachusetts  importers  as  already  detailed,  but 
had  supplied  Col.  Powel  of  Philadelphia  with  many 
first-class  cattle.     He  had  also  been  largely  instru- 

*Writing  to  Mr.  Bates  in  1847  Mr.  Vail  said:  "I  sent  my  bull  Meteor 
to  the  show  for  exhibition  only  at  the  request  of  some  friends,  as  he  had 
taken  the  first  premium  for  the  best  Durham  bull  in  1844,  as  well  as  the 
first  prize  for  bull  of  any  breed.  The  bull  Marius,  bred  by  Earl  Spencer, 
justly  took  first  premium  in  Durham  bulls.  The  judges  in  their  report 
on  these  said:  'The  justly  celebrated  bull  Meteor,  belonging  to  Mr. 
George  Vail,  was  on  the  ground  for  exhibition  only,  being  excluded  from 
competing  at  present.  We  think  he  stands  unrivaled.'  *  *  *  i  sup- 
pose there  were  30,000  or  40,000  persons  present,  among  them  many  of 
the  first  men  in  the  country  and  two  ex-Presidents  of  the  United  States. 
*  *  *  Mr.  A.  B.  Allen  of  New  York,  whom  you  know,  is  continually 
urging  me  to  get  a  young  Duchess  bull  from  you.  I  would  much  like 
one,  but  at  present  dare  not  venture  the  expense.  *  *  *  Meteor  is 
in  some  respects  a  finer  animal  than  Wellington.  He  is  better  in  the 
hind  quarters  and  across  the  hips.  Wellington  has  not  a  broad  hip 
and  is  rather  thin  across  the  twist.  His  fore  end  cannot  be  beat.  He 
is  a  superior  handler,  as  is  also  Meteor.  The  latter  weighs  2,200  lbs. 
and  Wellington  will  weigh  nearly  1,900  lbs.  Meteor  would  take  high 
rank  even  in  your  country.  *  *  *  Our  county  show  took  place  last 
week  and  was  the  best  we  have  had.  I  was  equally  successful  in  win- 
ning premiums  here  as  at  the  State  show.     Hilpa  took  the  first  prize." 


222  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOR>T    CATTLE 

mental  in  the  selection  of  the  importations  made  by 
the  Ohio  Co.  and  its  individual  members.  Impelled 
by  the  high  prices  made  at  the  Ohio  Co. 's  sales  Mr. 
Whitaker  determined  to  try  the  experiment  of  ex- 
porting Short-horns  to  America  to  be  offered  for 
sale  on  his  own  account.  The  first  shipment  was 
made  in  August,  1837,  the  cattle  being  placed  upon 
the  farm  of  Col.  Powel.  This  lot  consisted  of  fifteen 
bulls  and  nineteen  cows  and  heifers.  Whitaker  was 
always  a  good  '^keeper,"  and  these  animals  were 
forwarded  in  good  condition ;  and  as  they  were  well 
bred  and  their  coming  had  been  widely  advertised 
they  attracted  much  attention,  and  when  offered  at 
auction  drew  the  presence  of  a  great  attendance  not 
only  from  the  States  of  New  York  and  Pennsylvania 
but  from  the  then  distant  cattle-breeding  districts 
of  Ohio  and  Kentucky.  The  sale  occurred  at  Powel- 
ton  in  September^  1837,  the  bulls  averaging  $353, 
the  cows  $480,  and  the  total  sales  aggregating 
$14,215.  Among  those  sold  upon  this  occasion  were 

the  following : 

Clarksville,  by  Lottery  (2227),  a  roan  two-year-old  heifer, 
bought  by  Mr.  Neff  for  $630  and  subsequently  sold  to  John  Had- 
ley  of  Clinton  Co.,  O.,  in  which  State  she  gave  rise  to  a  consid- 
erable family. 

Young  Isabella,  a  red-and-white  cow,  bred  by  Richard  Booth, 
sired  by  Memnon  (2295)  out  of  the  celebrated  Isabella  by  Pilot. 
She  was  bought  by  C.  J.  Wolbert  of  Philadelphia  for  $405. 

Profitable,  roan,  two-year-old  heifer,  sired  by  Young  Ebor 
(3682),  sold  to  Mr.  Neff  of  Cincinnati  for  $550. 

Ruth,  red-and-white  six-year-old,  bred  by  Richard  Booth  and 
belonging  to  the  old  Killerby  Moss  Rose  family,  also  sold  to  Mr. 
Neff  at  $460. 


EASTERN  IMPORTATIONS  221) 

Beauty,*  red-and-white  four-year-old,  bred  by  Mr.  Tempest, 
sired  by  De  Veaux  (1916),  running  through  Bertram  (1716)  and 
Frederick  (1060)  to  Colling's  old  Bright  Eyes  sort.  This  cow 
was  likewise  purchased  by  Mr.  Neff  at  $540. 

Lucilla,  roan  four-year-old,  by  Edmund  (1954),  also  bought  by 
Mr.  Neff  and  resold  to  Benjamin  Scott'  of  Kentucky. 

Brutus  31,  roan  yearling  bull,  bred  by  Whitaker,  bought  by 
Mr.  Neff  for  $330. 

Bruce  (3233),  red  yearling  bull,  bred  by  Whitaker,  bought  by 
Mr.  Rotch  of  New  York  for  $360. 

Miser  (2323),  white  yearling  bull,  bred  by  Whitaker,  bought  by 
Mr.  Cunningham  for  $470. 

While  these  prices  were  not  altogether  sat- 
isfactory to  Mr.  Whitaker  he  sent  out  another 
considerable  shipment  in  1838  or  1839  that  were 
also  sold  near  Philadelphia.  In  this  lot  were 
twenty-two  cows  and  heifers  and  six  bulls.  They 
were  sold  at  sales  held  in  the  years  1838  and  1839, 
but  accurate  records  as  to  what  became  of  many  of 
the  cattle  have  not  been  preserved.  There  are  in 
fact  few  descendants  of  the  females  included  in 
these  last  shipments  on  record  in  this  country.  One 
exception  to  this  may  be  noted,  however,  in  the  case 
of  the  roan  Victoria,  by  Luck's  All  (2230),  of  Mr. 
Cattley's  breeding,  that  was  bought  at  the  sale  by 
Mr.  George  Brinton  for  $520.  This  was  about  the 
highest  price  inade  at  the  last  sales,  values  ranging 
sharply  downward   from    about   that   figure.      The 


*From  imp.  Beauty  was  descended  the  great  family  of  show  and 
breeding  cattle  known  as  "Profltables,"  afterward  famous  in  Ohio  in 
the  hands  of  the  late  David  Selsor,  from  whose  herd  many  splendid  in- 
dividual Short-horns  of  that  tribe  were  sold  throughout  various  West- 
ern States.  There  was  at  one  time  an  effort  made  to  discredit  this  fam- 
ily on  account  of  alleged  inability  to  trace  the  lineage  direct  to  imp. 
Beavity.  The  breeding  was,  however,  certified  to  by  Mr.  J.  J.  .Tones, 
who  bought  the  cow  Profitable  2d  from  Mr.  Neff.  See  reference  to  this 
in  Breeder's  Gazette,  Sept.  14,  1882. 


224  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-IIORX    CATTLE 

depression  which  was  at  this  date  beginning  to  set- 
tle down  upon  American  industries  militated  against 
success  in  these  operations  of  Mr.  Whitaker  and  he 
made  no  further  shipments. 

Introduction  of  Princess  blood. — Mr.  Vail's  im- 
portations had  the  effect  of  drawing  public  attention 
to  the  herd  of  Mr.  Bates,  and  in  the  year  1849  Mr. 
Ambrose  Stevens  of  Batavia,  N.  Y.,  went  to  England 
with  a  letter  of  introduction  to  Bates  from  Vail  and 
purchased  for  importation  the  roan  bull  3d  Duke  of 
Cambridge  (5941),  then  eight  years  old,  sired  by 
the  Duke  of  Northumberland  (1940)  out  of  Water- 
loo 2d  by  Belvedere.  This  bull  represented  a  union 
of  the  Duchess,  Princess  and  Waterloo  tribes,  and 
after  his  arrival  in  America  an  interest  in  him  was 
sold  to  CoL  J.  M.  Sherwood  of  Auburn,  N.  Y.  Along 
with  the  Duke  Mr.  Stevens  brought  out  from  the 
herd  of  Mr.  Stephenson  of  Wolviston  the  roan  year- 
ling heifers  Princess  2d,  by  General  Sale  (8099), 
and  Princess  3d,  by  Napier  (6238),  together  with 
Red  Eose  2d,  a  red  four-year-old  cow  by  Napier. 
These  were  the  first  representatives  of  the  tribe  of 
Belvedere  to  be  transferred  to  American  soil.  Red 
Rose  2d  was  sold  to  Col.  Sherwood.  She  was  a 
capital  dairy  cow,  and  it  is  recorded  that  ^ '  she  made 
forty-nine  pounds  of  butter  in  twenty-five  consecu- 
tive years  in  May  and  June,  1851,  when  four  years 
old  with  her  second  calf."  Mr.  Stevens  brought 
out  in  1849,  as  a  calf,  the  Princess  bull  Lord  Vane 
Tempest  (10469)  and  sold  him  to  Col.  Sherwood. 


EASTERN  IMPORTATIONS  225 

In  1850  Messrs.  Stevens  and  Sherwood  imported 
the  two-year-old  Princess  bull  Earl  of  Seaham 
(10181),  of  Stephenson's  breeding,  that  was  after- 
ward sold  to  Eev.  John  A.  Gano,  Kentucky.  The 
Earl  also  proved  a  successful  stock-getter.  Along 
with  him  were  imported  the  cows  Princess  4th,  by 
Napier;  Waterloo  5th  and  Wild  Eyes  5th,  both  of 
Bates  blood,  but  they  died  without  issue.  The  red 
Princess  bull  Wolviston  1109  was  also  included  in 
this  shipment,  and  was  sold  after  importation  to 
William  Ashton  of  Gait,  Can.  In  1851  Messrs. 
Stevens  and  Sherwood  imported  the  Princess  bull 
calf  Earl  Vane  (14483)  and  the  five-year-old  cow 
Princess  1st,  by  Napier.  The  following  year  the 
roan  Princess  heifer  Lady  Sale  2d,  by  Earl  of  Chat- 
ham (10176),  and  the  roan  four-year-old  Princess 
cow  Tuberose  2d,  by  Earl  of  Antrim  (10174),  were 
brought  out.  Red  Rose  2d,  Tuberose  2d  and  Lady 
Sale  2d  became  the  matrons  of  the  Princess  tribe  in 
America,  and  in  later  years  their  descendants  com- 
manded enormous  prices  as  a  result  of  the  great 
appreciation  in  values  of  Bates-bred  Short-horns. 
This  was  of  course  due  to  the  fact  of  the  great 
success  met  with  by  Mr.  Bates  in  the  use  of 
Belvedere. 

Miscellaneous  importations. — In  1835  Mr.  Harmer 
Denny  of  Pittsburg  imported  the  red-and-white 
yearling  bull  Young  Buckingham  (1758),  a  roan 
two-year-old  heifer  and  her  sire,  a  bull  called  Archi- 
tect ;  the  two  latter  not  being  fully  pedigreed.  These 


226  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

were  selected  in  England  by  Rev.  John  A.  Robert- 
son. During  the  same  year  R.  D.  Shepherd  of 
Baltimore,  Md.,  imported  nine  females  and  six  bulls, 
some  of  which  were  without  pedigrees.  Several  of 
the  cows,  including  Lucrece,  Haidie  and  Diana,  were 
sold  to  Hon.  Henry  Clay  and  taken  to  Kentucky. 
In  1837  or  1838  William  Gibbons  of  Madison,  N.  J., 
imported  the  roan  bull  Majestic  (2249),  bred  by  Mr. 
Crofton,  the  roan  Arthur  (3040)  and  the  white  cow 
Volage;  both  of  the  latter  bred  by  Whitaker.  In 
1838  Dr.  John  A.  Poole  of  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  im- 
ported the  white  yearling  bull  Bernard  19,  descended 
from  Magdalena,  by  Comet,  and  the  cows  Maria, 
Fanny  and  Barmpton  Cow.  In  1839  Joseph  Cope  of 
Pennsylvania  bought  at  Kirklevington  the  roan  bull 
Yorkshireman  (5700),  bred  by  Bates  and  belonging 
to  his  Blanche  tribe ;  paying  for  him  something  over 
£100.  In  1839  Daniel  Holman  imported  the  red- 
and-white  three-year-old  cow  Jane,  bred  by  G.  L. 
Ridley  and  sired  by  Young  Magog  (2247).  We 
should  note  the  shipment  of  the  roan  cow  Violet, 
by  Regent  (2517),  along  with  the  bulls  Young 
Rocket  (4979)  and  Rubens  (2573)  to  H.  Whitney 
of  Connecticut  about  1840.  Also  the  importation 
by  William  Whitney  of  Morristown,  N.  J.,  about 
the  same  date  of  the  twin  heifers  Cornelia  and 
Harriet,  by  Birmingham  (3152),  and  their  dam,  the 
roan  Ringlet,  by  Belshazzar  (1704),  of  the  Earl  of 
Carlisle's  breeding. 


CHAPTER  X 
SECOND  PERIOD  OF  ACTIVITY  IN  AMERICA 

During  the  decade  from  1840  to  1850  a  profound 
depression  overtook  American  agricultural  indus- 
tries. The  outburst  of  activity  in  live-stock  improve- 
ment that  had  found  manifestation  in  the  new  West 
during  the  ''thirties"  in  the  operations  of  the  first 
Ohio  and  Kentucky  importing  companies,  was  fol- 
lowed by  ten  or  twelve  years  of  declining  values 
and  waning  interest  in  all  things  agricultural. 
Importations  ceased.  Discouraged  by  the  absence 
of  demand  for  good  cattle,  leading  breeders  reluc- 
tantly castrated  many  well-bred  young  bulls  that 
should  have  been  doing  service  in  the  herds  of  the 
farming  community.  Large  numbers  of  good  cows 
and  heifers  were  fed  off  for  the  shambles.  Pedigree 
records  were  in  many  cases  neglected.  In  this  way 
many  descendants  of  the  importations  already  noted 
disappeared  from  view.  As  has  been  true,  however, 
during  all  such  trying  times,  certain  men  who  knew 
that  history  never  fails  to  repeat  itself  stood  stead- 
fastly by  the  "red,  white  and  roans,"  firm  in  the 
belief  that  the  tide  would  some  day  turn.  And  so 
it  did. 

Soon  after  1850  the  clouds  that  had  settled  over 
the  industry  during  the  twelve  years  preceding 
began  to  break.    The  price  of  meats*  advanced  under 


228  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN^    CATTLE 

a  renewed  domestic  demand  and  the  opening  up  of 
foreign  markets  for  grains  and  provisions.  Those 
who  had  tenaciously  held  their  ground  in  cattle 
breeding  discerned  signs  of  better  days  near  at 
hand  and  began  taking  steps  to  recruit  their  herds 
up  to  the  former  standard.  AVe  now  enter  upon  a 
most  interesting  period  of  Short-horn  history;  a 
period  characterized  by  remarkable  activity  on  the 
part  of  powerful  interests ;  a  period  that  witnessed 
the  founding  of  the  great  herds  at  AVoodburn  and 
Thorndale ;  the  organization  of  numerous  importing 
companies  in  Kentucky,  Ohio  and  New  York,  and 
that  also  marks  the  extension  of  Short-horn  breeding 
into  Indiana,  Illinois  and  other  Western  States. 

The  first  **Duke"  for  America. — Mr.  Lorillard 
Spencer  of  New  York  imported  in  the  year  1851 
or  1852  the  red  Bates  Duchess  bull  Duke  of  Athol 
(10150),  that  had  been  sold  at  the  Kirklevington 
sale  of  1850  as  a  calf  to  Mr.  Parker  of  Penrith  for 
forty  guineas.  Along  with  him  came  the  young  bull 
Augustus  (11125)  and  Woldsman  (11026),  together 
with  the  heifers  Sonsie  8th,  by  2d  Cleveland  Lad; 
Faraway,  by  3d  Duke  of  Oxford,  and  Jean,  by  Chev- 
alier. He  bred  from  these  for  a  few  years  and 
possessed  a  few  other  Short-horns  bought  from  New 
York  State  breeders.  He  maintained  the  herd, 
however,  but  a  short  time. 

Morris  and  Becar. — Col.  L.  G.  Morris  and  Noel  J. 
Becar  of  New  York  attended  the  dispersion  sale  of 
the  herd  of  Thomas  Bates  in  May,  1850,  as  reported 


SECOND  PERIOD   OF   ACTIVITY  229 

on  page  108,  and  after  looking  over  the  cattle  de- 
termined to  invest  in  the  Oxford  Wood.  Three 
cows  and  heifers  of  the  family  that  gave  Mr.  Bates 
his  Liverpool  Royal  Champion  Cleveland  Lad  fell 
to  their  bidding,  viz. :  The  roan  five-year-old  Oxford 
5th,  by  Duke  of  Northumberland ;  the  red-and-white 
yearling  Oxford  10th,  by  3d  Duke  of  York  (10166), 
and  her  full  sister,  the  roan  heifer  calf  Oxford  13th. 
Col.  Morris  took  the  cow  and  the  yearling,  and  Mr. 
Becar  the  calf.  Subsequently  Col.  Morris  bought 
the  roan  cow  Beauty  of  Brawith  (of  B.  Wilson's 
breeding) ;  the  red-roan  Bloom,  by  the  Booth-bred 
Sir  Leonard  (10827),  and  Eomelia,  a  roan,  by 
Flageolet  (8130).  He  also  purchased  the  red-and- 
white  Bates-bred  Balco  (9918),*  by  4th  Duke  of 
York  (10167)  out  of  Wild  Eyes  15th  by  4th  Duke 
of  Northumberland  (3649),  the  first  of  that  tribe 
to  come  to  America;  Lord  of  Eryholme  (12205),  a 
roan  of  A.  L.  Maynard's  breeding;  Marquis  of  Car- 
rabas  (11789),  a  roan,  bred  by  Fawkes  of  Farnley 
Hall,  and  the  Bell-Bates  bull  Billy  Pitt  (9967).  The 
roan  Romeo  (13619),  bred  by  the  Marquis  of  Exeter, 
was  bought  on  joint  account,  and  afterward  proved 
a  valuable  ^^outcross"  upon  the  Oxfords. 

Mr.  Becar  was  a  Frenchman  who  had  emigrated 
when  a  young  man  to  the  city  of  New  York,  where 
he  established  himself  as  a  merchant,  which  occu- 
pation he  for  many  years  successfully  pursued.    He 


*At  a  later  period  Balco   passed   into   the  possession  of   Gen.    Sol. 
Meredith  of  Cambridge  City,  Ind. 


230  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

married  an  American  wife,  whose  family  held  large 
possessions  of  land  on  Long  Island.  He  imported 
on  his  individual  account  some  sixteen  head  of  cows 
and  heifers  between  the  years  1850  and  1854.  In- 
cluded among  these  were  the  Bates-bred  Oxford 
6th,  Lady  Barrington  12th  and  Apricot.  The  ship- 
ment also  included  the  Secret  heifer  Surprise  and 
the  white  cow  Songstress,  the  first  of  the  Gwynne 
family  (closely  allied  to  the  Princesses)  imported 
to  America.  This  lot  also  included  the  roan  cow 
Actress,  by  Harkaway  (9184),  that  was  subse- 
quently sold  to  the  Hon.  John  Wentworth  of  Chi- 
cago, 111.  This  importation  is  notable  also  as  having 
contained  the  first  specimen  of  the  Mason  Victorias 
brought  to  this  country — namely,  Victoria  26th, 
bred  by  Mr.  Holmes  of  Ireland  and  sired  by  the 
Booth  bull  Baron  Warlaby  (7813).  Two  roan 
heifers  from  noted  English  herds  were  Zoe,  bred  by 
Mr.  Tanqueray,  and  Miss  Belleville,  bred  by  Mason 
Hopper  and  sired  by  the  ''never-beaten''  Belleville 
(6778).  The  former  was  the  earliest  representative 
of  the  ''J"  branch  of  the  Princess  sort  imported. 

The  Earl  Ducie  sale  in  England. — While  Messrs. 
Morris  and  Becar  were  making  these  purchases  an 
event  that  was  destined  to  exercise  an  extraordinary 
influence  upon  Short-horn  breeding  on  both  sides 
of  the  water  occurred  in  England.  This  was  the 
closing-out  sale  of  the  herd  of  Earl  Ducie,  at  Tort- 
worth,  which  took  place  Aug.  24,  1853,  as  a  conse- 
quence of  the  Earl's  decease.    It  will  be  remembered 


SECOND  PERIOD  OF  ACTIVITY  231 

that  at  the  Bates  dispersion  sale  Ducie  had  bought 
the  4th  Duke  of  York,  Duchess  55th,  Oxford  6th, 
Duchess  59th,  Duchess  64th  and  Oxford  11th.  He 
bred  Duchess  59th  to  Usurer  (9763) — the  Mason- 
bred  bull  for  which  he  paid  400  guineas  at  the  sale 
of  the  Earl  Spencer  cattle  in  1848.  The  white 
Duchess  67th  resulted,  but  she  seemed  so  unprom- 
ising that  Lord  Ducie  is  said  to  have  considered  that 
the  cross  was  a  failure  and  stated  that  he  would 
never  again  ''outcross"  the  Duchesses  and  Oxfords. 
At  the  Tortworth  sale  Messrs.  Becar  and  Morris 
were  represented  and  secured  Duchess  66th  and  the 
red  three-year-old  bull  Duke  of  Gloster  (11382),  by 
Grand  Duke  (10284).  For  Duchess  66th  they  were 
forced  to  pay  700  guineas — the  top  price  of  the  sale. 
She  was  a  roan,  coming  three  years  old,  sired  by 
4th  Duke  of  York  (10167)  out  of  Duchess  55th,  and 
became  the  ancestress  in  America  of  the  far-famed 
Oneida,  Geneva,  and  Thorndale  branches  of  the 
Bates  Duchess  tribe ;  the  sale  of  which  at  New  York 
Mills  in  1873  proved  the  most  sensational  event  in 
Short-horn  history. 

This  Ducie  sale  was  also  attended  by  Messrs. 
Samuel  Thorne  and  F.  M.  Rotch  of  New  York.  Mr. 
Thorne  was  in  quest  of  Short-horns  for  his  father, 
Jonathan  Thorne  of  Dutchess  County,  and  pur- 
chased Duchess  59th,  Duchess  64th  and  Duchess 
68th.  For  these  he  gave  350  guineas,  600  guineas 
and  300  guineas  respectively.  Had  it  not  been  for 
the  bidding  of  Mr.  J.   S.   Tanqueray  and  Gunter 


232  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

of  Gloucestershire  the  American  buyers  would  have 
taken  all  of  the  Duchesses.  It  was  the  competition 
between  the  Old  World  and  the  New  that  resulted 
in  such  high  prices  as  compared  with  those  made  at 
Kirklevington  three  years  previous.  The  six  head 
of  cattle  for  which  Earl  Ducie  had  paid  £955  10s. 
upon  that  occasion  brought  at  Tortworth  £2,052  15s. 
This  sale,  it  may  be  said,  fairly  marked  the  begin- 
ning of  what  is  known  this  side  of  the  Atlantic  as 
the  great  Bates  ''boom."  Duchess  55th  at  50 
guineas,  Oxford  6th  at  205  guineas,  Oxford  11th  at 
250  guineas,  Oxford  16th  at  180  guineas  and  Duchess 
69th  at  400  guineas  were  bought  by  Mr.  Tanqueray; 
Mr.  Gunter  purchasing  Duchess  67th,  by  Usurer,  at 
350  guineas,  and  Duchess  70th  at  310  guineas.  The 
Earl  of  Burlington  bought  Oxford  15th  at  200 
guineas,  and  the  Earl  of  Feversham  took  5th  Duke 
of  Oxford  (12762)  at  300  guineas.  The  4th  Duke 
of  York  (10167)  was  bought  by  Gen.  Cadwallader 
and  Mr.  Vail  of  New  York  at  500  guineas,  but  did 
not  live  to  reach  America,  his  neck  having  been 
broken  during  a  storm  at  sea. 

Thomdale  and  the  Duchesses. — Mr.  Becar  having 
died  in  1854  Col.  Morris  purchased  his  interest  in 
the  partnership  herd,  and  after  selling  quite  a  num- 
ber of  young  bulls  to  various  breeders  in  different 
States  disposed  of  the  entire  holding  to  Mr.  Samuel 
Thome  of  Thorndale  Farm,  Dutchess  Co.,  N.  Y.  Mr. 
Thome's  father,  Jonathan  Thorne  of  New  York 
City,  owned  an  extensive  farm  at  Millbrook,  which 


SECOND  PEKIOD  OF  ACTIVITY  233 

is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  family.  This  was 
in  1857.  In  the  year  1850  Mr.  Thorne  Sr.  had  sent 
an  order  to  his  son  Edwin,  who  was  then  in  Eng- 
land, for  a  Short-horn  bull.  A  pair  of  cows  had 
previously  been  purchased  from  Mr.  Vail  of  Troy. 
The  order  was  filled  by  the  purchase  and  forwarding 
of  the  bull  St.  Lawrence  (12037),  bred  by  Capt. 
Pelham.  This  bull  was  afterward  sold  to  Dr.  E. 
Warfield  and  taken  to  Kentucky  in  the  autumn  of 
1853.  In  1852  Mr.  Thorne  received  on  an  order  he 
had  given  to  Eobert  Bell  the  two  Bell-Bates  heifers 
Countess  (Craggs)  and  Forget-me-not  2d  of  BelPs 
Fletcher  family.  He  also  bought  from  Mr.  Tan- 
queray  the  young  cow  Ellen  Gwynne,  bred  by  Mr. 
Troutbeck. 

In  the  spring  of  1853  Mr.  Samuel  Thorne,  in 
company  with  Mr.  F.  M.  Rotch,  sailed  for  England 
to  purchase  Short-horns,  their  intention  being  to 
buy  the  best  that  could  be  found  without  reference 
to  cost.  They  attended  the  Ducie  sale,  at  which 
Duchesses  59th,  64th  and  68th  were  selected.  From 
Mr.  S.  E.  Bolden  they  secured'  the  Duchess  bull 
Grand  Duke  (10284),  that  had  been  purchased  by 
Mr.  Hay  of  Scotland  at  the  Kirklevington  disper- 
sion at  the  top  price  of  205  guineas,*  and  the  roan 


*Mr.  Bolden  had  bought  at  the  Bates  sale  Duchess  51st.  as  a  doubt- 
ful breeder,  at  sixty  guineas.  He  bred  her  first  to  Richard  Booth's 
Leonidas  (10414),  but  the  calf  came  dead.  Bred  to  Grand  Duke,  Duch- 
ess 51st  gave  Mr.  Bolden  the  celebrated  Grand  Duchesses  1st  and  2d, 
the  ancestresses  of  the  family  of  that  name.  In  this  connection  it  is  of 
interest  to  note  that  Grand  Duke  had  not  been  regarded  as  a  satisfactory 
sire  in  Mr  Hay's  herd  at  Shethin,  but  there  was  no  mistakmg  the  out- 
standing excellence  of  such  of  his  get  at  Mr.  Bolden's  as  the  Grand 
Duchesses,  Cherry  Duchess  1st  and  2d  Duke  of  Cambridge. 


234  A   HISTOEY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

heifer  Peri,  by  Grand  Duke.  From  Tortworth  the 
red  Gwynne  cow  Mystery,  by  Usurer,  was  obtained. 
Col.  Towneley  's  breeding  was  drawn  upon  for  Fred- 
erica  and  Lalla  Rookh.  The  red  cows  Aurora  and 
Darling  (the  latter  an  Acomb  by  Grand  Duke), 
mainly  of  Bates  blood,  completed  the  purchases  of 
cattle  brought  out  in  1853.  Duchess  64th  was  left 
in  England  until  the  following  year,  and  in  the 
meantime  dropped  to  a  service  of  4th  Duke  of  York 
the  bull  calf  2d  Grand  Duke  (12961),  which  under 
an  arrangement  previously  entered  into  became  the 
property  of  Mr.  Bolden.  This  shipment  of  1853 
had  cost  Mr.  Thorne  the  snug  sum  of  $18,000,  thus 
making  it  the  highest-priced  lot  of  Short-horns  im- 
ported to  America  up  to  that  date.  The  vessel  upon 
which  they  were  shipped  in  October  of  that  year 
had  a  tempestuous  passage.  Duchess  68th  was  killed 
outright  by  the  falling  of  a  mast  and  Peri  had 
a  hip  knocked  down,  two  ribs  broken  and  lost  one 
horn.  She  nevertheless  bred  successfully  and  gave 
rise  to  a  family  bearing  her  name  that  afterward 
commanded  long  prices. 

In  1854  Mr.  Thorne  imported  nine  females,  in- 
cluding Agnes,  Cj'press,  Cherry  and  Constantia — 
all  by  B.  Wilson's  Lord  of  Brawith  (10465)— Lady 
Millicent  (from  Fawkes),  by  Laudable;  Diana 
Gwynne,  Dinah  Gwynne  and  (from  Tanqueray's) 
the  Bates  Barrington  heifer  Lady  of  Athol.  Li  the 
fall  of  1855  the  bull  2d  Grand  Duke  (12961),  above 
mentioned,  was  bought  from  Bolden  for  $5,000  to 


SECOND  PERIOD  OF  ACTIVITY  235 

succeed  Grand  Duke  (10284).  An  accident  had  ren- 
dered the  latter  practically  useless,  but  he  was  not 
slaughtered  until  1857.  With  2d  Grand  Duke  was 
shipped  in  1855  the  Killerby-bred  Booth  bull  Nep- 
tune (11847),  by  Water  King  (11024)  out  of  Bloom 
by  Buckingham;  second  dam  the  celebrated  Haw- 
thorne Blossom.  At  the  sale  of  Sir  Chas.  Knightley 
in  1856  Mr.  Thorne  bought  the  cows  Blouzelind  and 
Mrs.  Flathers,  both  by  Earl  of  Dublin,  and  Elgitha, 
by  Balco.  This  gave  him  a  dip  into  the  most  noted 
dairy  strain  of  the  day  in  England.  From  Col. 
Towneley  he  bought  the  two  heifers  Miss  Buttercup, 
by  the  celebrated  Master  Butterfly  (13311),  and 
Buttercup  2d,  by  Horatio  (10335).  These  five  cattle 
cost  over  $5,000.  From  other  sources  he  obtained 
Darlington  6th,  Maria  Louisa  and  Dewdrop. 

In  1857  the  entire  Morris  &  Becar  herd,  consisting 
at  that  date  of  fifty-three  head,  was  purchased  for 
$35,000.  This  gave  Thorndale  a  virtual  monopoly 
of  the  Duchess  and  Oxford  blood  in  America  and 
an  investment  in  Short-horns  mounting  well  up 
toward  $100,000.  Operations  of  such  magnitude  did 
not  fail  to  create  more  or  less  of  a  sensation  in 
cattle-breeding  circles  on  both  sides  the  Atlantic. 
During  this  same  year  Mr.  Edwin  Thorne,  then  in 
England,  bought  and  sent  out  to  his  brother  Samuel 
the  bull  Grand  Turk  (12969),  bred  by  Bolden,  repre- 
senting a  cross  of  Grand  Duke  (10284)  on  the  Booth 
cow  Young  Eachel  by  Leonard  (4210).  It  thus 
appears  that  Thorndale  drew  upon  the  most  noted 


236  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

strains  of  the  breed,  besides  imparting  an  impetus 
to  the  trade  in  England  and  America  that  permeated 
the  entire  industry  and  influenced  in  marked  degree 
the  work  of  leading  breeders  at  home  and  abroad 
for  many  succeeding  years. 

Revival  of  interest  in  the  West. — It  was  a  trying 
ordeal  the  business  passed  through  in  Ohio  and 
Kentucky  in  the  ^'forties.''  Little  more  than  butch- 
ers' prices  could  be  realized.  At  the  time  the  George 
and  Jonathan  Eenick  herds  were  offered  (1844- 
1846)  not  more  than  $130  could  be  obtained  for  the 
best.  The  value  of  the  blood  had  been  fully  demon- 
strated, but  farmers  generally  were  financially 
unable  to  avail  themselves  of  it  save  at  extremely 
low  prices.  The  large  landed  proprietors,  however, 
maintained  their  herds  and  manifested  their  interest 
by  exhibiting  stock  at  the  various  local  fairs.*  By 
1850  times  had  brightened,  and  the  Ohio  State  Agri- 
cultural Society  held  its  initial  show  near  Cincinnati, 
Harness  Eenick  winning  first  prize  on  Sterling 
1004 — tracing  to  imp.  Blossom  by  Fitz-Favorite — 


*In  a  report  of  the  Ross  County  Fair  for  1849,  in  the  Ohio  Cultivator, 
it  is  said  that  "the  Durham  Short-horns  were  exhibited  in  all  their  sleek- 
ness and  beauty.  These  are,  very  justly,  the  pride  of  the  principal 
farmers  and  herdsmen  of  the  Scioto  Valley.  We  have  never  seen  better 
animals  of  this  class  than  were  exhibited  on  this  occasion  from  the 
herds  of  Geo.  Renick,  Dr.  A.  Watts,  J.  R.  Anderson,  Alexander  Renick, 
etc.  As  a  whole  it  excelled  in  quality  the  show  of  this  breed  at  either 
of  the  New  York  fairs." 

The  report  gives  the  weights  of  several  Short-horn  bullocks  on  ex- 
hibition ;  among  them  a  steer  of  Dr.  Watts,  three  years  old  in  April, 
weighed,  Oct.  5,  2,200  lbs.  ;  one,  two  years  in  February,  weiglied,  Oct.  5, 
1,730  lbs.  From  the  herd  of  George  Renick  a  bullock  of  "great  perfec- 
tion of  form,"  five  years,  weighed  2,800  lbs.  Six  others,  only  three 
years,  weighed  1,850,  1,750,  1,720,  1,680,  1.670  and  1,664  lbs.  These  cattle 
had  not  been  forced  as  is  the  modern  piactice,  having  only  good  giass 
in  summer. — Hon.  T.  C.  Jones,  in  Breeder's  Gazette,  Oct.  5,  18S2. 


SECOND  PERIOD  OF  ACTIVITY  237 

in  aged-bull  class,  and  Mr.  Poage  first  on  Lilac — a 
descendant  of  imp.  Duchess  of  Liverpool — in  aged 
cows.  The  modern  system  of  training  for  show  had 
not  at  that  date  come  into  vogue.  It  should  be 
mentioned  before  proceeding  further  that  shortly 
after  the  settlement  of  Walter  Dun's  estate,  in  Ken- 
tucky, his  sons  John  G.,  James,  Walter  A.  and  Robert 
G.  located  upon  their  father's  extensive  estates  in 
Madison  Co.,  0.,  taking  with  them  a  lot  of  good 
Short-horns  descended  from  their  father's  importa- 
tion already  mentioned.  The  bull  Comet  (1854) 
was  used  by  the  Messrs.  Dun  in  Ohio  as  late  as 
1845  and  was  an  excellent  getter. 

With  the  return  of  better  times  the  Ohio  breeders 
manifested  renewed  interest  in  their  herds.  In  1852 
trade  had  revived  to  such  an  extent  that  it  was 
determined  to  make  a  fresh  importation  from  Eng- 
land. Eighteen  years  had  elapsed  since  the  first 
purchase  by  the  old  Ohio  Co.,  and  breeders  were 
anxious  to  ascertain  as  to  what  progress  had  been 
made  in  the  improvement  of  the  breed  in  England 
during  that  period.  The  project  took  definite  form 
by  the  organization  of  the 

Scioto  Valley  Importing  Co. — The  veteran  Dr.  Ar- 
thur Watts  and  Mr.  George  W.  Renick,  son  of  Felix 
Renick,  were  appointed  agents,  and  the  result  of 
their  journey  was  the  purchase  and  importation  of 
ten  bulls  and  seven  females  that  were  sold  at  auction 
at  the  farm  of  Dr.  Watts,  near  Chillicothe.  Stock- 
holders had  the  privilege  of  bidding  and  took  most 


238  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN-    CATTLE 

of  the  cattle  at  high  prices.    The  sale  list,  with  some 
particulars,  follows : 

BULLS. 

Nobleman  (13392),  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  J.  Wood;  a 
bull  of  marked  excellence — Hon.  John  I.  Vanmeter, 
Pike    County    $2,510 

Count  Fathom  (11316),  roan  yearling,  bred  by  F.  H. 
Fawkes;  got  by  Lord  Marquis  (10459);  proved  a  very 
successful  sire — N.   Perrill,   Clinton  County 2,075 

Master  Belleville  (11795),  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  J.  M. 
Hopper;  sired  by  the  show  bull  Belleville  (6778)  and 
described  as  "a  grand,  rangy  bull  and  the  sire  of  a 
large  number  of  fine  Short-horns,  including  Billy  Har- 
rison 263,  the  prize  bull  Master  Miller,  etc." — Messrs. 
Renick  and  Maypool   2,005 

Lord  Nelson  664,  red-roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  R.  Thorn- 
ton— John   L.    Meyers,    Fayette    County 1,825 

Gamboy  (11503),  red-and-white,  bred  by  F.  H.  Fawkes; 
tracing  to  the  Booth  cow  Isabella  by  Pilot — M.  L.  Sulli- 
vant,   Columbus    1,400 

Rising  Sun  5130,  roan  bull  calf,  bred  by  Mr.  Wetherell — 

Isaac    Cunningham,    Scioto   County 1,300 

Alderman  (9882),  roan  three-year-old,  bred  by  R.  C.  Lown- 
des; afterward  became  the  property  of  Jacob  Pierce 
and  used  for  some  years  in  his  fine  herd — Hon.  Alex. 
Waddle,   Clark   County 1,150 

Isaac  589,  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  A.  Thornton;  a  low, 
compact  bull  of  fine  quality,  a  good  feeder  and  capital 
sire;  second-prize  bull  at  the  Ohio  State  Fair,  1854 — 
Messrs.  Gregg  and  J.  O'B.  Renick,  Pickaway  County..      600 

Young  Whittington  1165,  roan  yearling;  afterward  owned 
by  Messrs.  Brown  of  Sangamon  Co.,  111. — Arthur 
Watts,    Chillicothe    450 

cows     AXD    HEIFERS. 

Mary,  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  J.  Emerson;   by  Lord  of 

the  Manor    (10466)— Hon.   A.   Waddle    $1,650 

Sunrise,  red,  by  Twilight   (9758) — Hon.  John  I.  Vanmeter. 

Pike    County 1,230 


SECOND   PERIOD   OF   ACTIVITY  239 

Blue  B6nnet,  roar  two-year-old,  by  Earl  of  Antrim  (10174) ; 
a  large,  stylish  cow  of  superior  quality  and  a  great 
milker;  dam  of  prize  bulls  Master  Miller  693,  Winfield 
1107  and  a  valuable  progeny  of  females — R  W.  Ren- 
ick,   Pickaway  County    $1,225 

Moss  Rose,  roan  six-year-old,  bred  by  J.  W.  Parrington; 
sired  by  Ravensworth  (9487);  afterward  became  the 
property  of  Jacob  Pierce,  in  whose  hands  she  dropped 
the  show  cow  Mattie  by  Nobleman  (13392)— Hon.  Alex. 
Waddle,  Clark  County    1,200 

Raspberry,  roan  two-year-old,  sired  by  Banker  (11136);  a 
fine  cow  that  in  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Gregg  and  J.  O'B. 
Renick  was  champion  female  at  the  Ohio  State  Fair,  at 
Newark,  in  1854,  afterward  becoming  the  property  of 
James  M.  Trimble,  in  whose  hands  she  produced,  among 
other  good  things,  the  cow  Maggie  Trimble,  dam  of 
Airdrie  2d  11267,  used  in  the  prize  herd  of  J.  R.  An- 
derson, Ross  County— George  W.  Gregg,  Pickaway 
County 1,110 

Strawberry,  roan  cow,  bred  by  R.  Thornton;  sired  by  Post 

Master   (9487)— George  W.  Renick,  Ross  County I,i00 

Enchantress,  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  Mr.  Thornton; 
grew  into  a  cow  of  superior  quality  and  produced  the 
fine  bull  Noble  753 — Harness  Renick,  Pickaway  County      900 

9  bulls*    sold    for $13,315;  an  average  of $1,479.45 

7  females  sold  for 8,315;  an  average  of 1,187.85 

16  animals    sold    for 21,630;  an  average  of 1,351.85 

The  prices  which  the  stockhoklers  were  willing  to 
pay  for  these  cattle  inspired  fresh  confidence  on 
both  sides  of  the  river,  and  in  the  following  year 
several  other  importing  companies  were  organized. 

Madison  Co.   (0.)  Co.— In  1853  the  Madison  Co. 


*The  red-roan  bull  Adam  (12338),  bred  by  J.  Clark,  of  this  impor- 
tation was  out  of  condition  and  not  sold.  He  became  the  property  of 
M.  L.  Sullivant  and  was  noted  for  his  wonderful  coat  of  hair.  Mr.  Har- 
ness Renick's  prize  heifer  Agatha,  of  the  Blossom  tribe,  was  one  of  his 
get. 


240  A  HTSTOEY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

(0.)  Importing  Co.  was  formed.  Messrs.  Charles 
Pliellis,  B.  B.  Browning  and  Mr.  Farrar  were  ap- 
pointed agents  and  selected  from  the  English  herds 
fifteen  bulls  and  nine  cows,  which,  after  the  usual 
plan  of  these  companies,  were  sold  at  auction.  The 
event  occurred  Sept.  27  at  London,  Madison  County, 
the  result,  together  with  a  few  notes  upon  the  more 
noted  animals,  being  as  indicated  below.  From  this 
it  will  appear  that  prices  now  mounted  to  a  still 
higher  range  than  had  yet  been  attained : 

BULLS. 

Starlight  (12146),  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  R.  Lawson; 
sired  by  Lansdowne  (9277),  dam  Beauty  by  Mussul- 
man (4524).  This  bull  was  kept  upon  the  farm  of 
James  Fullington,  in  Union  County,  for  many  years 
and  was  one  of  the  best  sires  ever  used  in  the  State. 
Though  a  first-prize  bull  at  the  State  Fair  of  1854, 
Starlight  was  not  a  first-class  show  bull.  His  strong, 
masculine  front,  with  broad  and  massive  brisket,  were 
quite  imposing,  and  the  length  of  his  fore  ribs  gave  a 
chest  of  unusual  capacity.  He  had  a  good  back  and 
loin,  but  his  quarters  were  a  little  short.  He  was  a 
bull  of  unusual  vigor  of  constitution  and  required  to 
be  carefully  handled.  Among  his  get  that  acquired  dis- 
tinction in  show-yards  were  the  champion  bulls  Star- 
light 2d  2559,  Buckeye  Starlight  3718  and  General 
Grant  4825— Charles  Phellis,  Madison  County $3,000 

Marquis  (11787),  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  R.  Thornton; 
sired  by  Whittington  (12299);  a  fine,  compactly-fash- 
ioned bull  of  extra  quality,  extensively  used  on  the  fine 
herds  then  owned  in  the  region  known  locally  as  the 
"Darby  Plains" — James  Fullington  (Union  County) 
and   others    3,000 

Sheffielder  (13693),  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  Mr.  Hall; 
sired  by  His  Grace  (10323)— J.  W.  Robinson,  Madison 
County    1,800 


SECOND  PERIob  OF  ACTIVITY  241 

Mario  (11779),  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  J.  S.  Tanqueray; 
sired  by  Horatio  (10335)  out  of  the  Gwynne  cow  Mel- 
ody by  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax;  a  fine,  large  bull,  with 
wonderful  depth  of  chest  and  of  a  remarkably  quiet 
disposition;  his  get  were  uniformly  good;  afterward 
property  of  David  Watson — Robert  Reed,  Madison 
County    $1,550 

Colonel  (12614),  red-and-white  roan  yearling,  bred  by  R. 
Lawson;  proved  a  good  breeder;  gained  first  prize  as 
bull  with  five  of  his  get  at  Ohio  State  Fair,  1860; 
progeny  frequently  shown  with  success — Messrs.  Dun.   1,350 

Farmer  Boy  (11464),  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  R.  Thorn- 
ton— Joseph  Reyburn,   Madison  County 925 

Thornberry  (12222),  white  two-year-old,  bred  by  Richard 
Booth,  Warlaby;  sired  by  Hopewell  (10332),  dam 
Hawthorne  Blossom  by  Leonard;  sold  in  bad  condi- 
tion; "off"  on  his  feet  and  thin  in  flesh;  low  and  level, 
with  wonderful  spring  of  rib,  splendid  quarters  and 
real  Warlaby  chest  and  shoulders;  one  of  the  best 
feeders  ever  known  in  Scioto  Valley;  imparted  his  rare 
feeding  qualities  with  great  uniformity  to  his  get — 
Messrs.  Harness  and  Felix  W.  Renick,  Pickaway 
County    875 

Beau    Clerc    (11160),    roan    two-year-old,    bred    by    F.    H. 

Fawkes — D.  M.  Creighton,  Madison  County 750 

Symmetry  (12167),  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  J.  Knowles, 
sired  by  Phosphorus  9477 — Messrs.  Dun,  Madison 
County     1,150 

Sportsman,  roan  bull  calf — James  Foster,  Madison  County     700 

Duke   of  Liverpool,   roan  bull   calf — George   G.   McDonald, 

Madison  County    555 

Splendor    9971^,    roan    yearling — F.    A.    Yocum,    Madison 

County    500 

Prince  Edward  864,  roan  yearling — M.  B.  Wright,  Fayette 

County     475 

Rocket  9211A,  white  yearling — David  Watson,  Union  County      425 

Prince  Albert  3284,  roan  yearling — J.  F.  Chenoweth,  Madi- 
son  County    300 


242  A    HISTORY    OF    SIIOKT-IIORN'    CATTLE 

COWS    AND    HEIFERS. 

Stapleton  Lass,  red-and- white  roan  three-year-old,  bred  by 
R.  Thornton,  sired  by  Sailor  (9592);  afterward  prop- 
erty of  James  Fullington,  in  whose  hands  she  proved  a 
capital  breeder  and  great  milker;  she  was  dam  of  Da- 
vid Watson's  Fancy,  that  produced  the  great  champion 
show  cow  Jessie,  by  Starlight  2d;  she  was  also  dam  of 
the  prize  bull  Buckeye  Starlight  3718 — Jesse  Watson, 
Madison   County    $1,350 

Picotee,  roan  six-year-old;    sired  by  Robin  Hood    (8492)  — 

Jesse   Watson,    Madison   County    1,275 

Miss   Hilton,   roan   two-year-old,   bred  by   T.   Raine — David 

Watson     875 

Princess,  roan  three-year-old,  bred  by  W.  Raine — William 

Watson,   Clark  County    690 

Blossom,  roan  yearling,  bred  by  R.  Thornton — David  Wat- 
son           650 

Victoria,  roan  three-year-old,  bred  by  W.  Raine;  after- 
ward property  of  James  Fullington — J.  Q.  Winchell, 
Madison    County     600 

Alexandria,  white  yearling,  bred  by  T.  Raine — David  Wat- 
son          560 

Yorkshire    Dairy    Cow    (not    pedigreed) — Joseph    Negley, 

Clark    County    425 

Monsoon   (not  pedigreed),  dam  Yorkshire  Dairy  Cow — Jos. 

Reyburn,   Madison   County    295 

15  bulls   sold   for $17,355;  an  average  of $1,157 

9  females    sold    fer 6,720;  an  average  of 747 

24  animals    sold    for 24,075;  an  average  of 1,003 

Northern  Kentucky  Association. — In  1853  an  asso- 
ciation of  Kentucky  breeders  under  this  title 
commissioned  Messrs.  Solomon  Vanmeter,  Nelson 
Dudley  and  Charles  T.  Garrard  to  proceed  to  Eng- 
land for  the  purchase  of  cattle.  Fifteen  cows  and 
ten  bulls  were  selected  and  imported  in  July  of  that 
year,  which  were  sold  at  auction  soon  after  their 


SECOND   PERIOD  OF   ACTIVITY  243 

arrival    at    the    farm    of    B.    J.    Clay,  in  Bourbon 
County,  at  the  extraordinary  prices  noted  below: 

BULLS. 

Diamond  (11357),  roan  three-year-old,  bred  by  Earl  Fever- 
sham— B.  J.  Clay,  H.  Clay  Jr.,  George  M.  Bedford  and 
J.    Duncan,    Bourbon   County $6,000 

Challenger  (14252),  roan  yearling,  bred  by  Earl  Ducie; 
sired  by  4th  Duke  of  York  (10167);  dam  Chaplet  by 
Usurer  (9763),  running  to  Magdalena  by  Comet — Isaac 
and  Solomon  Vanmeter  and  T.  L.  Cunningham,  Clark 
County    4,850 

Orontes  2d  (11877),  red  two-year-old,  bred  by  Earl  of  Bur- 
lington; out  of  imp.  Goodness,  of  Mason  blood — R.  A. 
Alexander,  Woodford  County 4,550 

Young  Chilton  (11278),  white  three-year-old,  bred  by  J.  Em- 
erson; sired  by  Chilton  (10054) — Dr.  R.  J.  Breckenridge 
and  Messrs.  B.  &  W.  Warfield,  Fayette  County 3,005 

Fortunatus  1564,  roan  bull  calf,  bred  by  F.  H.  Fawkes;  sired 
by  Lord  Marquis  (10459) ;  dam  Fairy  Tale  by  Sir  Thos. 
Fairfax — Messrs.  Vanmeter,  Fayette  County 2,500 

The  Count  (12191),  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  H.  Ambler; 

sired  by  3d  Duke  of  York  (9047)— S.  Goff,  Clark  County  2,500 

Senator  2d  (13687),  white  yearling,  bred  by  H.  Ambler;  sired 
by  Senator  (8548);  dam  Fair  Frances  by  Sir  Thomas 
Fairfax   (5196)— Allen  &  Curd,  Fayette  County 2,000 

Belleville  3d  (14150),  roan  yearling,  bred  by  Mason  Hopper; 

sired  by  Belleville  (6778)— G.  W.  Sutton,  Fayette  County  1,500 

Fusileer  (11499),  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  T.  Bell;   sired 

by  Grand  Duke  (10284)— R.  W.  Scott,  Franklin  County. .   1,400 

Yorkshire  Maynard  (14043),  roan  yearling,  bred  by  A.  L. 
Maynard;  sired  by  Lord  George  (10443) — Robert  S. 
Taylor,  Clark  County 1,000 

cows    AND    HEIFERS. 

Mazurka,  red-roan  yearling,  bred  by  W.  Smith,  sired  by  the 
Booth  bull  Harbinger  (10297),  in  calf  to  Orontes  2d— R. 
A.   Alexander,   Woodford   County $3,050 

Maid   of   Melrose,   roan   yearling,   bred   by   F.   H.   Fawkes, 

sired  by  Lord  Marquis   (10459)— R.  A.  Alexander 2,200 


244  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN^   CATTLE 

Goodness,  red,  calved  in  1847;  bred  by  Mr,  Hall,  legatee  of 

Earl  Spencer;  sired  by  Orontes  (4623)— G.  W.  Sutton. $2,025 
Lady  Caroline,  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  Mr.   Spearman, 

sired  by  Newtonian  (14991)— B.  J.  Clay,  Bourbon  County  1,825 
Lady  Stanhope,  roan,  calved  in  1847,  bred  by  A.  L.  Maynard, 

sired  by  Earl   Stanhope    (5966)— B.   J.   Clay,   Bourbon 

County    1,500 

Lady  Fairy,  red,   calved   in   1848,   bred  by  F.   H.   Fawkes, 

sired  by  Laudable   (9282)   out  of  Fairy  Tale,  the  dam 

of   imp.   Fortunatus — Dr.   Breckenridge   and   B.    &   W. 

Warfield,   Fayette   County 1,100 

Orphan  Nell,  roan  yearling,  bred  by  J.  S.  Tanqueray,  sired 

by  Ruby    (10760);    dam  of  the  Gwynne  family— J.  A. 

Gano,  Bourbon  County 1,000 

Equity,  red  yearling,  bred  by  John  Booth,   sired  by  Lord 

George  (10439)— R.  A.  Alexander,  Woodford  County...  1,000 
Roan  Duchess,  roan  three-year-old,  bred  by  Mr.  Wetherell, 

sired  by  Whittington    (12299)— W.  H.  Brand,  Fayette 

County  900 

Duchess  of  Sutherland,  red  two-year-old,  bred  by  H.  Ambler, 

sired  by  Captain  Edwards    (8929) — W.  H.  Brand 900 

Gem,  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  H.  Ambler,  sired  by  Broker 

(9993);    dam    the    Booth    cow    Gulnar    (bred    by    Mr. 

Fawkes)    by  Norfolk    (2377)— S.  Vanmeter  and  T.   L. 

Cunningham    825 

Flattery,  white  yearling,  bred  by  Earl  Ducie,  sired  by  4th 

Duke  of  York  (10167)— W.  R.  Duncan,  Clark  County. . .  815 
Necklace,  roan  yearling,  bred  by  Col.  Towneley,  sired  by 

Duke  of  Athol  (10150)— Henry  Clay  Jr.,  Bourbon  County  805 
Bracelet,  roan  twin-sister  to  Necklace  above — M.  M.  Clay, 

Bourbon   County    750 

Muffin,  roan  yearling,  bred  by  Earl  Ducie,  sired  by  Usurer 

(9763)— W.  A.  Smith,  Scott  County 535 

10  bulls  sold  for $29,305;   an  average  of $2,930.50 

15  females  sold  for 19,230;   an  average  of 1,282.00 

25  animals  sold  for 48,535;   an  average  of 1,941.40 

The  ten  bulls  cost  in  England  about  $5,570  and 
fetched   nearly  $30,000.     The   females   cost   about 


SECOND   PERIOD  OF   ACTIVITY  2^15 

$5,920  on  the  other  side  and  brought  nearly  $20,000. 
The  cattle  were  well  chosen,  fell  for  the  most  part 
into  good  hands  and  were  important  factors  in 
subsequent  Kentucky  Shorn-horn  history.  The 
]iigh-priced  bull  Diamond  proved  impotent.  Young 
Chilton,  Challenger  and  Orontes  2d  were,  in  the 
order  named,  remarkable  stock-getters.  It  is  worthy 
of  note  in  this  connection  with  Young  Chilton 's  sire, 
Chilton  (10054),  was  a  white  bull  got  by  the  ''never- 
beaten''  show  bull  Belleville  (6778)  out  of  one  of 
that  bull's  own  daughters.  Belleville  (see  foot-note 
page  104)  was  the  bull  that  Mr.  Bates  so  persistently 
decried.  As  one  of  the  best  sires  ever  used  in 
Kentucky  carried  a  double  cross  of  the  Belleville 
blood,  the  infallibility  of  Mr.  Bates'  judgment  is 
not  in  this  case  apparent.  In  point  of  individual 
merit  Young  Chilton  also  headed  this  remarkable 
list  of  bulls,  Orontes  2d  standing  second  and  Chal- 
lenger third.  As  a  sire,  however,  the  latter,  in  the 
hands  of  Messrs.  Vanmeter,  surpassed  the  work  of 
Orontes  2d  at  Woodburn.  Senator  2d,  Fortunatus 
and  Yorkshire  Maynard  produced  no  extraordinary 
stock.  Of  the  cows  of  this  memorable  importation 
it  is  only  necessary  to  say  that  the  descendants  of 
Goodness  in  the  hands  of  George  M.  Bedford,  of 
Mazurka  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Alexander,  of  Gem  in 
the  herd  of  William  Warfield,  of  Roan  Duchess  and 
Orphan  Nell  in  many  different  herds,  and  of  Lady 
Caroline  at  C.  M.  Clay's,  demonstrated  the  fact  that 
the  original  selections  were  made  with  rare  judg- 


246  A  HISTORY   OF    SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

ment  and  that  their  progeny  was  handled  with 
uncommon  skill. 

Scott  Co.  (Ky.)  Importing  Co.— Near  the  close  of 
the  year  1853  a  company  was  organized  in  Scott 
Co.,  Ky.,  and  Messrs.  W.  Crockett  and  James  Bagg, 
as  agents,  proceeded  to  England  and  purchased 
seven  females  and  five  bulls,  which  were  sold  at 
auction  Jan.  10,  1854,  at  the  farm  of  Mr.  M.  B. 
Webb.  Included  in  this  lot  were  the  bulls  Baron 
Feversham  13414,  a  roan  two-year-old  bought  at 
the  sale  of  C.  Estill  of  Madison  County  at  the  top 
price  of  $1,525;  the  bull  Pathfinder  805,  a  roan 
yearling,  taken  by  Messrs.  Webb  &  Ford  of  Scott 
County  at  $860,  and  the  cows  Venus  by  Fair  Eclipse 
(11456),  sold  to  J.  Hill  of  Bourbon  County  at  $710, 
and  Carnation  by  Budget  22265,  bought  by  C.  W. 
Innes,  Fayette  County,  at  $610.  The  entire  lot 
brought  $7,535,  making  the  fairly  satisfactory  aver- 
age of  $685. 

In  1854  the  same  parties  who  had  been  interested 
in  the  Scott  County  Co.  organized  again  under  the 
name  of  the  Kentucky  Importing  Co.  and  sent 
Messrs.  Wesley  Warnock  and  James  Bagg  to  Eng- 
land for  a  second  lot  of  cattle.  They  purchased  six 
bulls  and  fifteen  cows  and  heifers  that  were  placed 
upon  the  farm  of  C.  W.  Innes,  near  Lexington,  and 
in  October,  1854,  five  of  the  bulls  and  fourteen  of 
the  females  were  sold  at  auction,  the  former 
averaging  $994  and  the  latter  $390.  This  sale  was 
memorable  from  the  fact  that  Mr.  E.  A.  Alexander, 


SECOXD   PERIOD   OF   ACTIVITY  247 

whose  extensive  operations  are  shortly  to  be  noticed, 
paid  $3,500  for  the  roan  two-year-old  bull  Sirius 
(13737),  bred  by  E.  Ackroyd;  sired  by  Concord 
(11302)  out  of  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Fawkes'  Fairy 
Tale,  that  was  also  the  dam  of  Fortunatus  1564. 
The  next  highest-priced  bull  was  the  roan  yearling 
MacGregor  675 — also  of  Fawkes'  breeding — that 
was  taken  by  John  Hill  at  $600.  The  top  price  for 
cows  was  $650,  paid  by  Mr.  R.  A.  Alexander  for  the 
roan  two-year-old  Bessie  Howard,  and  $600  paid  by 
the  same  buyer  for  Lizzie,  by  Marquis  of  Carrabas 
(11789),  both  bred  by  Mr.  Fawkes.  From  the  cow 
Matilda,  by  Villiers  (13959)— sold  to  S.  Corbin  of 
Bourbon  County  for  $205 — descended  the  celebrated 
show  heifer  Fannie  Forrester. 

Clinton  Co.  (0.)  Association. — An  organization 
formed  in  Clinton  Co.,  0.,  in  1854  sent  as  its  agents 
Messrs.  H.  H.  Hankins,  J.  G.  Coulter  and  A.  R. 
Seymour,  who  bought  and  imported  seventeen  cows 
and  heifers  and  ten  bulls,  that  were  sold  Aug.  9  of 
that  year  at  AVilmington,  Clinton  County,  at  an 
average  of  $1,037  for  the  bulls  and  $649  for  the 
females.  The  top  price  for  females  was  $1,675, 
paid  by  M.  B.  Wright  and  William  Palmer,  Fayette 
Co.,  0.,  for  the  roan  cow  Duchess,  by  Norfolk 
(9442).  The  roan  cow  Princess,  by  Lord  Newton, 
was  taken  by  Hadley  &  Hankins  of  Clinton  County 
at  $1,060;  the  white  cow  Hope,  by  Duke  of  York 
(6947),  fell  to  the  bidding  of  William  Palmer  at 
$1,000,  and  the  roan  Victoria,  sold  without  pedigree, 


248  A  HISTORY  OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

brought  from  Mr.  Peringer  a  like  sum.  Of  this 
importation  also  was  the  cow  Lady  Jane,  by  Whit- 
tington,  a  red  of  Wetherell's  breeding,  bought  by 
David  Watson,  Madison  County,  for  $500.  She  left 
numerous  descendants.  Another  cow  to  which  some 
of  our  American  pedigrees  trace  was  also  in  this 
shipment — Miss  Shaftoe,  a  red  by  Captain  Shaftoe 
(6833),  bred  by  W.  Smith,  purchased  at  this  sale  by 
Jesse  Starbuck  at  $650.  -  We  should  also  mention 
Louisa,  a  roan  by  Crusader,  taken  by  J.  R.  Mills, 
Clinton  County,  at  $300.  The  bull  Wellington 
(13989),  a  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  R.  Lawson, 
commanded  the  great  price  of  $3,700  from  Messrs. 
Coulter,  Hankins  and  others.  The  white  two-year- 
old  bull  Billy  Harrison  263,  out  of  the  $1,675 
Duchess  by  Norfolk,  was  taken  by  Jesse  Starbuck 
of  Clinton  County  at  $1,500.  The  four-year-old 
roan  Warrior  (12287),  bred  by  Richard  Booth, 
sired  by  Water  King  (11034)  out  of  Bagatelle  by 
Buckingham,  went  to  B.  Hinkson  and  H.  H.  Hankins 
at  $1,200. 

Clark  Co.  (0.)  Co. — The  last  of  the  importing 
companies  organized  in  the  State  of  Ohio  was 
formed  in  Clark  County  in  1854.  Dr.  Arthur  Watts 
of  Chillicothe  and  Alexander  Waddle  of  South 
Charleston  were  sent  abroad  to  make  the  selection 
and  purchased  twenty  cows  and  heifers  and  nine 
bulls  that  were  divided  by  auction  sale  Sept.  6,  1854. 
This  importation  included  some  very  valuable  cat- 
tle,  some  of  the   most  noted   of  which   are  listed 


SECOND  PERIOD   OF  ACTIVITY  249 

herewith,  together  with  a  few  facts  of  historic  in- 
terest : 

New  Year's  Day  (13383),  sold  at  this  sale  as  a  roan  yearling, 
was  bred  by  Lee  Norman  and  sired  by  Magnet  (11765)  out  of 
Moss  Rose  by  Killerby  (7122).  He  was  bought  by  C.  M.  Clark  of 
Clark  County  for  $3,500.  Before  importation  he  won  a  first  prize 
at  the  Royal  Dublin  Show  of  1853.  He  was  extensively  exhibited 
throughout  the  West,  and  was  doubtless  the  best  show  bull  of  his 
day.  His  first  appearance  was  at  the  United  States  Cattle  Show 
held  at  Springfield,  0.,  in  the  fall  of  1854.  This  was  a  great  event 
and  the  scene  of  a  memorable  contest  between  Kentucky  and 
Ohio  bred  Short-horns.  The  big  light  roan  Kentucky  show  bull 
Perfection  810,  belonging  to  the  Louan  family;  Mr.  Bedford's 
famous  Laura  and  Abram  Renick's  Rose  of  Sharon  cow  Duchess, 
by  Buena  Vista,  were  among  the  "cracks"  present  from  south  of 
the  river,  but  imp.  Duchess,  by  Norfolk,  gained  for  Ohio  premier 
honors  among  the  cows  shown.  The  Kentuckians  were  fairly  cap- 
tivated by  the  young  imp.  New  Year's  Day,  and  after  a  consulta- 
tion in  which  Abram  Renick  participated  they  made  an  earnest 
effort  to  buy  him  at  a  considerable  advance,  but  without  success. 
New  Year's  Day  won  at  all  the  leading  shows,  and  when  quite  ad- 
vanced in  years  was  taken  West  and  won  prizes  at  exhibitions 
held  at  St.  Louis  and  Chicago.  While  he  did  not  have  any  special 
opportunities  as  a  sire  he  begot,  among  other  choice  cattle,  the 
famous  Lady  of  Clark  out  of  the  Miss  Wiley  cow  Anna  Hunt,  that 
Mr.  Clark  had  bought  in  Kentucky.  Lady  of  Clark  was  afterward 
sold  to  go  to  Illinois.  Flora  Belle,  bred  by  R.  G.  Corwin  from  imp. 
Scottish  Bluebell,  was  another  daughter  of  New  Year's  Day  that 
acquired  celebrity  in  the  show-ring. 

Medalist  (13324),  a  white  yearling  bull,  was,  we  believe,  the  first 
representative  of  William  Torr's  breeding  brought  to  America. 
He  was  sired  by  Mr.  Booth's  celebrated  Crown  Prince  (10087), 
and  was  a  bull  of  fine  substance  and  extraordinary  spring  of  rib, 
deeply  covered  with  flesh.  He  was  purchased  at  the  sale  by  Dr. 
Watts  for  $2,100  and  afterward  sold  to  Harness  Renick.  Some  of 
the  noted  show  animals  exhibited  by  Mr.  Anderson  belonging  to 
his  Matilda  and  Rose  of  Sharon  families  carried  a  Medalist  cross. 

Czar  395,  a  roan  yearling  got  by  Baron  Warlaby   (7813),  was 


250  A  HISTOBY   OF   SIIOET-HORN    CATTLE 

taken  by  A.  J.  Paige  of  Clark  County  at  $1,900.  He  was  not  a 
large  bull,  but  showed  the  fleshy  character  of  his  Booth  ancestors 
and  left  much  good  stock,  including  the  beautiful  heifers  Darling, 
out  of  imp.  Dahlia,  and  Delightful,  from  imp.  Aylesby  Lady. 

Buckingham  2d  297— also  of  the  Booth  blood— brought  $1,000. 
He  was  bought  by  William  D.  Pierce  of  Clark  County,  and  al- 
though highly  esteemed  for  his  individual  merit  was  not  given 
much  chance  as  a  stock  bull  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Pierce,  who  was 
a  very  poor  keeper. 

The  top  price  among  the  females  of  this  importation  was 
$1,425,  made  by  the  roan  Torr-Booth  cow  Aylesby  Lady,  by  Baron 
Warlaby  (7813).  She  was  bought  by  A.  J.  Paige  and  was  easily 
one  of  the  best  cows  of  her  time  in  this  country.  She  was  ex- 
ceptionally broad,  deep  and  compact,  carried  a  great  wealth  of 
flesh,  was  neat  in  her  bone  and  a  capital  milker.  She  was  shown 
with  success  at  the  Ohio  fairs  and  produced  several  good  calves, 
including  Delightful  already   mentioned. 

Roman  13th,  a  roan  cow  bred  by  Mr.  Wilkinson  and  sired  by 
Will  Honeycomb  (5660),  possessed  great  scale  and  commanded  the 
next  highest  price — $1,300 — from  Jacob  Pierce.  She  produced  the 
bull  Champion,  by  New  Year's  Day,  that  won  sweepstakes  at  the 
Ohio  State  Fair  of  1858  as  best  bull  of  any  age  or  breed,  being  at 
that  time  only  eighteen  months  old. 

Easter  Day,  a  roan  yearling  heifer  bred  by  Mr.  Fawkes  and 
sired  by  Lord  Marquis  (10459),  was  a  low,  thick-set,  squarely- 
built  cow  that  was  also  very  successful  at  the  shows,  but  not  a 
good  milker.    She  was  bought  at  the  sale  by  C.  M.  Clark  at  $1,125. 

Dahlia,  a  red  cow  by  Upstart  (9760),  was  taken  by  A.  J.  Paige 
of  Clark  County  at  $1,100. 

Zealous,  a  roan  cow  bred  by  Mr.  Wilkinson  belonging  to  a 
Mason  family,  went  to  Alexander  Waddle  at  $1,000.  In  symmetry 
of  form,  quality  of  hide,  hair  and  flesh  this  cow  was  extraordi- 
nary. She  had  an  abundance  of  long,  soft  hair,  possessed  great 
refinement  of  character  and  was  an  excellent  dairy  cow.  She  was 
one  of  several  head  bought  by  the  agents  of  the  company  at  a 
public  sale  made  by  Mr.  Wilkinson,  this  being  the  first  selection 
made  from  that  fine  old  herd  for  America. 

Lavender  3d  and  Lancaster  17th— heifers  from  Mr.  Wilkinson's 
—are  of  special  interest  in  this  connection  on  account  of  the  fact 


SECOND   PEKIOD   OF   ACTIVITY  251 

that  they  were  the  earliest  representatives  in  America  of  a  family 
which  afterwards  acquired  celebrity  in  the  hands  of  Amos  Cruick- 
shank,  and  through  the  exhibition  in  the  West  of  imp.  Baron 
Booth  of  Lancaster.  Lavender  3d  was  considered  a  very  valu- 
able heifer  and  was  bought  at  this  sale  by  Dr.  Watts,  for  $600, 
and  was  afterward  sold  to  Walter  A.  Dun  of  Madison  County. 
Lancaster  17th  was  sold  to  W.  D.  Pierce  at  $900. 

The  nine  bulls  sold  for  $10,700,  an  average  of 
$1,188.88,  and  the  twenty  females  for  $13,215;  an 
average  of  $660.75. 

From  a  consideration  of  the  results  obtained  in 
Ohio,  Kentucky  and  other  Western  States  by  the 
use  of  the  blood  introduced  by  the  various  Ohio 
companies,  it  must  be  conceded  that  America  owes 
a  lasting  debt  of  gratitude  to  the  enterprising  men 
who  in  these  early  days,  actuated  largely  by  a  pure 
desire  to  benefit  the  agricultural  community,  trans- 
ferred at  great  cost  to  themselves  so  many  valuable 
Short-horns  from  Great  Britain  to  the  "West. 

R.  A.  AlexaJider  of  Woodbum. — No  name  in  Amer- 
ican Short-horn  history  is  more  revered  than  that 
of  Robert  Aitcheson  Alexander.  Manifesting  a 
deep  interest  in  cattle-breeding,  contemporaneous 
with  Mr.  Thorne  of  New  York,  Mr.  Alexander's 
operations  were  on  a  still  more  extensive  scale  than 
those  at  Thorndale,  already  noted.  Moreover  they 
had  the  additional  advantage  of  being  carried  on  in 
a  community  that  appreciated  to  the  utmost  the 
extraordinary  opportunities  offered  by  the  estab- 
lishment of  such  a  herd.  As  the  proprietor  of  the 
princely  estate  of  Woodburn,  Woodford  Co.,  Ky. — 


252  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOKT-IIORX    CATTLE 

a  short  distance  west  of  Lexington,  tlie  "blue-grass" 
capital — Mr.  Alexander,  with  characteristic  Scottish 
thrift,  had  brought  his  magnificent  farm  into  a  ]iigh 
state  of  fertility.  Stone  walls  and  stone  stabling- 
gave  an  air  of  solidity  to  the  surroundings.  The 
far-famed  Lothians  of  his  native  land  afforded  no 
rural  scenes  so  fair  as  those  presented  by  the  wood- 
land pastures  of  this  ' '  old  Kentucky  home. ' '  Naught 
was  wanting  to  add  grace  and  value  to  the  great 
estate  but  worthy  tenants  for  its  luxurious  fields. 

During  the  winter  of  1852-53  Mr.  Alexander  and 
his  brother,  A.  J.,  visited  Great  Britain.  The  now 
rapidly  reviving  interest  in  cattle-breeding  in  Amer- 
ica had  not  escaped  his  notice,  and  it  was  determined 
upon  the  occasion  of  this  visit  to  the  motherland  to 
lay  the  foundation  for  a  great  herd  of  Short-horns 
at  Woodburn.*  In  the  selection  of  the  stock,  aggre- 
gating about  sixty-eight  head  of  cows  and  heifers 
and  some  fifteen  head  of  bulls,  Mr.  Alexander  early 
gave  evidence  of  his  intention  to  give  American 
cattle-breeders  the  benefit  of  a  wide  range  of  choice 
as  between  the  different  noted  strains  of  blood  then 
prominent  in  Great  Britain.  This  phase  of  Mr. 
Alexander's  character  has  been  well  commented 
upon  by  Mr.  Warfield  in  the  following  language : 

"No  importations  ever  made  to  America  have  been  of  more 
value  to  this  county  than  those  of  Mr.  Alexander,  and  perhaps  no 

♦Woodburn  Farm  afterward  became  quite  as  noted  for  its  rare  col- 
lection of  Thoroughbred  and  trotting  horses  as  for  its  Short-horns.  It 
was  the  home  of  the  great  four-mile  racer  Lexington,  and  in  later  years, 
after  the  property  had  passed  into  the  hands  of  A.  J.  Alexander,  the 
farm,  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Lucas  Brodhead,  achieved  world- 
wide fame  as  a  nursery  of  great  performers  on  the  trotting  turf.  Jersey- 
cattle  and  Cotswold  and  Southdown  sheep  were  also  bred. 


SECOND   PERIOD   OF   ACTIVITY  253 

man  in  America  has  done  more  for  the  cultivation  of  pure-bred 
stock  than  did  the  late  Robert  Aitcheson  Alexander,  whether  we 
speak  of  the  Thoroughbred  racer  or  the  more  sturdy  trotter,  or  of 
Short-horn,  Ayrshire  or  Alderney  cattle,  or  of  Cotswold  or  South- 
down sheep.  He  had  an  eye  for  the  beauties  in  each  and  all. 
Possessed  of  a  large  estate  he  used  it  unsparingly  in  the  culti- 
vation of  the  best  quality  of  stock.  Possessed  of  the  power  that 
comes  from  great  wealth  he  wielded  it  all  in  the  support  of  the 
best  interest  of  the  community.  Able  to  command  any  blood  in 
Short-horns  he  insisted  on  having  the  best.  Familiar  with  pedi- 
grees and  knowing  what  was  good  and  what  was  bad  he  honestly 
applied  right  principles  to  the  end.  Consequently  he  was  carried 
off  into  no  crochets  and  gave  no  particular  strain  the  sole  benefit 
of  his  great  influence,  holding  it  up  to  the  public  gaze  as  the  true 
and  only  pure  blood.  On  the  contrary,  few  herds  have  ever  been 
founded  on  a  more  varied  basis,  and  few  breeders  have  ever  been 
so  catholic  in  their  tastes.  Pure  Booth,  pure  Bates,  Knightley, 
Mason,  Wiley,  Whitaker,  'Seventeen,'  every  strain  nearly  that 
has  ever  been  known  on  the  continent,  had  a  place  in  his  herd 
and  affections.  The  consequence  was  the  gathering  together  of  a 
herd  that  in  its  prime  had  certainly  no  equal  on  this  side  of  the 
water,  and  perhaps  as  certainly  none  on  the  other.  All  of  good 
sterling  worth  and  fancy,  so  long  as  fancy  did  not  conflict  with 
worth,  that  money  would  gather  together  was  to  be  seen  on  his 
farm  at  Woodburn.  Knowing  what  was  good,  when  he  found  it 
in  other  blood  than  what  was  represented  in  his  herd,  instead  of 
claiming  it  to  be  impure  he  purchased  it  and  incorporated  it  with 
what  he  already  had.  Thus  he  set  an  example  of  catholic  appre- 
ciation which  it  would  do  us  of  this  day  good  to  follow  more 
closely." 

First  of  the  Airdrie  Duchesses. — Visiting  the  lead- 
ing herds  of  Britain  he  bought,  among  other  valua- 
ble animals,  the  two-year-old  roan  heifer  Duchess 
of  Athol  and  her  half-brother,  the  yearling  red-roan 
bull  2d  Duke  of  Athol  (11376),  both  bred  by  Col. 
Towneley,  at  500  guineas  for  the  pair.  It  may  be 
remarked  in  passing  that  on  this   same   trip   the 


254  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOB.N   CATTLE 

heifer  Mazurka,  offered  at  100  guineas,  was  de- 
clined and  left  behind,  only  to  be  bought  at  the 
Kentucky  Importing  Co.'s  sale  the  following  year 
at  $3,050.  The  2d  Duke  and  the  Athol  Duchess  had 
been  produced  at  Towneley  by  Duchess  54th,  that 
was  taken  at  the  Kirklevington  dispersion  by  Mr. 
Eastwood  at  £94  10s.  Colonel  Towneley  had  bred 
Duchess  54th  to  the  Booth  bull  Lord  George  (10439), 
a  white  bred  by  John  Booth  at  Killerby  from  Fitz- 
Leonard  (7010)  and  the  famous  Toy  cow  Birthday, 
daughter  of  the  celebrated  Bracelet.  Mr.  Alexander 
was  not  one  of  those  who  insisted  upon  strict  breed- 
ing ^^in  line."  He  liked  the  yearling  that  resulted 
from  this  ''outcross'' — 2d  Duke  of  Athol — and 
bought  him,  but  the  young  Duchess  and  2d  Duke 
were  left  for  a  time  in  England.  To  a  service  by 
the  2d  Duke  of  Athol  or  Valiant  (10989)  Duchess  of 
Athol  produced  Duchess  of  Airdrie — so  called  from 
the  Alexander  family  estate  at  Airdrie  House, 
Scotland — the  first  of  the  line  of  that  name  destined 
to  play  a  remarkable  role  in  American  Short-horn 
history.  Duchess  of  Athol  was  then  bred  to  the 
Duke  of  Gloster  (11382),  that  had  been  bought  at 
Lord  Ducie's  sale  in  1853  by  Morris  &  Becar  for 
$3,350,  with  the  understanding  that  he  was  to  be 
left  in  England  one  year  before  being  shipped  to 
America;  the  progeny  this  time  being  the  red-and- 
white  bull  calf  registered  and  afterward  famous 
throughout  the  Western  States  as  imp.  Duke  of 
Airdrie  (12730). 


SECOND    PERIOD   OF   ACTIVITY  255 

The  Alexander  importation  of  July,  1853.— The 

first  lot  consigned  for  Woodburn  included  thirty-six 
females  and  ^ve  bulls,  which  were  forwarded  by  the 
same  vessel  that  carried  the  valuable  purchases  of 
the  Northern  Kentucky  Co.  in  1853.     Few  cargoes 
of  greater  ultimate  value  have  ever  been  discharged 
upon  American  shores  than  that  landed  after  this 
voyage  by  the  good   ship   AVashington,   under,  the 
command  of  Capt.  Duncan.     Hundreds  of  herds  of 
pedigreed  Short-horns  and  thousands  of  the  best 
bullocks  ever  bred  in  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Val- 
leys in  after  years  owed  their  excellence  in  a  large 
measure  to  the  valuable  blood  introduced  into  the 
West  as  a  result  of  the  two  consignments  brought 
by  this  vessel.     Among  the  animals  in  this  initial 
shipment  for  Woodburn  was  the  red-and-white  cow 
Miss  Hudson— bred  by  Wiley  of  Brandsbv— belong- 
mg   to    a   tribe    originated   by   Mason   of    Chilton. 
Several  of  her  daughters  were  also  bought  bv  Mr. 
Alexander,   and   from   this   foundation   sprang   the 
Miss  Wiley  and  Loudon  Duchess  families  afterward 
so  famous  in  Kentucky,  Ohio  and  the  West.    Other 
cows  included  in  this  consignment  were  the  Bell- 
Bates  Filbert,  a  roan  by  2d  Cleveland  Lad;  Jubilee, 
Jubilee  2d,  Joyful  and  Juniata  of  the  "J''  Prin- 
cess   family,    all    bred    by    Mr.    Tanquerav;    Miss 
Towneley,  mainly  of  Fawkes  blood;  Maid^Marion, 
Beatrice,  Sweet  Mary,  Buttercup,  Nightingale  and 
Grisi,  by  Grand  Duke,  of  Bolden's  breeding.  Among 
the  bulls  were  Lord  John  (11278),  a  roan  bv  Nor- 


256  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

folk  (9442),*  and  Fanticliini  (12862),  bred  by 
Fawkes  and  tracing  to  Fair  Sovereign,  by  Sir 
Thomas  Fairfax. 

Subsequent  shipments  to  Woodburn  Farm. — Dur- 
ing the  years  immediately  following  Mr.  Alexander 
purchased  and  imported  thirty-two  head  of  cows, 
heifers  and  bulls  from  first-class  English  herds, 
bringing  out  along  with  them  Duchess  of  Athol  and 
her  daughter.  Duchess  of  Airdrie,  and  son,  Duke  of 
Airdrie  already  mentioned.  Also  such  cows  as 
Pearlette,  red-and-white,  bred  by  S.  E.  Bolden,  sired 
by  the  famous  Booth  bull  Benedict  (7828) ;  Victoria 
20th,  a  roan  belonging  to  the  Mason  blood ;  Filigree, 
a  white  heifer,  bred  by  Mr.  Saunders  and  sired  by 
Abram  Parker  (9856),  of  Booth  descent;  Lady  Gul- 
nare,  bred  by  Ambler  from  Mr.  Fawkes'  Booth  cow 
Gulnare  by  Norfolk  (2377) ;  Minna,  Constance  and 
Eosabella,  all  bred  by  Mr.  Fawkes  and  all  sired  by 
Bridegroom  (11203) ;  Lady  Derby  and  her  dam,  the 
Bell-Bates  cow  Forget-me-not;  Lydia  Languish,  by 
Duke  of  Gloster  (11382);  Vellum,  bred  by  Sir  C. 
Tempest,  sired  by  Abram  Parker  (9856) ;  Lady 
Barrington  13th,  bred  by  R.  Bell  from  4th  Duke  of 
York  (10167);  Abigail,  sired  by  Loyalist  (10479), 
and  Minerva  3d,  a  red  Gwynne  cow,  and  her  roan 
heifer  Lady  Sherwood,  by  5th  Duke  of  York. 


*This  Norfolk  should  not  be  confused  with  Norfolk  (2377),  that  has 
been  so  frequently  mentioned.  He  was  not  only  the  sire  of  Mr.  Alex- 
ander's Lord  John  but  of  the  great  roan  cow  Duchess,  imported  by  the 
Clinton  Co.  (O.)  Co.  in  1854,  that  was  first-prize  female  at  the  United 
States  Cattle  Show  at  Springfield,  C,  that  year. 


SECOND  PERIOD  OF  ACTIVITY  257 

In  addition  to  the  Bates  bulls  2d  Duke  of  Atliol 
and  Duke  of  Airdrie  Mr.  Alexander  imported  the 
Booth-bred  Dr.  Buckingham  (14405),  bred  by  Am- 
bler, sired  by  Hopewell  (10332),  El  Hakim  (15984), 
a  red-roan  bred  by  Bolden  from  the  Duchess  bull 
Grand  Duke  (10284)  and  the  Booth  cow  Fame,  by 
Raspberry;  The  Priest  (6246),  a  roan  sired  by  The 
Prior  (13870)  out  of  the  Mason-bred  cow  Graceful 
2d  by  Earl  of  Dublin  (10178);  Baron  Martin 
(12444),  roan,  bred  by  Holmes  of  Ireland,  sired  by 
the  Booth  bull  Baron  Warlaby  (7813)  out  of  a  Ma- 
son Victoria  dam;  and  several  others.  This  impor- 
tation was  destined  to  have  a  most  extraordinary  in- 
fluence upon  Short-horn  breeding  in  both  England 
and  America. 

As  will  appear  from  the  reports  of  the  sales  made 
by  the  Northern  Kentucky  and  Scott  County  com- 
panies, Mr.  Alexander  added  to  his  own  extensive 
importations,  by  purchase,  the  grand  cows  Mazur- 
ka, Maid  of  Melrose  and  Equity  and  such  bulls  as 
Orontes  2d  and  Sirius.  After  breeding  from  this 
extraordinary  array  of  cattle  for  several  years  the 
Woodburn  herd  numbered  something  like  200  head 
and  was  beyond  all  question  the  best  collection  of 
Short-horns  then  in  North  America.  Indeed  it  is 
doubtful  if  its  superior,  size  considered,  existed  at 
t]iat  time  in  either  England  or  the  United  States. 
The  leading  Kentucky  breeders  of  that  period  were 
not  slow  to  take  advantage  of  this  valuable  material, 
and  in  a  subsequent  chapter  we  shall  have  occasion 


258  A  HISTORY  OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

to  point  out  the  far-reaching  effects  of  Mr.  Alex- 
ander's importations*  upon  Short-horn  breeding  in 
Ihe  Western  States  for  a  long  series  of  years. 

Importations  by  the  Shakers. — In  1854  and  1856 
the  society  of  Shakers  at  Union  Village,  Warren  Co., 
0.,  imported  about  eighteen  cows  and  heifers  and 
eight  young  bulls,  most  of  which  were  from  the  fine 
old  herd  of  James  Douglas  of  Athelstanef  ord,  Scot- 
land. Among  the  cows  were  April  Morn,  Yiolante 
(with  white  heifer  Atalanta),  Marchioness,  Mar- 
garet, Duchess,  Blanche  (with  white  heifer  Lady 
Blanche),  Farewell,  Bellevue  and  Heroine,  all  from 
the  Douglas  herd.  Of  Mark  Stewart's  (of  South- 
wick)  breeding  was  Hawthorne  Blossom,  and  from 
Mr.  Hutchinson 's  stock  they  obtained  the  roan  Prize 
Flower,  by  Prince  Charlie  (13503).  From  Mr. 
Douglas  they  also  bought  the  bulls  Captain  Balco 
(12546),  Morning  Star  (14962),  King  of  Trumps 
(14767),  Chancellor  (12579),  Hearts  of  Oak  (14684), 
Duke  of  Southwick  (14455),  and  Hawthorne  Hero 
(14682). 

In  1854  the  Shakers  of  Pleasant  Hill,  Ky.,  import- 
ed the  bull  Duke  of  Cambridge  447.  They  had  many 
years  previously  bought,  in  connection  with  Hon. 
Henry  Clay,  for  $1,000  the  imported  bull  Orozimbo 
786,  and  also  bought  cows  imported  by  Mr.  Gambel, 
via  New  Orleans. 


*Mr.  Ben  F.  Vanmeter,  who  afterward  became  a  prominent  breeder 
in  Kentucky,  in  the  course  of  recent  letter  to  the  author  says  :  "I  came 
home  across  the  Atlantic  with  Mr.  R.  A.  Alexander  in  1853  just  before 
he  made  his  first  importation  of  blooded  stock.  He  and  I  were  the  only 
two  Southern  men  on  board,  and  although  I  was  then  only  nineteen 
years  old  a  friendship  sprang  up  between  us  which  continued  to  the  end 
of  his  life.  I  consider  that  he  was  the  greatest  benefactor  the  blooded- 
stock  Interest  has  ever  had  in  America." 


SECOND  PERIOD  OF  ACTIVITY  259 

James  S.  Matson  (Kentucky).— In  1852  J.  S.  Mat- 
son  of  Paris,  Ky.,  imported  the  roan  two-year-old 
bull  John  o'  Gaunt  (11621),  bred  by  J.  T.  Tanque- 
ray,  and  the  roan  yearling  Javelin  (11610)  of  Lord 
HilPs  breeding.  The  former  was  used  on  some  of 
the  best  cows  in  the  State,  including  a  number  of 
Abram  Renick's. 

Wilson  &  Seawright  (Ohio). — In  1854  Messrs. 
Wilson  &  Seawright  of  Cincinnati,  0.,  imported  the 
bulls  Fair  Trader  1545,  Lord  Eglinton  1795,  De- 
ceiver 409,  Locomotive  646,  Benjamin  Disraeli  1251, 
and  heifers  Gaudy,  White  Stockings,  Margaret  and 
Isidora.  This  same  firm  subsequently  imported 
four  other  heifers,  two  of  which  were  named  White 
Eose  (both  white),  one  Fanny  with  heifer  calf,  and 
a  fourth  the  roan  Laura.  The  two  White  Roses 
and  Laura  were  bred  in  Ireland. 

Mason  and  Bracken  (Kentucky)  Association. — In 
the  year  1856  a  group  of  Kentucky  breeders  organ- 
ized a  company  under  the  name  of  the  Mason  and 
Bracken  Counties  Importing  Co.  Their  purchasing 
agents  were  Messrs.  Alexander  R.  Marshall  and 
Henry  Smoot,  the  importation  being  landed  at  Phil- 
adelphia in  June  of  that  year.-  It  included  sixteen 
cows  and  heifers  and  five  bulls.  No  sale  was  made 
by  this  company  until  Oct.  1,  1859,  after  the  financial 
crisis  of  1857  had  swept  values  away,  and  we  are 
without  details  as  to  prices  obtained.  They  were 
doubtless  low.  Among  the  females  were  the  follow- 
ing :  Duenna,  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  Mr.  Bolden 


260  A  HISTORY  OF   SHOET-HOR^T   CATTLE 

and  belonging  to  a  Bell-Bates  family;  Diana,  roan 
two-year-old,  sold  to  J.  E.  French,  Mason  Co.,  Ky. ; 
Alice,  red-and-wliite  two-year-old,  sired  by  Harbin- 
ger (10297),  sold  to  J.  C.  Humphrey;  Light  of  the 
Harem,  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  Mr.  Fawkes,  sold 
to  B.  Jameson ;  Lady  Macbeth,  two-year-old,  bred  by 
Mr.  Fawkes,  sold  to  H.  Smoot;  Jennie  Deans,  roan 
two-year-old,  bred  in  Ireland,  sold  to  Messrs.  Dur- 
rett.  Among  the  bulls  were :  Macbeth  (13266),  a  roan 
bred  by  Mr.  Fawkes,  sired  by  Bridegroom  (11203) ; 
Vatican  12260,  a  roan  bred  by  Earl  Ducie  and  sired 
by  Usurer  (9763),  Blandimar  19044,  a  roan,  bred  by 
Sir  Charles  Knightley,  sired  by  Earl  of  Dublin 
(10178)  and  belonging  to  the  Fawsley  Walnut  tribe. 
The  importation  did  not  leave  any  special  impress 
upon  Kentucky  Short-horn  breeding. 

Livingston  Co.  (N.  Y.)  Association. — A  number 
of  well-to-do  farmers  and  cattle-breeders  in  the 
Genesee  Valley  of  New  York  formed  a  company 
in  1854  known  as  the  **  Livingston  County  Stock  As- 
sociation, ' '  and  through  their  agents,  Messrs.  David 
Brooks  and  S.  L.  Fuller,  purchased  in  England 
twenty-four  Short-horns.  Unfortunately  one-half 
of  these  were  lost  during  a  storm  at  sea.  Among 
the  surviving  animals  were  the  bulls  Governor  2922, 
Usurper  3522  and  Bletsoe  2548,  and  the  cows  Music, 
a  roan  of  the  Gwynne  family  bred  by  Mr.  Tan- 
queray,  sired  by  Balco  (9918) ;  Hopeless,  red-and- 
white,  sired  by  Horatio  (10335)  ;  Lady  Ellington, 
red,  sired  by  Broughton  Hero  (6811) ;  Medora,  also 


SECOXD  PERIOD  OF  ACTIVITY  261 

a  Gwynne,  by  Horatio  (10335) ;  Phoenix  2d,  red-roan, 
by  Horatio  (10335);  Australia,  red-and-white,  by 
Lord  Foppington  (10437),  and  Camilla,  red-roan 
Gwynne  of  Tanqueray's  breeding,  sired  by  Fusileer 
(11499).  Several  of  these  cows  passed  into  the  pos- 
session of  Gen.  James  S.  Wadsworth  of  Genesee  and 
left  a  valuable  progeny.  Soon  after  this  importa- 
tion was  made  the  bull  Governor  2922  was  sent  out 
to  the  same  parties. 

Thomas  Richardson  (New  York).— About  the  year 
1854  Thomas  Richardson  of  New  York  City  import- 
ed some  Short-horns  along  with  other  live  stock, 
among  them  the  Duke  of  Cambridge  (12746)  and  the 
Booth-bred  cows  Bijou,  by  Crown  Prince  (10087) ; 
Fanella,  by  Baron  AYarlaby  (7813) ;  Fanny  Warlaby, 
by  same  sire ;  Harmony,  by  Crown  Prince ;  Rachel, 
by  Hopewell  (10332),  together  with  Laura,  by  Hec- 
tor (13002),  and  Lady  Constance,  by  Lord  Derby 
(13179).  Three  of  the  Booth  cows  were  bred  by  Mr. 
R.  Chaloner,  Kings  Fort,  Ireland,  and  one  by  Mr. 
Torr.  These  were  kept  on  Mr.  Richardson's  farm 
at  Westchester,  the  herd  being  sold  soon  after  his 
death,  which  occurred  a  few  years  after  the  arrival 
of  the  importation. 

Dr.  H.  Wendell  (New  York).— In  1856  Dr.  H. 
Wendell  of  Albany  brought  out  an  importation  of 
four  cows  and  heifers  and  the  bull  Lord  Ducie  662 
—all  bred  by  R.  Bell  and  crossed  by  Bates  bulls. 
The  red  Craggs  cow  Alice  Maud,  ])y  Grand  Duke 
(10284) ;  the  roan  Lady  Liverpool,  by  3d  Duke  of 


262  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOKT-HORN   CATTLE 

York  (10166) ;  the  red-and-white  Acomb  heifer 
Agnes,  by  Earl  of  Derby  (10177),  and  the  roan  two- 
year-old  Famous  (of  the  Bell-Bates  Fletcher  tribe), 
by  Earl  of  Derby  (10177),  were  in  this  shipment. 
Agnes  was  in  calf  to  Gen.  Canrobert  (12926)  and 
dropped  the  red-and-white  Duchess  of  Cleveland 
after  importation  to  that  service.* 

J.  0.  Sheldon  (New  York).— Sheldon  of  Geneva, 
N.  Y.,  who  afterward  acquired  the  Thorne  Duch- 
esses, imported  in  1857  the  roan  yearling  Bates  Ox- 
ford bull  Grand  Duke  of  Oxford  (16184),  bred  by 
Capt.  Gunter  from  Oxford  11th;  the  red  yearling 
Grand  Duke  2d  (14640),  alias  Clarendon  2632,  bred 
by  Jonas  Webb  and  afterward  sold  to  N.  L.  Chaffee 
of  Ohio;  and  the  roan  heifer  Miss  Butterfly,  by 
Master  Butterfly  2d  (14918)  out  of  Eatafia  by  King 
Arthur  (13110). 

R.  F.  Nichols  (Louisiana)  .—In  1856  Mr.  K.  F. 
Nichols  of  New  Orleans  imported  the  two  roan  cows 
Lady  Stanhope  2d  and  Nightingale,  both  sired  by 
AAliitaker  Comet  (8771).  As  to  where  they  were 
taken  and  as  to  what  progeny  they  left  we  are  not 
advised. 

First  importations  into  Indiana. — We  have  now 
to  record  the  first  direct  importation  from  England 
into  the  territory  west  of  the  State  of  Ohio.  In 
1838  Mr.  Chris.  Whitehead  of  Franklin  County  im- 
ported the  roan  two-year-old  bull  Eryx  (1982),  bred 


*We  have  neglected  to  list  in  its  propei-  order  the  importation  of  the 
red-and-white  cow  Lvicy,  by  Young  North  Star  (2384),  brought  into 
New  York  in  1836  by  a  Capt.  Sproul.  This  cow  was  bought  by  J.  S. 
Berryman  of  Fayette  Co.,  Ky.,  in  1838. 


SECOXD  PERIOD  OF  ACTIVITY  263 

by  Mr.  Tempest  and  got  by  Brutus  (1752)  out  of 
Venus,  by  Sir  Walter  (2638);  the  cow  Young 
Venus,  by  Reveller  (2529),  in  calf  to  Young  Grazier 
(3929) — the  progeny  being  the  roan  bull  Grazier 
4041 — and  heifer  Strawberry,  by  Eryx. 

In  the  year  1853  Dr.  A.  C.  Stevenson  of  Green- 
castle,  Ind.,  imported  four  heifers  and  two  young 
bulls,  as  follows :  Bloom,  red-and-white,  and  Violet, 
roan,  both  bred  by  John  Emerson  and  both  daugh- 
ters of  Master  Belleville  (11795) ;  Miss  Welbourn, 
a  roan  bred  by  Messrs.  Wetherell,  sired  by  St.  John 
(27755),  and  Strawberry  5th,  red-roan,  bred  by  Mr. 
Thornton  of  Stapleton,  sired  by  Deliverance 
(11347).  The  bulls  were  Prince  of  Wales  876,  a 
roan  of  Mr.  Wethereirs  breeding,  sired  by  Whit- 
tington  (12299),  and  the  roan  Fancy  Boy  492,  bred 
by  Mr.  Thornton,  sired  by  Major  (11771).  These 
bulls  left  a  useful  progeny. 

An  early  importation  to  Wisconsin.— In  1854  Mr. 
John  P.  Roe  of  AYaukesha  County  brought  the  first 
imported  Short-horns  into  Wisconsin.  The  lot  con- 
sisted of  three  or  four  females  and  a  bull,  all  bred 
by  George  Faulkner  of  Rothersthorpe.  The  ship- 
ment included  the  red  cow  Sally,  by  Pilot  (24748) ; 
the  two-year-old  red  heifer  Raspberry,  by  Protection 
(11956);  red  yearling  heifer  Diana,  by  Dictator 
(11356),  and  red  yearling  bull  Rothersthorpe  928, 
by  Dictator  (11356).  Raspberry  was  in  calf  to  Roth- 
ersthorpe, and  dropped  the  red  heifer  Regina.  (See 
Vol.  II,  A.  H.  B.) 


264  A  HISTORY  OF  SHORT-HORK  CATTLE 

Illinois  Importing  Co. — Prominent  among  those 
who  settled  at  an  early  date  upon  the  fertile  prairies 
of  the  State  of  Illinois  were  a  class  of  men,  princi- 
pally from  the  State  of  Kentucky,  who  not  only 
brought  good  cattle  with  them  but  advanced  ideas 
as  to  the  value  of  good  blood  in  the  maintenance  of 
their  herds.  They  found  the  grasses  and  grains  of 
Illinois  quite  as  well  adapted  to  beef-cattle  as  those 
of  their  native  State,  and  it  was  not  long  before 
several  good  herds  of  Short-horns  were  established. 
Chief  among  those  who  were  foremost  in  this  pio- 
neer work  with  Short-horns  in  the  newer  West  must 
be  mentioned  the  late  Capt.  James  N.  Brown,  whose 
magnificent  estate  of  Grove  Park  in  Sangamon 
County  still  remains  in  the  family  and  is  still  devot- 
ed largely  to  cattle-growing  and  feeding  operations. 
Capt.  Brown  removed  from  Kentucky  in  the  year 
1833  and  brought  with  him  some  good  Short-horns, 
which  constituted,  we  believe,  the  earliest  introduc- 
tion of  the  breed  into  the  Upper  Mississippi  Valley. 
Soon  after  these  early  settlers  founded  their  herds, 
however,  the  great  depression  from  1840  to  1850 
settled  down  upon  the  country  and  slow  progress 
was  made  in  the  improvement  of  the  Illinois  cattle, 
but  with  the  revival  of  interest  that  occurred  in  oth- 
er States  in  the  fifties  the  enterprising  breeders  of 
Central  Illinois  resolved  to  undertake  in  earnest  the 
work  of  bringing  their  herds  up  to  the  standard  of 
those  that  had  existed  for  so  many  years  in  Ken- 
tucky and  Ohio.     Accordingly  in  the  year  1857  a 


SECOND  PEEIOD  OF  ACTIVITY  265 

syndicate  was  formed  for  the  purpose  of  raaking 
a  direct  importation  from  England. 

Capt.  James  N.  Brown  was  the  master-spirit  of 
this  organization,  and  the  whole  project  would  have 
failed  had  he  not  consented  to  act  as  one  of  the 
agents  for  the  purchase  of  the  cattle  on  the  other 
side.    Messrs.  H.  C.  Johns  and  H.  Jacoby  were  se- 
lected to  act  as  his  assistants.     They  proceeded  to 
Great   Britain,   and   after  careful   examination   of 
many  of  the  leading  herds  in  England,  Scotland  and 
Ireland  they  purchased  ten  bulls  and  twenty-one 
cows  and  heifers.    These  were  shipped  on  the  sail- 
ing vessel  Georgia,  which  had  a  stormy  passage  of 
some  sixty  days'  duration.     Three  bulls  and  one 
heifer  died  at  sea,  but  the  rest  were  duly  landed  at 
Philadelphia  in  July,  1857.    Following  the  practice 
of  their  predecessors  in  the  older  States  the  stock- 
holders decided  to  divide  up  the  cattle  through  the 
medium  of  an  auction  sale.    It  was  first  agreed,  in 
order  that  the  full  benefit  of  this  importation  might 
accrue  to  the  State  of  Illinois,  to  bar  all  bidders 
from  other  States.    The  sale  was  held  on  the  local 
fair-grounds  at  Springfield,  Aug.  27,  1857,  and  at- 
tracted widespread  interest.    There  was  not  only  a 
great  attendance  from  Illinois  but  numerous  breed- 
ers were  present  as  spectators  from  adjacent  States. 
It  was  a  great  event  in  the  early  agricultural  history 
of  the  West.*     It  was  an  exciting  day  at  Spring- 

»^^^lZ^  ?}\r.Yl}}'Tl  ^^'O^'"'  son  Of  the  late  Capt.  James  N.  Brown,  the 
^Hil^  coll  ^1?^%?  ^'''"  ^  ^^iP^'  ?^  ^^^  original  catalogue  of  this  memor- 
able sale,  the  title-page  of  which  reads,   "Catalogue  of  Pure-Blooded 


266  A  HISTORY  OF   SHOKT-HORN  CATTLE 

field,  and  fortunately  for  the  company  (but  perhaps 
unfortunately  for  the  individual  buyers  at  the  sale) 
the  event  occurred  a  few  weeks  before  the  alarming 
financial  panic  of  1857  overtook  the  business  inter- 
ests of  the  Nation. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  this  was  the  primal  auc- 
tion sale  of  Short-horns  in  the  Western  country  it 
will  be  of  interest  to  produce  herewith  a  full  report : 

BULLS. 

Defender  (12687),  roan  three-year-old;  bred  by  A.  Cruick- 
shank,  Sittyton,  and  the  first  bull  from  that  afterward 
celebrated  herd  brought  to  America;  sired  by  Matadore 
(11800)— A.  G.  Carle,  Champaign  County $2,500 

Admiral  2473,  red  two-year-old,  bred  by  Lord  Talbot  of  Ire- 
land, sired  by  Chrisp's  Phoenix  (10608)  out  of  the  Booth- 
crossed  cow  Maid  of  Moynalty  by  Beau  of  Killerby 
(7821)— S.  Dunlap  &  Co 2,500 

Argus  (14102),  roan  yearling,  bred  by  H.  Combe;  sire  by 
Beau  (12182)  out  of  Annie  by  Broughton  Hero  (6811), 
a  roan  bull  illustrated  on  page  25,  Vol.  VI,  Coates'  Herd 
Book,  sired  by  Buchan  Hero  (3238) — George  Barnett, 
Will  County    2,055 

King  Alfred  (14760),  red  two-year-old,  bred  by  Jonas  Webb, 
sired  by  Cheltenham  (12588);  dam  Heart's  Ease  by 
Lord  of  the  North  (11743)— Brown,  Jacoby  &  Co.,  San- 
gamon County   1,300 

Dubloon  38331^,  red  yearling,  bred  by  J.  Topham,  Ireland; 
sired  by  Orphan  Boy  (13429) — W.  lies,  Sangamon 
County    1,075 

Master  Lowndes  3140i/>,  roan  two-year-old,  sired  by  Belle- 

rophon   (11165)— J.  H.  Spears,  Menard  County 725 


Short-Horned  Cattle,  al.so  Honses,  Sheep  and  Hogs,  owned  by  the  Illinois 
Importing  Association."  The  horses  seem  to  have  consisted  of  a  three- 
year-old  Cleveland  Bay  stallion,  a  two-year-old  Thoroughbred  stallion 
and  a  black  Thoroughbred  mare  that  unfoitunately  died  before  the  sale. 
The  sheep  consisted  of  Cotswolds  and  Southdowns.  the  latter  mainly 
from  the  flock  of  Jonas  Webb,  the  breeder  of  the  bull  King  Alfred,  to 
be  mentioned.  The  swine  consisted  of  Berkshii'es  from  the  herds  of  E. 
Bowly  of  Siddington,  Hewer  of  Highworth  and  others,  and  of  Irish, 
Cumberland  and  Yorkshire  pigs,  all  purchased  In  the  Emerald  Isle. 


SECOND  PERIOD  OF  ACTIVITY  267 

Goldfinder  2920yo,  roan  bull  calf,  bred  by  H.  Ambler;  sired 
by  Grand  Turk  (12969),  that  was  imported  by  Mr. 
Thorne— J.  C.  Bone,  Sangamon  County $    725 

cows    AXD    HEIFERS. 

Rachel  3d,  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  S.  E.  Bolden;  sired  by 
Duke  of  Bolton  (12738),  a  Bates-topped  Booth  bull; 
dam  the  Booth-bred  Rachel  by  Leonard  (4210),  tracing 
to  the  Halnaby  foundation— Jas.  N.  Brown,  Sangamon 

^^^^t^    $3,025 

Emerald,  roan  yearling;  bred  by  T.  Barnes,  Westland.  Ire- 
land; sired  by  the  Booth  bull  Hopewell  (10332);  dam 
Ruby  by  Royal  Buck  (10750),  running  to  Mason's  Lady 

Sarah — J.  C.  Bone 2  125 

Empress,  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  Edward  Bowly  of  Sid- 
dington;  sired  by  Tortworth  Duke  (13892);  dam  Flip- 
pant, by  Bourton  Hero  (9983)— Henry  Jacoby 1,725 

Western  Lady,  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  H.  Ambler,  sired 
by  Grand  Turk  (12969)*;  dam  Wiseton  Lady  by  Humber 
(7.102),  running  through  Earl  Spencer's  herd  to  a  Mason 

foundation— Capt.  James  N.  Brown 1  325 

Lady  Harriet,  roan  three-year-old,  bred  by  A.  Cruickshank 
and  the  first 'Sittyton-bred  cow  brought  to  America; 
sired  by  Procurator  (10657),  dam  Countess  of  Lincoln 
by  Diamond   (5918);  bulled  by  Lord  Sackville   (13249) 

— J.  H.  Jacoby,  Sangamon  County 1,300 

Fama,  red-and-white  yearling,  bred  by  S.  E.  Bolden,  sired 
by  imp.  2d  Grand  Duke  (10284)  and  tracing  to  Booth's 

Fame— J.  H.  Spears  &  Co.,  Menard  County 1,050 

Pomegranate,  roan  yearling,  bred  by  Rev.  T.  Cator,  sired  by 
Master  Charley  (13312);  dam  Cassandra  by  Norfolk 
(9442),  a  granddaughter  of  Fawkes'  Fair  Maid  of 
Athens   by    Sir   Thomas    Fairfax,    running    to    Booth's 

Isabella  by  Pilot— T.  Simpkins,  Pike  County 975 

Stella,  roan  four-year-old,  bred  by  E.  Bowly,  sired  by  Snow- 
storm  (12119)— Mr.  Bonnman,  St.  Clair  County 925 

*  Grand  Turk  was  a  bull  of  immense  size,  and  for  a  big-  one  quite  as 
smoothly  put  together  as  could  be  expected.  He  was  imported  to  New 
York  by  the  Thornes.     See  page  235. 


268  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Perfection,  red  yearling,  bred  by  A.  Cruickshank,  sired  by 
The  Baron  (13833),  dam  Model  by  Matadore  (11800)  — 
E.  B.  Hill,  Scott  County $    900 

Adelaide,  roan  yearling,  bred  by  A.  Cruickshank,  sired  by 
Matadore  (11800),  dam  Edith  Fairfax  by  Sir  Thomas 
Fairfax   (4196) — R,  Morrison,  Morgan  County 825 

Minx,  red  yearling,  bred  by  J.  Christy  of  Ireland,  sired  by 

Lord  Spencer  (13251) — J.  G.  Loose,  Sangamon  County.  .     800 

Bella,  roan  five-year-old,  bred  by  E.  Bowly,  sired  by  Cali- 
fornia  (10017)— J.  Ogle,  St.  Clair  County 750 

Violet,  roan  yearling,  bred  by  Jonas  Webb,  sired  by  Young 

Scotland  (13681)— Col.  J.  W.  Judy,  Menard  County....     700 

Constance,  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  E.  Bowly,  sired  by 

Snowstorm   (12119)— George  Barnett,  Will  County 700 

Cassandra  2d,  roan  two-year-old,  bred  by  Rev.  T.  Cator; 
sired' by  Master  Charley  (13312),  tracing  to  the  Booth 
cow  Medora  by  Ambo — H.  Owsley,  Sangamon  County..     675 

Empress  Eugenie,  red-and-white  two-year-old,  bred  by  H. 
Ambler,  sired  by  Bridegroom  (11203),  tracing  to  the 
Cherry  by  Waterloo  foundation — J.  Ogle,  St.  Clair 
County    675 

Coquette,  roan  yearling,  bred  by  E.  Bowly,  sired  by  Econo- 
mist  (11425)— George  Barnett,  Will  County 550 

Lily,  white  two-year-old,  bred  by  E.  Bowly,  sired  by  Snow- 
storm  ( 12119 )  —George  Barnett 550 

Caroline,  roan  four-year-old,  bred  by  Lowndes,  sired  by  Ar- 
row  (9906)— J.  M.  Hill,  Cass  County 500 

Coronation,  red  yearling,  bred  by  Jonas  Webb,  sired  by  Chel- 
tenham (12588)— J.  A.  Pickrell,  Sangamon  County 500 

7  bulls  sold   for $10,880;   an   average  of $1,554 

20  females  sold  for 20,575;   an   average   of 1,028 

27  animals  sold  for 31,455;  an  average  of 1,165 

With  the  single  exception  of  the  imported  cow 
Mazurka,  for  which  Mr.  R.  A.  Alexander  had  paid 
$3,050  at  the  Northern  Kentucky  Importing  Co.'s 
sale,  the  purchase  of  Rachel  2d  by  Capt.  Brown  at 


SECOND  PERIOD  OF  ACTIVITY  269 

$3,025  represented  liigh-water  mark  up  to  that  date 
for  a  Short-horn  female  at  public  sale  in  North 
America.  This  cow  is  described  to  us  by  Col.  James 
W.  Judy  as  ''a  rich  roan,  rather  leggy^,  quite  lengthy 
and  somewhat  light  in  the  body."  Unfortunately 
for  her  buyer  she  lived  but  a  few  years  and  had  no 
produce  that  proved  fruitful.  Western  Lady,  Caro- 
line and  Constance  were  the  cows  that  left  the  most 
and  best  progeny  among  all  the  females  of  the  im- 
portation. In  fact,  so  far  as  herd-book  records  in- 
dicate, these  three  cows  are  about  the  only  ones 
that  did  found  families  of  any  consequence.  "Wliile 
Emerald  was  perhaps  the  best  individual  cow  sold. 
Western  Lady  was  easily  the  most  valuable,  as  sub- 
sequently demonstrated  by  the  large  and  excellent 
tribe  she  gave  to  the  Western  States.  Caroline  was 
out  of  condition  on  day  of  sale,  but  proved  to  be  a 
good  purchase.  Among  the  bulls  King  Alfred  of 
Jonas  Webb's  breeding  was  undoubtedly  the  most 
valuable  although  not  the  highest-priced.  Wliile  he 
was  preferred  by  some  as  an  individual  to  any  other 
bull  in  the  lot,  yet  a  majority  of  those  in  attendance 
regarded  Admiral  and  Defender  as  the  two  show 
bulls  of  the  importation. 

Founding  of  the  American  Herd  Book. — America 
was  practically  without  a  public  pedigree  registry 
for  Short-horn  cattle  until  1855.  The  late  Lewis  F. 
Allen  of  Black  Eock,  N.  Y.,  had,  it  is  true,  issued  the 
small  initial  volume  of  the  American  Herd  Book  in 
1846,  but  at  that  early  date  few  breeders  could  be 


270  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

found  to  take  an  interest  in  the  project,  and  the  en- 
tries were  limited  largely  to  the  pedigrees  of  such 
stock  as  Mr.  Allen  was  personally  familiar  with — 
notably  animals  owned  in  New  York,  Pennsylvania 
and  New  England.  It  was  not  until  the  second  vol- 
ume was  issued  in  the  autumn  of  1855  that  the 
breeders  of  the  West  came  to  the  .  support  of  the 
register.  Prior  to  that  time  some  of  the  leading 
breeders  and  importers  had  been  content  with  re- 
cording certain  of  their  animals  in  the  English  Herd 
Book.  Others  maintained,  with  more  or  less  accu- 
racy, their  own  private  records,  showing  the  lineage 
of  their  stock.  Another  large  class  preserved  no 
detailed  account  of  the  breeding  of  their  cattle,  or 
handled  their  records  so  loosely  as  to  render  them 
of  little  value. 

It  was  indeed  an  appalling  task  that  confronted 
Mr.  Allen  at  the  outset  of  his  undertaking.  It  was 
even  a  more  difficult  work  than  had  been  assumed 
by  George  Coates  in  Yorkshire  some  thirty  years 
previous.  Coates  could  throw  the  saddlebags  upon 
his  old  white  ^'nag''  and  jog  about  among  the  breed- 
ers, within  a  day's  journey,  at  his  convenience. 
Moreover  he  had  the  powerful  influence  of  Jonas 
Whitaker  at  his  back.  Mr.  Allen  had  to  collect  the 
data  of  half  a  century  of  breeding  in  the  new  world ; 
the  stock  being  mainly  in  the  possession  of  people 
unaccustomed  to  the  preservation  of  pedigree  rec- 
ords. The  cattle  were  in  the  hands  of  a  great  num- 
ber of  people  in  widely-separated  States;  scattered 


SECOXD  PERIOD  OF  ACTIVITY  271 

in  fact  throughout  an  empire  extending  from  New 
England  to  the  Central  West. 

Mr.  Allen  had  some  qualifications  for  the  work. 
He  had  been  breeding  Short-horiis  himself  in  a  mod- 
est way,  and  enjoyed  the  personal  acquaintance  of  a 
number  of  Eastern  importers,  including  such  men 
as  Col.  Powel,  F.  M.  Eotch  and  others.  The  first 
volume  was  issued  during  the  depression  of  the 
^ ^forties.''  In  the  meantime,  a  committee  of  breed- 
ers had  been  appointed  in  Kentucky  to  investigate 
and  collect  the  pedigrees  of  Short-horns  bred  in  that 
State.  The  results  of  this  committee's  investiga- 
tions were  not  published,  but  supplied  a  basis  for 
further  research. 

When  Mr.  Allen  undertook  the  second  volume  of 
the  book,  after  the  revival  of  the  ''fifties,"  he  met 
with  good  encouragement,  the  book  ultimately  ap- 
pearing in  the  autumn  of  1855  with  something  like 
3,000  pedigrees.*    The  leading  breeders  of  the  West 
had  joined  with  those  of  the  East  in  placing  the 
work  squarely  upon  its  feet.     Pedigrees  were  for- 
warded from  Kentucky  by  such  men  as  Edwin  G 
Benjamin  C.  and  George  M.  Bedford;  Dr.  R    j' 
Breckenridge,  0.  H.  Burbidge;  Brutus  J.,  Cassius 
M.,  M.  M.  and  H.  Clay  Jr. ;  Silas  Corbin,  the  Messrs 
Cunningham,  E.  T.  Dillard,  Messrs.  Dudlev    Jere 
and  William  R.  Duncan,  J.  P.  Fisher,  John  Allen 
Gano,  the  Garrards,  James  and  Reuben  Hutchcraft, 
C^.  Innes,  George  W.  Johnson,  J.  G.  Kinnaird,' 

♦This  total  includes  stock  recorded  as  produce  under  dams. 


272  A  HISTORY  OF   SHORT-HORN  CATTLE 

Samuel  D.  Martin,  James  S.  Matson,  Abram  and 
James  Renick,  the  Shakers,  the  Shropshires,  the 
Vanmeters,  Warfields  and  others.  From  Ohio  came 
the  pedigrees  of  the  cattle  of  such  breeders  as  James 
R.  Anderson,  Ezra  and  Walter  T.  Carpenter,  R.  G. 
Corwin;  John  G.,  Walter  A.  and  Robert  G.  Dun; 
James  Fullington,  John  Hadley,  H.  H.  Hankins; 
Chas.,  David  and  William  Harrold;  R.  Jackson, 
William  Neff,  Jacob  Pierce;  Felix  W.,  George  and 
Harness  Renick;  M.  L.  Sullivant,  the  Shakers  of 
Union  Village,  Allen  Trimble  and  Alexander  Wad- 
dle. From  the  farther  West  pedigrees  were  received 
— indicating  that  the  Short-horns  were  gradually 
working  their  way  toward  the  Mississippi  River — 
from  such  men  as  Hon.  John  Wentworth  of  Chi- 
cago; Capt.  James  N.  Brown  and  James  D.  Smith 
of  Sangamon  Co.,  111. ;  George  Barnett  of  Will  Co., 
111.,  and  Gen.  Sol  Meredith  of  Cambridge  City,  Ind. 
The  East  contributed  largely  from  such  herds  as 
those  of  Samuel  Thorne,  S.  *T.  Taber,  S.  P.  Chap- 
man, Messrs.  Cowles  and  Haines  of  Connecticut, 
William  Kelly  of  New  York,  Paoli  Lathrop  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, John  R.  Page  of  New  York,  J.  A.  Poole 
of  New  Jersey,  T.  P.  Remington  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  J.  T.  Sheafe,  J.  M.  Sherwood,  Lorillard  Spen- 
cer, Ambrose  Stevens  and  others  of  New  York. 

The  records  set  forth  in  these  initial  volumes  were 
not  in  all  cases  complete.  Errors  and  even  forger- 
ies crept  in,  but  the  foundation  was  laid.  Quickly 
Teoognizing  the  necessity  of  such  public  registra- 


SECOND   PEEIOD  OF   ACTIVITY  273 

tioii,  breeders  generally  co-operated  in  the  work  and 
the  herd  book  soon  attained  National  support.  It 
was  continued  as  a  private  enterprise  by  Mr.  Allen 
until  1883,  when  it  was  purchased  by  the  American 
Short-horn  Breeders'  Association. 


CHAPTER  XI 
SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK 

Thus  far  our  story  has  of  necessity  dealt  mainly 
with  foundation  facts.  We  have  sketched  briefly  the 
upbuilding  of  the  breed  in  its  native  land  and  have 
now  outlined  the  importations  that  formed  the  basis 
of  breeding  operations  in  the  United  States.  We 
pass,  therefore,  at  this  point  to  a  consideration  of 
the  more  important  results  flowing  from  the  exten- 
sive introduction  of  English  blood  already  noted. 

We  have  shown  that  the  Gough  &  Miller,  Sanders, 
Powel,  Dun  and  other  early  importations  were  util- 
ized to  the  fullest  possible  extent  in  developing  cat- 
tle-feeding as  a  leading  industry  in  the  Ohio  Valley. 
The  descendants  of  those  importations  were  bred 
before  the  days  of  herd  books  and  ^ ^fashions''  pure- 
ly for  the  practical  business  purposes  of  the  farm 
and  feed-lot.  As  illustrating  the  absence  of  preju- 
dice against  the  blood  of  the  older  importations  in 
the  early  days,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  at  a  sale 
held  by  Samuel  Smith  in  Kentucky  Sept.  11,  1838, 
the  Mrs.  Motte  ("Seventeen^')  cow  Cleopatra,  by  Ac- 
commodation (2907),  brought  $1,230,  and  her  daugh- 
ter Ellen,  by  the  great  Powel  bull  Oliver  (2387), 
$1,235— the  latter  bought  by  Dillard  &  Ferguson. 
The  bull  Oliver  Keene,  only  five  months  old,  fetched 

274 


SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  275 

$1,000  from  William  P.  Hume.    At  same  sale  Dillard 
&  Ferguson  got  imp.  Adelaide  at  $1,375,  and  imp. 
Beauty  of  Wharf  dale  went  for  $755.    For  imp.  Mary 
Ann  and  calf  Richard  Jackson  and  B.  P.  Grey  paid 
$2,100.    Evidently  the  home-bred  stock  was  as  good 
as  the  imported.     This  fact  is  also  proved  by  the 
show-yard  records  of  that  period.*    It  is  apparent 
from  the  ratings  in    these    competitions    that    the 
^^Seventeens''  were  of  good  form  and  character, 
and  that  the  Kentucky  breeders  had  kept  pace  up 
to  the  time  of  the  Ohio  Co.'s  operations  with  the 
work  of  their  brother-breeders  in   Britain.     Such 
bulls  as  Mr.  Sutton's  Frederick  575,    Capt.    War- 
field's  Pioneer  819,  Mr.  Wasson's  Otley  (4632),  Mr 
Vanmeter's  Charles    Colling   333,    Dr.    Kinnaird's 
Patrick  Henry,  Capt.  Warfield's  Oliver  (2387)  and 
Cossack    (3503),   Cunningham    &    Co.'s    Goldfinder 
(2066)  and   Mr.    Renick's    Paragon    of    the    West 
(4649)  were  prominent  among  the  early  prize-win- 
ners. Such  cows  as  Dr.  Kinnaird's  Olivia,  Mr.  Dun's 

both  first  and  second  caivef'-qrvinf^'^''''^  h  yearlings— "Seventeens" 
first  prize  and  two  seconds       rnrrl^n^  1'  ^^^  newly-imported  stock  one 

Co.;  yearling,  Ohio  Co  ralf  ''c^^^o^f^^.  ^°^^l '  ^^^-^^^^-0^.  Ohio 
two-year-old^'  "Seventeen"  ;  yearlfng  ''leveriteTn-  ?Jf  '.'^f ^^^"V^^^".i 
to\4^^earf^n%^.  ^M^^^^S'^hk^Pf^^  ^^o^yeirZTS^l 
Co.;   yearling:  LeT^on^;"^  calf    oSr  Co.          ^^^""^  two-year-old.  Ohio 


276  A  HISTOEY   OF   SIIORT-HORN"   CATTLE 

Caroline,  Mr.  Lotton's  lautlio,  Mr.  ^^allmeter's  Han- 
nah More,  Capt.  Cunningham's  Catherine  Turley 
and  Capt.  Warfield's  Helen  Eyre,  Ellen  Ware  and 
the  never-beaten  Caroline  would  be  a  credit  to  any 
modern  show-ring.  Large  numbers  of  the  prize  ani- 
mals were  sired  by  Oliver,  Goldfinder  and  Cossack. 

With  the  various  shipments  of  the  Ohio  Co.,  Vail, 
Stevens,  Morris  &  Becar,  Thorne,  the  Northern 
Kentucky  Co.  and  R.  A.  Alexander,  and  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  herd  book,  the  question  of  "caste'' 
was  projected  into  the  trade.  Time-honored  strains 
were  presently  sneered  at  by  some  who  had  invested 
in  the  blood  of  the  later  importations.  Bates  and 
his  followers  had  inoculated  some  of  the  American 
buyers  with  the  idea  of  a  select  Short-horn  aristoc- 
racy based  upon  the  "only  bloods  at  all  likely  to  do 
anybody  any  good";  and  the  American  competition 
at  the  Ducie  sale,  together  with  the  prices  paid  by 
Mr.  Thorne  for  the  Grand  Dukes  and  the  Morris  & 
Becar  cattle,  had  attracted  very  general  attention 
to  the  Bates-bred  sorts. 

A  new  era  dawns. — By  the  time  Mr.  Alexander 
brought  the  first  Duchess  blood  to  Woodburn  the 
herds  of  Kentucky  had  attained  a  high  degree  of 
excellence.  Untrammeled  by  fashion,  prejudice,  line 
breeding  and  other  latter-day  problems  the  brothers 
James  and  Abram  Eenick,  the  Vanmeters,  War- 
fields,  Bedfords,  Clays,  Jere  Duncan,  Dr.  Brecken- 
ridge,  and  their  contemporaries  on  both  sides  of  the 
Ohio  River,  had  developed  their  cattle  along  prac- 


SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  277 

tical  lines  until  they  would  bear  favorable  compari- 
son with  the  parent  herds  of  York  and  Durham. 
They  had  been  free  to  follow  the  dictates  of  their 
own  individual  judgment,  regardless  of  color,  blood 
lines  or  aught  else — save  the  one  paramount  con- 
sideration of  the  practical  utility  of  their  stock. 
They  were  selling  breeding  animals  to  go  into  Ohio, 
Virginia,  Indiana  and  Illinois,  and  with  the  creation 
of  the  great  herd  at  Woodburn  the  position  of  Ken- 
tucky as  the  center  of  Short-horn  breeding  activity 
in  AxQerica  was,  for  the  time  being,  well  assured. 

With  the  advent  of  Mr.  iVlexander's  Bates  Duch- 
ess bull  imp.  Duke  of  Airdrie  (12730)  a  new  era 
may  be  said  to  have  dawned  in  Western  Short-horn 
breeding.  Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  two 
highest-priced  cows  sold  at  auction  in  America  prior 
to  the  Civil  War — imp.  Mazurka  and  imp.  Rachel 
2d — were  representative  of  Booth  blood  the  cross 
of  the  Duke  of  Airdrie  upon  the  Kentucky-bred  cows 
proved  so  satisfactory  that  the  Bates  cattle  straight- 
way attained  a  widespread  popularity.  As  the  herds 
of  the  Central  West — the  present  seat  of  Short- 
horn power  in  America — were  primarily  founded 
by  purchase,  mainly  in  Kentucky  after  the  Duke  of 
Airdrie 's  use,  it  will  be  of  interest  to  note  briefly 
the  main  facts  concerning  his  career. 

Duke  of  Airdrie  (12730).— It  is  not  too  much  to 
say  that  this  impressive  Bates  Duchess  sire  did 
more  to  shape  the  course  of  Short-horn  breeding  in 
the  West  during  the  twenty  years  following  his  im- 


278  A  HISTORY  OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

portation  than  any  other  animal  of  that  period.  It 
will  be  remembered  (see  pages  254-256)  that  Mr. 
Alexander  brought  him  to  Kentucky  in  September, 
1855.  He  was  at  that  time  two  years  old.  He  was 
immediately  put  in  service  in  Mr.  Alexander's  mag- 
nificent herd  of  cows  and  there  had  an  extraordi- 
nary opportunity.  In  March,  1857,  he  was  let  for 
a  year  to  George  M.  Bedford  of  Bourbon  County, 
under  a  contract  permitting  the  bull  to  serve  fifty 
cows,  for  a  net  sum  of  $1,250.  Mr.  Alexander,  with 
his  usual  generosity,  permitted  substitutions  in 
cases  where  cows  failed  to  stand,  so  that  nearly 
fifty  calves  were  secured  during  the  year  he  was  on 
hire  from  Woodburn.  His  get  from  the  earlier  ser- 
vice at  Woodburn  proved  of  extraordinary  merit,  but 
his  work  while  at  Mr.  Bedford's  was  even  more  re- 
markable. AVhile  in  Bourbon  County  he  was  per- 
mitted to  serve  some  cows  for  Abram  Renick  and 
Maj.  Jere  Duncan,  and  it  was  for  years  asserted 
that  these  services  from  the  Duke  of  Airdrie  fairly 
established  the  reputation  of  the  three  brpeders 
named. 

Individually  Duke  of  Airdrie  was  perhaps  not  tlie 
equal  of  his  sire,  Duke  of  Gloster  (11382),  that  was 
imported  In^  Morris  &  Becar  into  New  York.  He  in- 
heri'ted  from  the  Duke  a  lot  of  quality  in  addition 
to  long,  level  hind  quarters  and  the  fault  of  promi- 
nent hips;  but,  like  old  Gloster,  he  proved  a  wonder- 
fully successful  sire  of  good  bulls.  He  was  prob- 
ably not  above  the  average  in  size,  with  a  short, 


SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  279 

well-carried  head,  rather  strong  horns  and  smoother 
shoulders  than  his  sire,  with  an  exceptionally 
straight  and  level  top.  He  would  probably  be  con- 
sidered at  the  present  time  as  rather  too  high  from 
the  ground,  a  characteristic,  by  the  way,  that  has 
not  been  held  to  be  so  objectionable  by  many  of  the 
Kentucky  breeders  as  by  their  brethren  of  the  North 
and  West.*  He  was  never  kept  in  high  condition. 
No  portrait  was  ever  made  of  him  in  his  prime,  but 
about  six  months  before  his  death,  when  he  was 
very  low  in  flesh,  Mr.  John  E.  Page  of  New  York 
executed  an  oil  painting  of  him,  from  a  copy  of 
which  the  picture  presented  in  this  volume  has  been 
prepared. 

George  M.  Bedford's  lease  of  ''The  Duke."— As 
one  of  the  original  demonstrators  of  the  Duke  of 
Airdrie's  outstanding  value  as  a  sire,  some  account 
of  George  M.  Bedford's  career  as  a  breeder  will 
be  of  interest.  He  began  about  1828  with  the  Long- 
horns  and  other  crosses,  together  with  some  Patton 
stock.  In  1838  he  purchased  at  Gen.  Garrard's  sale 
the  ^'Seventeen"  bull  Eclipse,  for  which  he  paid  the 


*The  late  Gen.  Sol.  Meredith  of  Indiana  once  visited  Kentucky  to 
see  among  other  noted  animals  the  $4,850  bull  imp.  Challenger  (14252), 
of  Ducie's  breeding,  a  son  of  the  4th  Duke  of  York  (10167),  owned  by 
the  Vanmeters  and  Cunningham.  The  General  was  perhaps  the  tallest 
breeder  of  Short-horns  north  of  the  Ohio  River  at  this  time.  On  visit- 
ing- the  stalls  the  owners  were  not  present,  but  the  herdsman  led  out 
Challenger  for  the  big  "Hoosier's"  examination.  While  thus  engaged 
one  of  the  Vanmeters,  who  himself  was  perhaps  over  six  feet  tall,  came 
up  and  patiently  waiting  till  the  General  was  through  and  had  ordered 
the  bull  back  to  his  stall  approached  and  said  :  "Well,  stranger,  you 
have  given  him  a  close  look  ;  what  do  you  think  of  him?"  The  General 
had  admired  the  bull  in  many  of  his  points,  and  after  mentioning  these 
concluded  by  saying  that  he  thought  the  bull  was  "rather  too  high  from 
the  ground."  Mr.  Vanmeter,  looking  up  at  the  towering  Indianian,  said: 
"Well,  sir,  I  think  you  are  the  last  man  on  the  groimd  that  should 
And  that  objection  to  the  bull." 


280  A  HISTORY   OF    SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

sum  of  $688.*  In  1842  Mr.  Bedford  acquired  an  in- 
terest in  the  cow  Rosabella,  out  of  imp.  Rose  by 
Skipton,  which,  bred  to  Sir  Alfred  969  (he  by  Rose 
of  Sharon's  only  son  Paragon  of  the  West  out  of  a 
daughter  of  Mr.  Dun's  imp.  Red  Rose  by  Ernesty), 
produced  the  prolific  white  heifer  California,  from 
which,  by  the  use  of  such  bulls  as  D  'Otley  432,  King 
Cyrus  609,  etc.,  Mr.  Bedford  bred  his  afterward  cele- 
brated family  of  Brides.  About  1853  he  bought 
three  females  descended  from  Abram  Renick's  imp. 
Harriet;  and  about  the  same  time,  in  connection 
with  Messrs.  Clay  and  Duncan,  purchased  the  im- 
ported bull  Diamond  at  the  Northern  Kentucky 
Co.'s  sale  at  $6,000.  This  proved  an  unfortunate 
investment,  as  Diamond  failed  to  breed.  The  red 
bull  King  Cyrus,  bought  of  Mr.  Renick,  was  sired 
by  Renick  903  out  of  a  granddaughter  of  imp.  Har- 
riet,   and   proved    a   remarkable    stock-getter.f    In 


*At  this  same  sale  Hon.  B.  J.  Clay  and  Mr.  Hutchcraft  paid  $1,830 
for  the  bull  Exception  (3746),  which  Mr.  Bedford  considered  the  best 
"Seventeen"  he  ever  saw.  Indeed,  upon  being  asked  in  his  later  years 
how  Exception  would  compare  with  the  best  Short-horns  of  the  present, 
he  answered :  "Well,  sir,  I  should  have  to  call  him  a  good  bull  even 
now." 

tin  connection  with  the  illustration  of  King  Cyrus,  which  appears  at 
page  166,  Vol.  II,  of  the  American  Herd  Book,  a  good  story  is  told.  If 
the  reader  will  look  at  this  picture,  it  will  be  seen  that  just  behind  the 
bull's  fore  legs  and  above  his  back  are  the  faint  outlines  of  another 
picture  which  has  been  practically  obliterated  by  the  engraver.  The 
other  picture  was  that  of  a  negro  herdsman  who  had  been  in  Mr.  Bed- 
ford's employ  for  many  years.  King  Cyrus,  when  being  shown,  had  a 
habit  of  "humping"  his  back,  and  the  colored  herdsman  upon  such  oc- 
casions would  invariably  be  found  busy  with  his  cloth  rubbing  him 
down,  as  strangers  would  suppose.  In  reality  he  was  pinching  the  bull's 
back  to  keep  it  straight.  Mr.  Page  went  to  Mr.  Bedford's  to  sketch  the 
bull.  In  showing  the  drawing  to  certain  other  breeders  one  of  the  party, 
with  a  view  toward  a  little  fun,  said  :  "The  picture  is  all  riglit,  but  it 
would  be  much  improved  if  yovi  would  sketch  the  'darky,'  who  always 
shows  him,  with  his  hand  on  the  bull's  back."  Page  thought  this  would 
make  a  good  background  and  sketched  in  the  picture  of  the  herdsman. 


SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  281 

1854  Mr.  Bedford  and  Abram  Eenick  had  bargained, 
at  the  United  States  Cattle  Show  in  Ohio,  with 
Messrs.  Coulter  for  the  imported  Booth  bull  War- 
rior (12287),  but  for  some  reason  the  sale  failed  to 
go  through.  The  incident  is  of  interest  as  illus- 
trating the  fact  that  at  that  date  the  great  Kentuckj^ 
breeders  had  not  acquired  that  fondness  for  Bates 
blood  that  afterward  characterized  their  breeding 
operations. 

At  the  time  the  Duke  of  Airdrie  was  hired  by  Mr. 
Bedford  he  owned  a  small  herd  of  Harriets,  Brides, 
Britannias  and  the  cow  Goodness  3d,  by  Senator 
2d.  The  cow  last  named  dropped  to  the  Duke  of 
Airdrie  the  1st  and  2d  Duchesses  of  Goodness,  from 
which  Mr.  Bedford  bred  his  remarkable  family  of 
that  name.  Mr.  Bedford  was  considered  one  of  the 
best  judges  not  only  of  breeding  cattle  but  of  steers 
(of  which  he  fed  a  large  number  in  his  time);  and 
it  may  be  remarked  in  passing  that  he  considered 
imp.  Goodness  (of  Mason  blood)  of  the  Northern 
Kentucky  Co.'s  importation  of  1853  as  the  best  cow 
of  that  famous  importation,  although  Mazurka  out- 
sold her  by  $1,000.  He  was  so  delighted  with  the 
Duke  of  Airdrie 's  get  that  he  afterward  purchased 
from  Mr.  Alexander  the  first  bull  calf  sired  by  the 
Duke  at  Woodburn — Bell  Duke  of  Airdrie  2552,  out 
of  Ladv  Bell  bv  2d  Duke  of  Athol.     Bell  Duke  of 


After  the  picture  was  engraved  and  sent  to  Mr.  Bedford  he  of  course 
took  great  offense  at  what  had  been  done,  and  when  Page  found  there 
was  something  wrong  he  "squared"  himself  as  best  he  could  by  having 
the  herdsman's  figure  obliterated.  He  drew  no  more  pictures,  however, 
for  George  il.  Bedford. 


282  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Airdrie  had  a  remarkable  career  in  the  show-ring, 
winning,  among  other  notable  prizes,  the  $1,000 
sweepstakes  at  St.  Louis  in  1858  and  the  champion- 
ship at  same  show  in  1860.  The  Harriet  cow  Atos- 
sa,  by  King  Cyrus,  to  a  service  by  the  imported 
Duke  dropped  Grand  Duke  2933,  that  was  also  a  St. 
Louis  winner  as  a  two-year-old. 

Mr.  Bedford  was  a  man  of  very  decided  convic- 
tions and  prejudices  and  was  not  always  consistent. 
He  became  a  great  opponent  of  the  "Seventeens" 
and  found  fault  with  the  breeding  of  some  of  the 
Louans.  At  the  same  time  his  own  cattle  of  that 
family  had  the  cross  of  Dun's  imj).  Eed  Kose  by  Er- 
nesty;  while  his  beautiful  Brides  and  his  Zoras  went 
direct  to  Eose  by  Skipton.  It  was  largely  on  account 
of  Mr.  Bedford's  caustic  criticism  of  these  other 
strains  that  the  late  Mr.  Parks  of  Glen  Flora  (Illi- 
nois) raised  the  question  of  the  purity  of  the  breed- 
ing of  the  Dun  importation — a  striking  exemplifica- 
tion of  the  fact  that  people  who  occupy  glass  houses 
should  not  throw  stones  at  their  neighbors'  roofs. 
George  M.  Bedford  was  an  eminently  successful 
producer  of  good  cattle,  but  the  love  of  Bates  blood 
engendered  by  his  successful  use  of  the  Duke  of 
Airdrie  and  his  sons  finally  drew  him  into  unfortu- 
nate pedigree  speculations  in  that  line  of  breeding. 

Jere  Duncan  ajid  Duke  of  Airdrie  2743. — Promi- 
nent among  the  great  bulls,  sired  by  imp.  Duke  of 
Airdrie  while  at  Mr.  Bedford's  was  Maj.  Jere  Dun- 
can's Duke  of  Airdrie  2743.    Duncan  was  the  orig- 


SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  283 

inator  of  a  family  of  cattle  known  as  the  Louans, 
that  played  a  prominent  part  in  Ohio,  Kentucky  and 
Western  breeding  herds  and  show-rings  for  many 
years,  gaining  many  championship  prizes  and  com- 
manding great  prices.     The   original  cow  of  that 
name  was  bred  by  George  H.  Williams  and  was  sired 
by  imp.  Otley  (4632).    She  produced  eight  calves,  in- 
cluding the  famous  show  bull  Perfection  810,  sold  to 
E.  G.  Bedford.    In   Duncan's   hands   was    another 
family  of  Powel  origin  known  as  the  Eubys.     Both 
sorts  were  bred  to  such  bulls  as  D 'Otley  432,  Prince 
Albert  2d  857  and  Sir  Alfred  969,  and  one  of  the 
Ruby  cows,  bred  to  the  latter,  produced  the  famous 
prize  cow  Nannie  Williams.     Her  sire,  Sir  Alfred, 
was  one  of  the  noted  bulls  of  his  time,  and  was  bred 
by  Dr.  Kinnaird  of  Fayette  Co.,  from  Paragon  of 
the  West  (4649)  and  the  handsome  and  prolific  Red 
Rose  (by  Ernesty)   cow  Mira.     He  was  sold  when 
about  two  years  old  to  Messrs.  Bedford  of  Bourbon 
County,  and  was  described   as   a   light   roan,   with 
straight  top  and  bottom  lines,  good  head,  smooth 
shoulders,  fine  heart-girth,  broad  ribs,  good  flank 
and  level  quarters.    He  sired  many  valuable  cattle 
while  in  Bourbon  County,  including  Mr.  Bedford's 
cow   California,   already  mentioned,   but   owes   his 
fame  largely  to  Nannie  Williams.     Sir  Alfred  was 
owned  for  a  time  by  James  S.  Duncan,  son  of  Maj. 
Duncan,  but  becoming  ^n3reechy"  was  given  to  a  rel- 
ative in  Tennessee  and  died  while  en  route  to  that 
State. 


284  A  HISTORY   OF    SHORT-HOBX   CATTLE 

Duke  of  Airdrie  2743,  dropped  by  Nannie  Wil- 
liams in  February,  1858,  to  a  service  by  imp.  Duke 
of  Airdrie,  proved  a  first-class  show  bull,  winning  a 
championship  as  a  two-year-old  at  the  Bourbon 
County  Fair  in  1860.  He  was  second  at  the  Ohio 
State  Fair  the  same  year  and  second  at  the  United 
States  Fair  as  well.  As  a  three-year-old  he  swept 
the  decks  at  the  Fayette,  Bourbon  and  Harrison  Co. 
(Ky.)  Fairs,  and  in  1863  was  first-prize  and  cham- 
pion bull  at  the  Kentucky  State  Show.  In  1866,  at 
eight  years  of  age,  he  won  first  prize  as  the  best  aged 
bull  at  the  Bourbon  County  Fair.  One  of  his  sons, 
Duncan's  Airdrie  5615,  a  Louan,  was  a  first-prize 
and  champion  bull  at  the  leading  Kentucky  and  Ohio 
shows  from  1865  to  1873 ;  but  as  a  sire  Duncan 's 
Duke  was  specially  distinguished  as  a  heifer-getter, 
fairly  making  the  reputation  of  the  Louans;  speci- 
mens of  which  for  many  years  were  great  prize-win- 
ners at  leading  shows.  He  was  the  bull  to  which 
Mr.  AVarfield  bred  Miss  Wiley  4th,  securing  from 
that  service  the  great  show  cow  Loudon  Duchess  2d. 

Abrajn  Renick  and  Airdrie  2478. — None  profited 
more  largely  by  the  services  of  imp.  Duke  of  Airdrie 
than  Mr.  Abram  Renick,  who  sent  his  Rose  of 
Sharon  show  cow  Duchess,  by  Buena  Msta  299,  to 
be  bred  to  the  Woodburn  Duke.  The  issue  was  the 
celebrated  Airdrie  2478 — the  bull  that  made  the  rep- 
utation of  Mr.  Renick  and  his  Rose  of  Sharon  tribe. 

Abram  Renick,  who  was  of  the  same  family  as  the 
Ohio  Renicks,  had  been  a  member  of  the  original 


SOME  HISTOEIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  285 

Ohio  Importing  Co.,  and    bred    Sliort-liorns    for  a 
number  of  years  in    connection    with    his    brother 
James.     They  owned  imp.  Harriet,  imp.  Illustrious 
and  imp.  Josephine,  and  had  bought   in    Ohio    the 
heifer  Thames,  by  Shakespeare  961  out  of  Lady  of 
the  Lake,  daughter  of  imp.  Rose  of  Sharon  by  Belve- 
dere—for which  cow  Mr.  Eenick  paid  Mr.  Bates  in 
England  $700.    From  Thames  descended  the  entire 
Eenick  Rose  of  Sharon  family.    The  blood  of  these 
Ohio  cows  was  more  or  less  intermingled  during  the 
earlier  years  of  Mr.  Renick's  breeding.     That  of 
imp.  Illustrious  was  utilized  through  the  medium  of 
such  bulls  as  Young  Comet  Halley  1134  and  Ashland 
220;  the  Harriet  blood  through  Pilot  817,  and  that 
of  imp.  Josephine  through  Buena  Vista  299,  the  in- 
bred Josephine  Renick  903  and  General  Winfield 
Scott  530.    Rose  of  Sharon's  blood  came  in  not  only 
through  her  granddaughter  Thames  but  in  the  bull 
line  through  the  imported  cow's  only  son,  Paragon 
of  the  West  (4649).    Thames  had  been  bred  in  1845 
and  1846  to  Prince  Charles  2d  861,  tracing  to  imp. 
Blossom  by  Fitz  Favorite  (1042).     The  progeny  in 
the  one  case  was  the  heifer  Red  Rose  and  in  the  other 
the  heifer  Dorothy.     Red  Rose,  bred  to  Ashland, 
produced  the  roan  Poppy  in  1849,  and  she  in  turn,' 
bred  to  Renick  903,  gave  birth  in  1853  to  the  light 
roan  heifer  Norah.    Red  Rose,  bred  to  Buena  Vista,* 

r^-n?rr  T^^K^r  ^'^?  ^^^  *^^  ^^"^  ^""  Cossack,  alias  Julius  Ceesar 
(3o03),  bred  by  Mr.  Clay  and  sold  to  P.  Warfleld.  Cossack  (3503)  was 
by  Cossack  (1880).  bred  by  Richard  Booth  at  Studley  from  the^W 
Killerby  Moss  Rose  tribe. 


286  A  HISTORY   OF    SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

produced  in  1850  the  red-and-wliite  heifer  Duchess, 
that  afterward  became  the  dam  of  Airdrie  2478.  A 
few  cows  were  also  bred  to  the  Tanqueray  bull  John 
o'  Gaunt  (11621),  imported  into  Bourbon  County  by 
Mr.  Matson  in  1852.  To  a  service  by  this  bull  Duch- 
ess produced  in  1853  the  heifer  Ophelia.  These  cows 
were  among  the  noted  matrons  of  the  Eose  of  Sha- 
ron family  in  the  Eenick  herd. 

Airdrie  2478  was  a  red,  with  little  white,  of  only 
medium  size.  In  good  thrifty  breeding  condition  he 
weighed  about  1,900  lbs.  at  full  maturity.  He  was 
repeatedly  shown  by  Mr.  Eenick,  but  was  never  made 
fat  enough  to  weigh  more  than  2,100  lbs.,  although 
he  could  have  been  made  to  carry  2,200  lbs.  in  ex- 
cessively high  flesh.  He  was  very  symmetrical  in 
conformation ;  smooth,  neat  and  stylish,  with  no  se- 
rious faults.  Airdrie  may  safely  be  listed  as  one  of 
America's  greatest  progenitors  of  valuable  Short- 
horns ;  imparting  finish  and  quality  with  a  rare  de- 
gree of  uniformity  to  his  progeny.  Like  his  sire, 
the  imported  Duke,  he  was  more  impressive  as  a 
stock-getter  than  as  an  individual  animal.  Duncan's 
Duke  of  Airdrie,  as  already  noted,  proved  a  won- 
derful heifer-getter,  but  Airdrie  2478  gained  lasting 
fame  as  a  sire  of  bulls.  He  was  used  by  Mr.  Eenick 
for  a  period  of  about  twelve  years  to  the  fullest  pos- 
sible extent,  the  only  limit  to  his  service  in  the  herd 
being  placed  upon  his  own  daughters,  some  of  which 
were  afterward  bred  with  success  to  the  13th  Duke 
of  Airdrie  5535 ;  the  splendid  cow  Poppy  5th  being 


SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  287 

thus  produced.  For  several  generations  none  but 
sons  and  grandsons  of  Airdrie  or  imp.  Duke  of  Air- 
drie  were  kept  in  service. 

Airdrie  a  bull-breeder. — Among  Airdrie 's  great- 
est sons  may  be  mentioned  Sweepstakes  6230,  after- 
ward famous  in  the  show  herd  of  Mr.  Pickrell  of 
Illinois;  Joe  Johnson  10294;  the  inbred  Airdrie  3d 
13320  out  of  Duchess  2d  by  Pilot— all  Rose  of  Sha- 
rons;  and  Yanmeter's  Dick  Taylor  5508  and  Airdrie 
Duke  5306;  both  great  heifer-getters,  out  of  the 
Young  Phyllis  cows  Ruth  and  Ruth  2d.  Sweep- 
stakes' remarkable  career  in  the  AYest  will  be  no- 
ticed further  on.  Joe  Johnson  was  almost  a  fac 
simile  of  Sweepstakes,  the  only  difference  being 
that  the  former  was  rather  a  finer  bull.  They  were 
both  exceedingly  successful  in  the  show-yard.  Joe 
Johnson  once  gained  a  champion  prize  at  the  Bour- 
bon County  Fair,  with  something  over  twenty  bulls 
in  the  ring,  probably  as  good  a  lot  as  were  ever 
shown  at  one  time  in  the  State.*  About  the  only 
objection  that  was  urged  against  either  of  these  bulls 
was  their  color.  The  ^' craze''  for  red  cattle  was  al- 
ready setting  in,  and  both  Sweepstakes  and  Joe 
Johnson  had  too  much  white  to  suit  the  public  taste. 
They  had  white  spots  to  the  extent  of  perhaps  one- 

*Joe  Johnson  was  a  successful  prize-taker  in  Kentuckv,  and  also 
stood  at  the  head  of  the  $300  prize  herd,  composed  wholly  of  Rose  of 
Sharons,  at  the  Ohio  State  Fair  of  1870.  He  was  the  sire — among  other 
high-priced  cattle — of  the  heifer  Duchess  10th,  sold  in  1872  to  Earl  Dun- 
more  at  $5,000.  He  represented  a  double  cross  of  imp.  Duke  of  Airdrie. 
having  been  sired  by  Airdrie  2478  out  of  Cordelia  by  Dandy  Duke  2691. 
The  latter  was  a  red-roan  bull  Mr.  Renlck  had  secured  by  breeding 
Easterday  (daughter  of  Poppy)  by  Pilot  817,  to  imp.  Duke  of  Airdrie 
(12730). 


288  A   HISTORY   OF    SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

foiirtli  of  their  entire  color.  Airdrie  3d  was  quite 
a  successful  show  bull  also.  Had  he  been  as  perfect 
behind  as  he  was  in  front  he  would  have  been  fairly 
invincible.  At  one  time  bulls  sired  by  Airdrie  were 
gaining  prizes  at  all  of  the  best  fairs  of  Kentucky, 
Tennessee,  Missouri  and  Illinois  almost  without  de- 
feat. 

Inbreeding  of  the  Roses  of  Sharon. — Mr.  Renick 
was  so  pleased  with  the  results  of  Airdrie 's  use  that 
he  adopted  a  comprehensive  course  of  in-and-in 
breeding,  using  the  sons  and  grandsons  of  the  bull 
for  many  years  with  great  success,  attracting  the  at- 
tention of  the  entire  cattle-breeding  world.  John 
Thornton,  the  veteran  Short-horn  salesman  of  Eng- 
land, who  visited  America  after  the  Airdrie  blood 
had  been  thoroughly  concentrated  in  the  Eenick 
herd,  said: 

"I  saw  the  bull  Airdrie,  rising  thirteen  years  old,  a  magnifi- 
cent animal,  not  too  large  but  exceedingly  symmetrical,  stylish 
and  handsome,  with  a  splendid  head  and  fine  masculine  char- 
acter. The  cows  and  heifers  were  called  from  the  fields  by  a  lot 
of  negroes— men,  women  and  children— and  it  was  wonderful  to 
observe  the  singular  uniformity  and  great  excellence  of  the  cattle 
as  they  walked  past  to  a  corner  of  the  field  where  they  stood  to 
be  milked.  The  heifers,  mostly  by  Airdrie,  were  splendid  ani- 
mals, combining  great  length,  elegance  and  sweetness  of  character 
with  rich  full  colors,  roan  or  red  hair,  good  form  and  great  sub- 
stance. Some  of  the  older  cows  were  thinner  and  slightly  lame, 
owing  as  it  was  said,  to  the  thick  cornstalks  fastening  in  their 
hoofs.'  The  calves  were  also  good,  and  two  or  three  young  bulls 
were  of  great  promise.  Seeing  how  very  superior  this  herd  was 
and  how  closely  it  was  in-and-in  bred  I  was  induced  to  ask  Mr. 
Renick  how  he  came  to  take  such  a  course.  He  told  me  he  took 
up  the  herd  books  and  saw  what  Colling,  Mason  and  other  early 


SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  289 

breeders  had  done,  and  he  thought  he  would  do  the  same  thing; 
his  neighbors  thought  he  would  ruin  his  stock,  but  he  thought 
that  he  had  got  quite  as  good  as  any  of  them." 

At  the  time  of  Mr.  Thornton's  visit  (1869)  every 
animal  in  the  herd  was  of  Mr.  Eenick's  own  breed- 
ing. Not  only  that,  but  their  dams,  grandams,  great- 
grandams  and  even  great-great-grandams  had  been 
bred  on  the  farm — certainly  a  fact  unique  in  the  his- 
tory of  Short-horn  breeding  in  the  United  States. 
For  years  he  declined  to  part  with  any  Eose  of  Sha- 
ron females  at  any  valuation,  but  latterly  high  prices 
tempted  him  to  do  so.  He  has  generally  been  re- 
garded as  one  of  the  greatest  constructive  breeders 
ever  identified  with  Short-horn  breeding  in  America. 
A  disciple  of  Thomas  Bates,  and  like  that  famous 
breeder  without  immediate  family,  Mr.  Renick  was 
thoroughly  devoted  to  his  cattle  and  made  them  the 
subject  of  his  most  untiring  personal  attention.*  He 


♦Visitors  at  shows  where  Mr.  Renick  was  exhibiting  his  cattle  were 
very  apt  to  find  him  feeding  or  currying  his  stock  with  his  own  hands. 
He  was  particularly  wrapped  up  in  old  Airdrie,  and  upon  such  occa- 
sions would  usually  be  found  near  him.  Perhaps  the  best  show  Mr. 
Renick  ever  made  was  the  year  that  the  Kentucky  State  Fair  was  held 
in  Bourbon  County.  He  had  an  exhibit  in  nearly  every  ring  and  never 
came  out  without  a  ribbon,  usually  a  blue  one.  In  some  classes  he 
gained  both  first  and  second.  One  of  the  best  exhibits  he  made  at  this 
show  was  for  a  prize  for  bull  with  five  or  six  of  his  get.  He  had  taken 
Airdrie  up  out  of  the  pasture  without  preparation,  and  with  him  and 
his  progeny  won  the  group  prize  over  a  number  of  competitors.  Airdrie 
was  then  eight  or  nine  years  old. 

Speaking  of  this  event  Mr.  Ben  F.  Vanmeter  says :  "I  do  not  think 
I  ever  saw  Mr.  Renick  enjoy  a  day  more  than  he  did  this  one.  As  he 
came  out  of  the  ring  leading  old  Airdrie  a  gentleman  from  Ohio  sent 
an  intimate  friend  of  Uncle  Abe's  to  me  with  a  request  that  I  go  with 
him  to  see  if  he  could  not  get  a  price  on  the  old  bull.  I  told  him  it  was 
a  waste  of  time,  but  he  insisted  and  we  went.  We  readily  found  Mr. 
Renick,  and  my  friend  Taylor  lost  no  time  in  broaching  the  subject 
The  old  man  was  at  first  almost  ready  to  take  it  as  an  insult.  Then  he 
suspected  us  of  playing  a  joke  on  him.  Taylor  finally  told  him  that  he 
considered  the  bull  nearly  worn  out,  but  was  satisfied  that  his  Ohio 
friend  would  give  $1,000  for  him.  The  old  man  then  straightened  him- 
self up  two  or  three  inches  above  his  normal  height  and  with  his  fist 
tightly  closed  and  eyes  flashing  exclaimed:  'A.  national  bank  can't  buy 
him!    If  I  outlive  him  he  will  die  mine.'  " 


290  A  HISTORY   OF    SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

was  always  partial  to  the  golden-skinned  yellow- 
reds,  and  insisted  that  Short-horns  of  that  color 
were  invariably  better  feeders  and  possessed  more 
quality  than  the  dark  reds,  in  which  contention  he 
had  the  nnanimons  acquiescence  of  the  most  experi- 
enced breeders.  Of  liis  subsequent  purchase  and  use 
of  the  4th  Duke  of  Geneva  we  shall  have  occasion  to 
speak  elsewhere.  The  mingling  of  the  Duchess  blood 
with  that  of  the  Eoses  of  Sharon,  thus  reuniting  the 
Bates  lines,  proved  in  this  case  a  successful  opera- 
tion; a  fine  illustration  being  seen  in  the  case  of  the 
celebrated  pair  of  ^'Genevas,"  Minnie's  Duchess  of 
Geneva  and  Poppy's  Duchess  of  Geneva,  familiarly 
known  as  ''Big  Geneva"  and  ''Little  Geneva,''  sired 
by  2d  Duke  of  Geneva.*  These  fine  cows  had  a  re- 
markable show-yard  career,  "Little  Geneva"  usu- 
ally winning  the  blue  ribbon  and  her  larger  sister 
the  red  whenever  exhibited.  They  rarely  lowered 
their  colors  in  any  company. 

The  Vanmeters. — The  State  of  Kentucky  was  for- 
tunate in  possessing  distinguished  families  of  Short- 
horn breeders  who,  like  the  Messrs.  Booth  in  Eng- 
land, displayed  an  hereditary  love  for  cattle  and  for 
several  succeeding  generations  bred  Short-horns 
with  a  high  degree  of  skill  and  intelligence.  We 
have  already  noted  the  prominent  part  played  by 
Messrs.  George,  Felix  and  Abram  Renick  and  may 


*2d  Duke  of  Geneva  5562  was  bred  by  J.  O.  Sheldon  and  bought  by 
Edwin  Bedford,  whose  success  with  the  Loudon  Duchesses,  etc.,  gave 
him  rank  among  the  leading  Kentucky  breeders  of  his  time.  The  2d 
Duke  died  young,  leaving  a  limited  number  of  calves,  but  they  were  as 
a  rule  exceptionally  good. 


SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  291 

now  mention  the  Vanineters  as  worthy  of  rank 
among  those  who  contributed  most  to  the  extension 
of  Short-horn  breeding  in  the  West.  To  them  the 
West  is  indebted  for  the  Young  Marys  and  Young 
Phyllises  to  be  found  in  almost  every  good  herd. 

About  the  year  1817  Mr.  Isaac  Yanmeter,  who  was 
a  native  of  Hardy  Co.,  Ya. — in  the  valley  of  the 
South  Branch  of  the  Potomac — emigrated  to  Ken- 
tucky and  soon  afterward  married  a  daughter  of 
Capt.  Isaac  Cunningham,  another  Yirginian  who  had 
purchased,  early  in  the  present  century,  the  farm 
and  some  of  the  stock  of  Mr.  Matthew  Patton,  who 
had  introduced  the  Gough  &  Miller  blood  into  Ken- 
tucky. The  elder  Yanmeter  and  Capt.  Cunningham 
formed  a  partnership  for  the  purpose  of  carrying 
on  farming  and  cattle-breeding  operations  in  Clark 
Co.,  Ky.,  and  in  1834  they  took  stock  in  the  newly- 
organized  Ohio  Importing  Co.,  acquiring  from  that 
company's  selections  imp.  Young  Mary,  with  heifer 
calf  Pocahontas;  imp.  Young  Phyllis,  with  heifer 
calf  Catherine  Turley,  and  imp.  Lavinia,  together 
with  the  bull  Goldfincler  (2066).  Capt.  Cunningham 
also  purchased  an  interest  in  imp.  Matchem  (2283). 
Prior  to  this  time  Messrs.  Yanmeter  &  Cunningham 
had  bred  for  some  twenty  years  a  large  herd  prin- 
cipally descended  from  the  original  Patton  stock, 
upon  which  had  been  used,  among  others,  the  noted 
bull  Rising  Sun.*     Lavinia,  after  producing  a  bull 


*Capt.  Cunningham  died  in  1842,  making  the  sons  of  his  daughter, 
Mrs.  Solomon  Vanmeter,  executors  of  a  good  estate.  Mr.  Isaac  Van- 
meter  died  in  1854,  leaving  his  son,  Ben  F.  Vanmeter,  then  but  twenty- 


292  A  HISTORY   OF    SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

calf,  died,  but  Young  Phyllis  and  Young  Mary 
proved  among  the  most  useful  cows  of  the  breed 
ever  brought  to  America.  As  in  the  case  of  the 
Renick  herd,  the  blending  of  the  blood  of  these  Ohio 
Co.  cows  with  that  of  imp.  Duke  of  Airdrie  resulted 
in  the  production  of  an  excellent  class  of  cattle. 

Young  Phyllis. — This  cow  ranked  as  one  of  the 
best  of  her  day  in  America.  In  fact  she  has  repeat- 
edly been  called  the  best  of  all  Short-horn  cows  of 
her  time  owned  in  the  State  of  Kentucky.  Unfor- 
tunately she  died  young,  leaving  but  three  or  four 
calves.  She  produced,  besides  Catherine  Turley,  a 
heifer  named  Eliza  Woods,  by  Matchem,  and  the 
prize  bull  John  Randolph  603,  by  Goldfinder.  Eliza 
Woods  was  rather  disappointing  as  an  individual, 
although  some  excellent  cattle  descended  from  her. 
Her  sire,  Matchem,  was  a  large,  stylish  bull ;  rather 
coarse  in  his  conformation  and  of  a  vicious  disposi- 
tion. Quite  a  number  of  his  get  were  unpopular  on 
account  of  their  dark-colored  noses.  Catherine  Tur- 
ley is  said  to  have  been  a  cow  of  fine  character.  She 
was  much  inclined  to  make  flesh  and  unfortunately 


one  years  of  age,  sole  executor  of  an  estate  quite  as  large  as  that  left 
by  Capt.  Cunningham.  Mr.  Ben  F.  Vanmeter's  elder  brother,  Solomon, 
who  died  at  forty  years  of  age,  proved  himself  also  a  most  capable 
breeder  and  when  the  Northern  Kentucky  Importing  Co.  was  organ- 
ized in  1853  he  was  selected  as  Clark  County's  representative  upon  the 
committee  sent  to  England  to  buy  the  cattle  constituting  that  memor- 
able purchase.  Ben  F.  Vanmeter  was  a  mere  lad  at  this  date  attending 
college  at  Danville,  Ky,  Learning  of  the  proposed  expedition  to  Eng- 
land after  cattle,  he  pleaded  earnestly  to  be  allowed  to  leave  school  and 
accompany  the  committee.  He  was  given  the  choice  of  either  going  or 
remaining  and  graduating  that  spring.  Without  hesitation  he  aban- 
doned his  aspirations  in  reference  to  a  diploma  and  accompanied  his 
brother  upon  a  tour  of  the  Short-horn  herds  of  Great  Britain.  In  later 
years  he  attained  international  reputation  not  only  as  a  breeder  of 
high-class  cattle  of  the  Vanmeter  tribes,  but  also  in  connection  with  the 
notable  operations  of  Abram  Renick  with  the  Roses  of  Sharon. 


SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  293 

was  allowed  to  become  so  fat  that  she  stopped  breed- 
ing. From  her  descended  such  famous  bulls  as  Dick 
Taylor  5508,  Airdrie  Duke  5306,  Clarendon  2634, 
Mr.  PickrelPs  $3,000  Baron  Lewis  and  many  other 
old-time  celebrities. 

Dick  Taylor  5508  was  one  of  the  best  stock-getters 
produced  by  the  Phyllis  family.  He  was  a  red,  bred 
by  Dr.  J.  J.  Taylor  and  Abram  Vanmeter,  and  rep- 
resented a  peculiarly  rich  combination  of  the  best 
blood  introduced  into  the  Ohio  Valley  up  to  the  time 
of  his  production  in  1863.  Sired  by  the  Duke  of 
Airdrie-crossed  Rose  of  Sharon  bull  Airdrie  2478, 
he  had  for  dam  Euth  by  the  $4,850  bull  imp.  Chal- 
lenger (14252)  ;  second  dam  Maria  Edgeworth  by 
Arthur  Watts'  Prince  Albert  2d  857,  carrying  much 
of  the  best  of  the  Ohio  Importing  Co.'s  blood;  and 
his  third  dam,  Susan  Turley,  was  by  Cossack  (3503), 
son  of  the  richly-bred  Booth  bull  Cossack  (1880), 
that  will  be  remembered  as  the  sire  of  Abram  Ren- 
ick's  Buena  Vista  299.  Dick  Taylor  proved  par- 
ticularly successful  when  mated  with  the  descendants 
of  imp.  Young  ]\Iary.  Indeed  one  branch  of  that 
tribe  became  so  celebrated  throughout  the  West  that 
it  was  given  (and  still  bears)  his  name.  He  was  re- 
peatedly shown  with  success,  and  upon  one  occasion 
gained  a  $100  sweepstake  against  several  of  the  most 
noted  sires  of  the  day  for  best  ^ve  calves  the  get  of 
one  bull.  We  cannot  in  the  space  at  our  command 
make  detailed  reference  to  the  many  distinguisherl 
animals  sired  by  Dick  Taylor.  We  should,  however, 
perhaps  mention  his  two  sons,  Washington  9284  and 


294  A  HISTORY  OF   SHOET-HORN  CATTLE 

Dick  Taylor  2d  16637,  bred  by  the  Messrs.  Sudduth. 
The  former  belonged  to  the  Leslie  branch  of  the 
Marys,  tracing  from  the  show  cow  Hannah  More, 
and  won  a  great  many  first  and  sweepstakes  prizes 
at  the  Kentucky  shows  from  1869  to  1871.  Dick 
Taylor  2d,  a  few  years  later,  was  one  of  the  ruling 
show-yard  champions  of  Kentucky  and  was  sold  for 
$1,100. 

Airdrie  Duke  5306,  like  Dick  Taylor,  was  a  red 
son  of  Mr.  Renick's  Airdrie  2478.  His  dam,  the 
Phyllis  cow  Euth  2d,  was  by  Mr.  Alexander's  fa- 
mous prize  bull  exp.  2d  Duke  of  Airdrie  2744,  so 
that  he  represented  a  double  cross  of  the  Airdrie- 
Duchess  blood.  Airdrie  Duke  was  bred  by  Abram 
Vanmeter,  and  was  one  of  the  great  heifer-getters 
of  Kentucky  in  the  later  sixties.  Like  Dick  Taylor, 
he  made  a  pronounced  ''hit''  when  mated  with  the 
Marys.  His  greatest  daughter  was  probably  Ben  F. 
Vanmeter 's  renowned  Young  Mary  show  cow  Red 
Rose  8th,  the  best  Short-horn  cow  Mr.  Vanmeter 
ever  bred.  Another  celebrated  show  cow  got  by  Air- 
drie Duke  was  the  roan  Phoebe  Taylor  of  the  Po- 
mona family,  that  gained  prizes  all  over  the  West- 
ern, country  from  1871  to  1874  in  the  herd  of  J.  H. 
Kissinger.  He  was  also  sire  of  the  Mary  cow  Miss 
Washington  2d,  that  sold  for  $1,000,  whose  daughter 
by  4th  Duke  of  Geneva  brought  a  like  price,  and  of 
the  $3,200  Poppy's  Julia  and  the  $2,000  Princess 
cow  Princessa  2d. 

Another  branch  of  the  Phyllis  tribe  that  acquired 


SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  295 

high  repute  in  Kentucky  was  bred  by  John  W. 
Prewitt  of  Clark  County  from  the  roan  cow  Gentle 
Annie,  by  imp.  Challenger  (14252),  that  was  bought 
by  Mr.  Prewitt  at  the  administrator's  sale  of  the 
Solomon  Vanmeter  cattle  in  1859.  She  was  a  grand- 
daughter of  Susan  Turley. 

Young  Phyllis  was  of  a  rich  roan  color,  with  neat 
head,  small,  crumpled  horns,  short,  neat  neck,  fine 
shape  and  style  and  a  first-class  show  cow  in  her  day. 
She  was  frequently  exhibited  at  the  fairs  in  Ken- 
tucky when  in  her  prime  and  never  failed  to  receive 
the  first  prize  when  in  the  ring  except  once,  and 
then  she  received  the  second.  Although  imported 
for  Mr.  Harness  in  1834  at  a  cost  of  $1,500,  she 
passed  to  the  possession  of  Capt.  Isaac  Cunning- 
ham and  Mr.  Isaac  Vanmeter  in  1836  and  remained 
the  property  of  the  latter  until  she  became  barren 
and  was  slaughtered.  Catherine  Turley  was  be- 
gotten in  England  and  calved  at  Sycamore,  in  Ken- 
tucky, soon  after  her  arrival. 

Young  Mary.  —  This  celebrated  cow  and  her 
daughter  Pocahontas,  sold  at  the  Ohio  Co.'s  sale  of 
1836  to  Mr.  Harness  for  $1,500,  were  bought  and 
taken  to  Kentucky  that  same  year  by  Messrs.  Van- 
meter &  Cunningham.  Although  not  a  show  cow 
like  Young  Phyllis,  Young  Mary  was  one  of  the 
practical,  profitable  sort  that  often  do  more  for  their 
owners  than  animals  of  show-yard  character.  She 
is  described  as  having  been  a  large  cow  of  striking- 
appearance,  a  light  roan  in  color  with  some  white. 


296  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

especially  on  her  legs.  Her  horns,  which  were  in- 
clined to  be  '^crumpled,"  were  rather  strong  and 
well  carried  out  from  her  head,  which  was  broad 
and  well  shaped,  with  a  good  full  eye.  Her  neck 
was  rather  thin,  shoulders  smooth,  back  broad,  rib 
deep,  udder  large  and  good.  In  fact  she  was  an  ex- 
traordinary milker — one  of  the  best  dairy  cows  ever 
owned  in  the  Vanmeter  herds.  She  was  a  remark- 
ably prolific  breeder,  and  during  the  first  month  or 
six  weeks  after  calving  (if  on  grass)  could  be  de- 
pended upon  to  yield  a  large  pailful  of  milk  morn- 
ing and  evening  after  the  calf  had  drawn  its  fill. 
Unfortunately  Isaac  Vanmeter 's  private  herd  rec- 
ords were  lost  or  destroyed  during  the  Civil  War, 
but  it  is  a  commonly-accepted  fact  that  Young  Mary 
lived  to  be  about  twenty  years  old  and  died  after 
having  given  birth  to  her  sixteenth  calf. 

She  produced  but  four  bulls ;  two  of  them — Davy 
Crockett  and  Logan — were  dropped  while  she  was 
in  the  possession  of  the  Ohio  Co.  The  former  was 
purchased  by  Mr.  P.  L.  Ayres  of  Ohio  for  $490  for 
use  upon  unrecorded  stock.  Logan  was  bought  by 
Elias  Florence  of  Ohio  for  $750.  In  Kentucky 
Young  Mary  produced  a  red-and-white  bull  calf 
named  Romulus,  by  Matchem  (2283),  that  was  sold 
while  young  to  James  Stonestreet  of  Clark  County, 
in  whose  hands  he  was  bred  to  but  few  pure-bred 
cows.  The  last  calf  she  ever  produced  that  lived  to 
be  useful  was  the  roan  bull  Tom  Bigbee,  by  Prince 
Albert  2d,  calved  in  1848  and  sold  while  young  to 


SOME  HISTOEIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  297 

Kice  Campbell  of  Bourbon  County.  He  proved  quite 
a  good  show  bull. 

Young  Mary^s  female  produce  after  Pocahontas 
cannot  now  be  named  in  the  order  of  their  respec- 
tive ages.  Her  next  calf  was  the  bull  Romulus  above 
mentioned,  and  then  followed  five  heifer  calves  by 
Goldfinder  (2066),*  to- wit:  Hannah  More,  Judith 
Clark,  Sarah  Hopkins,  Lilac  and  Florida,  all  of 
which  were  very  superior  and  lived  to  be  useful 
cows.  All  of  these  except  Sarah  Hopkins  were  owned 
by  Isaac  Vanmeter  as  long  as  he  or  they  lived.  Sarah 
Hopkins  was  given  to  Mr.  Vanmeter 's  son,  I.  C.  Van- 
meter,  who  sold  her  after  a  few  years  to  George  W. 
Sutton  of  Fayette  County. 

The  records  do  not  reveal  further  facts  of  interest 
concerning  Young  Mary's  progeny.  All  that  is 
known  is  that  she  was  a  regular  breeder  of  good 
stock  and  lived  to  an  extreme  age.  The  great  fam- 
ily of  Young  Marys,  still  so  popular  throughout  the 
United  States,  has  descended  from  the  Goldfinder 
heifers  and  Pocahontas  above  mentioned.  Probably 
the  best  individual  of  all  of  Young  Mary's  daugh- 
ters was  Hannah  More.  She  was  exhibited  at  all 
of  the  leading  Kentucky  shows  and  was,  we  believe, 
never  defeated.  Her  sisters  were  almost  as  good, 
but  Hannah  More  and  Pocahontas,  in  particular,  like 
their  Phyllis  companion  Catherine  Turley,  proved 

*Imp.  Goldfinder  (2066)  was  taken  to  Kentucky  in  1836  and  was 
successfully  used  for  many  years,  largely  In  Clark  and  Fayette  Counties, 
although  he  died  the  property  of  Joel  Scott  in  Franklin  County.  Few 
better  sires  were  known  at  that  time.  He  was  a  large,  rich  roan,  light- 
bodied  and  somewhat  leggy,  high-styled  and  impressive. 


298  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

mines  of  wealth  to  Kentucky  and  the  West.  Poca- 
hontas gave  rise  to  the  famous  Eecl  Rose  and  Han- 
nah More  to  the  Beck  Taylor,  Leslie  and  Flat  Creek 
branches  of  the  Mary  tribe.  Judith  Clark  also  left 
a  valuable  progeny,  among  her  descendants  being 
the  Grace  Youngs,  once  so  prolific  of  good  show 
cattle  in  the  West,  and  the  Leopardess  family,  which 
gave  to  the  show-yard  Lucy  Napier.  The  success 
of  the  blending  of  the  Mary  and  Phyllis  bloods  in 
the  hands  of  Messrs.  Vanmeter  was  instantaneous. 
Bred  to  John  Randolph  603,  son  of  imp.  Young 
Phyllis,  Hannah  More  had  a  daughter — Queen  Anne 
— that  produced  to  the  cover  of  Prince  Albert  2d 
857  the  bull  Albert  Gallatin  202.  Randolph  and  Gal- 
latin did  some  of  the  local  shows  in  company  and 
carried  many  ribbons;  the  older  (Phyllis)  usually 
securing  first  honors  at  the  hands  of  awarding  com- 
mittees and  the  Mary  second. 

Ben  F.  Vanmeter  gave  the  Marys  international 
fame.  From  his  father's  red-roan  Red  Rose,  by 
Pearl  2012,*  he  bred  the  celebrated  family  of  Red 
Roses ;  and  by  mating  the  Hannah  More  cow  Beck 
with  the  Phyllis  show  bull  Dick  Taylor  he  bred  the 
red  Beck  Taylor,  the  matron  of  a  family  of  that 
name  still  popular  in  the  West.  Probably  the  best 
two  cows  ever  produced  in  his  he^d  were  Red  Roses 

•   *Pearl  was  a  red  bull  bred  by  Solomon  Vanmeter  that  became  the 

from  the  imported  cow  Gem  by  Earl  Ducie  s  broker  ( 999 o)got^b^ 
Usurer  (9763).  Pearl's  grandam  was  Gulnare,  by  Whitakei  s  Norfolk 
(2377?  and  his  great-grlndam  was  the  Booth-bred  Medora  by  Ambo 
(1636)! 


SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  299 

8tli  and  11th,  own  sisters  by  the  Phyllis  bull  Air- 
drie  Duke  5306.  The  Airdrie  Duchess  blood  was  by 
this  time  producing  remarkable  results  in  all  the 
leading  Kentucky  herds,  and  when  the  Renick,  Yan- 
meter,  Warfield  and  Bedford  cows  carrying  the 
Bates  cross  met  at  the  local  shows  there  was  '^war  to 
the  knife."  Upon  one  memorable  occasion  Mr.  Ben. 
Vanmeter  with  Red  Roses  8tli  and  11th  encountered 
one  of  the  greatest  cow  combinations  Kentucky  had 
ever  seen,  meeting  Mr.  Renick 's  pets,  ^'Little"  and 
^'Big"  Genevas,  two  of  Edwin  G.  Bedford's  Loudon 
Duchesses,  besides  one  of  the  best  of  that  family 
ever  produced  by  Mr.  Warfield,  and  three  or  four 
imported  cows.  In  the  cow  class  Red  Rose  11th 
won,  but  in  the  sweepstakes  Red  Rose  8tli  gained 
the  prize.*  She  was  afterward  champion  Short- 
horn cow  at  the  Philadelphia  Centennial  and  subse- 
quently sold  to  the  Grooms  for  $1,750  and  exported 
to  England.  Her  companion  at  this  show,  Red  Rose 
11th,  sold  to  Mr.  Fox  of  England  at  $2,325,  was  the 
only  cow  that  ever  defeated  Red  Rose  8th.  Mr. 
A^anmeter,  however,  never  considered  her  so  good. 
This  cow  was  the  dam  of  the  famous  roan  Young 
Mary  steer  that  was  the  champion  four-year-old 
bullock  at  the  first  American  Fat-Stock  Show  at 
Chicago ;  a  beast  that  weighed  2,440  lbs.  and  sold  to 
the  late  John  B.  Drake  of  the  Grand  Pacific  Hotel 


*  After  the  ribbon  was  tied  on  Red  Rose  8  th  Mr.  Vanmeter  asked  Mr. 
Renick  what  he  thought  of  it.  The  old  man  was  very  slow  in  making 
his  reply,  but  finally  said :  "I  reckon  it  is  all  right.  She  is  a  devil  of 
a  good  one." 


300  A  HISTOEY   OF   SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

for  $150  for  Christmas  beef.  An  own  brother  to 
Red  Rose  8th  and  11th,  the  bull  Rosy  Man  27764, 
was  also  a  prize  winner  at  various  old-time  Ken- 
tucky shows. 

Ben  F.  Vanmeter  sustained  close  relations  with 
Mr.  Renick  and  in  later  years  became  identified 
with  the  Rose  of  Sharon  interest,  further  reference 
to  which  will  presently  be  made.  It  may  be  re- 
marked in  passing  that  the  two  prize-winning  Young 
Mary  bulls  Washington  9284  and  Dick  Taylor  2d 
16637— both  by  Dick  Taylor  5508  and  both  bred  by 
Messrs.  Sudduth  of  Clark  County — were  of  Van- 
meter  stock,  the  former  being  of  the  Leslie  branch 
and  the  latter  coming  through  Judith  Clark,  own 
sister  to  Hannah  More.  Dick  Taylor  2d  won  a  cham- 
pionship at  a  Bourbon  County  fair  in  a  ring  of 
thirty  entries.  We  may  also  add  here  that  the  bull 
Seaton  4356,  bred  by  Solomon  Vanmeter,  appearing 
in  certain  pedigrees  of  cattle  of  Kentucky  origin, 
represented  a  cross  of  Mr.  Alexander's  imp.  Orontes 
2d  upon  a  daughter  of  the  imported  Wilkinson-bred 
cow  Lavender  3d,  that  was  of  the  same  foundation 
as  the  Cruickshank  Lavenders. 

The  Warfields. — The  city  of  Lexington,  the  blue- 
grass  capital,  is  situated  in  the  fertile  county  of 
Fayette,  which,  in  connection  with  the  adjacent 
counties  of  Clark  and  Bourbon,  had  from  the  earli- 
est periods  constituted  the  headquarters  of  the 
breed  south  of  the  Ohio  River.  The  name  of  War- 
field  is  so  intimately  and  honorably  identified  with 


SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK,  301 

the  cattle-breeding  interest,  not  only  of  Fayette  and 
contiguous  counties  but  of  the  entire  West,  that 
no  history  of  Short-horns  in  America  would  b^  com- 
plete without  some  reference  to  the  services  ren- 
dered by  those  of  this  name. 

The  Warfields  are  descended  from  Richard  War- 
field,  who  in  1663  settled  in  the  Puritan  colony  of 
Anne  Arundel  Co,  near  Annapolis,  Md.  In  Octo- 
ber, 1790,  Elisha  Warfield  and  his  ^ife,  Ruth  Bur- 
gess (descended  from  Gen.  William  Burgess,  who 
commanded  the  troops  of  the  colony  of  Maryland  in 
the  la  ter  part  of  the  seventeenth  century),  removed 
to  Fajette  Co.,  Ky.,  from  Anne  Arundel  Co.,  Md 
bringing  with  them  their  sons,  Elisha,  born  in  IZSl' 
and  Benjamin,  born  Feb.  8,  1790.  They  settled 
about  seven  miles  east  of  Lexington,  near  Bryan's 

i«rV  ^r^*"'"^"  "^^'^'^'^  '^"^^^^  t«  breed  cattle 
in  1824,  but  had  no  pure-bred  Short-horns  until  1831 
He  practiced  law  until  the  outbreak  of  the  war  of 
1812    and  again  until  1831;    meantime  purchasing 
^le  farm  of  Grasmere,  near  Lexington.    His  brother, 
Di-.  Ehsha  Wartield,  also  engaged  in  stock-breeding 
but  gave  more  attention  to  the  Thoroughbred  horse 
than  to  cattle;    breeding  old  Lexington  and  other 
celebrities  of  the  turf.    The  former  became  the  own- 
er of  Mrs.  Motte's  bull  Partnership  (6277)  and  of  the 
Durham  Cow's   daughter  Lady   Durham,   by   San 

Cow  s   bull  Mirandi    (4428),  by  San  Martin,  and 
Messrs.   Smith   &  Warfield  bought  the  Tees^ater 


302  A  HISTORY  OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Cow's  daughter  Pink,  by  Munday's  Bull  727.*  At 
a  later  date,  when  the  Kentuekians  were  availing 
themselves  of  the  stock  imported  by  Col.  John  H. 
Powel  of  Pennsylvania,  Messrs.  Warfield  were  for- 
tunate enough  to  secure  the  bull  Oliver  (2387),t 
that  proved  a  remarkably  successful  stock-getter — 
undoubtedly  the  best  of  all  the  Powel  bulls  brought 
West.  Capt.  Ben  Warfield  became  part  owner  of 
the  Ohio  Co.  bulls  Matchem  (2283)  and  Goldfinder 
(2066),  and  also  had  some  service  from  imp.  Prince 
Charles  (2461).  Probably  none  of  the  earlier  War- 
field  bulls,  however,  proved  more  successful  than 
the  famous  roan  Cossack,  alias  Julius  Caesar  (3503), 
dropped  the  property  of  Mr.  Clay  by  the  im- 
ported cow  Moss  Rose,  by  Eclipse  (1949),  brought 
out  from  England  by  H.  Clay  Jr.  and  Gen. 
James  Shelby  of  Fayette  County  in  1839.  This  bull 
had  for  sire  the  Booth-bred  Cossack  (1880),  and  his 
blood  was  for  many  years  to  be  found  in  some  of  the 
best  Short-horns  in  leading  Kentucky  herds. 
Renick  903. — This  great  Kentucky  sire,  bred  by 


*The  "Seventeens"  were  brought  by  Col.  Sanders  to  Fayette,  and 
Mrs.  Motte  and  the  Teeswater  Cow  were  retained  there,  the  property  of 
Messrs.  Munday  and  Haggin,  respectively.  The  Durham  Cow  was  taken 
by  the  importer  to  Gallatin  County.     See  page  165. 

tNo  less  than  twenty-two  bulls  and  thirty-two  cows  of  Col.  John 
Hare  Powel's  breeding  or  importation  were  taken  to  Kentucky — largely 
between  1831  and  1836.  While  Oliver  (2387)  was  ^^^^^oubtedly  the  best 
of  these  Powel  bulls,  the  outstandmg  cow  acquired  by  Kentucky  from 
the  Powelton  Herd  was  the  Booth-bred  Isabella,  by  Pilot,  (see  pa^e 
176)  She  was  probably  the  most  celebrated  cow  of  her  day  in  the  Ohio 
Valley  States,  and  at  the  sale  of  her  produce  by  her  owner  Mr.  Sutton 
of  Favette  County,  Sept.  26,  1837,  her  son  Frederick  olo  sold  to  Buford 
&  Scott  of  F?ankiin  cSunty  for  $1,310  ;  her  heifer  Western  Daisy  went 
to  Toel  Scott  at  $745;  heifer  White  Rose  to  James  Shelby  of  Fayette 
County  at  $73t.  and  bull  Cyrus  to  E.  S.  Washington  of  Fayette  County 
at  $810  Another  daughter  of  Cleopatra,  Sally  Jackson,  was  sold  pri- 
vately to  J.  S.  Berryman  &  Co.  for  $2,000  ! 


SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  303 

James  Eenick  and  sired  by  Tippecanoe  1036  out  of 
a  daughter  of  imp.  Josephine,  was  bought  by  Capt. 
Warfield  as  a  six-months  calf.  He  was  begotten  in 
Ohio,  and  although  his  sire  and  dam  were  both  de- 
scended from  imp.  Josephine"^  by  Norfolk  he  was 
not  specially  promising  as  a  calf  and  was  by  no 
means  satisfying  as  a  yearling.  For  this  reason  he 
was  sent  to  Dr.  Breckenridge  for  a  year  of  trial.  As 
soon  as  his  calves  began  to  come,  however,  all  doubt 
as  to  Eenick  ^s  value  disappeared  and  he  was  freely 
used  with  extraordinary  success.  He  was  a  red  with 
a  long  and  level  carcass,  well-sprung  ribs  and  supe- 
rior handling  qualities.  He  stood  somewhat  high 
on  the  leg,  and  was  not  in  fact  what  would  be  con- 
sidered a  real  show  bull.  He  was  often  exhibited, 
but  his  success  lay  in  his  progeny  rather  than  in  his 
own  individuality.  He  therefore  furnishes  an  in- 
stance— along  with  Goldfinder  (2066)  and  imp.  Duke 
of  Airdrie— where  a  plain  bull  proved  to  be  a  stock- 
getter  of  unquestioned  capacity.  Eenick  soon  ac- 
quired reputation  as  the  best  sire  of  his  time  in 
Kentucky.  Of  the  show  cows  among  his  progeny 
perhaps  the  most  distinguished  were  the  light  roan 
Tulip  and  the  roan  Fleda,  both  of  these  being  de- 

*  Josephine  was  a  fine  show  cow;  proving  a  successful  prize-winner 
at  the  Ohio  fairs.  She  produced  in  1838  a  roan  cow  calf  named  Non- 
pareil, by  Comet  Halley  (1855).  In  1839 — bull  calf  Hubback,  by  Para- 
gon of  the  West  (4649).  In  1840 — bull  calf  Tippecanoe,  by  Rover 
(5015).  In  1841 — cow  calf  Lady  Harrison,  red  and  white,  by  Rover 
(5015).  She  then  produced  twin  bull  calves,  neither  of  which  lived  to 
be  useful,  after  which  she  ceased  breeding — was  fatted  and  slaughtered. 
Nonpareil  and  Lady  Harrison,  the  female  produce  above  mentioned, 
were  sent  by  Mr.  Felix  Renick  to  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  JameS  Renick  of 
Bourbon  Co.,  Ky.,  to  breed  on  shares  in  some  way.  but  the  latter  finally 
became  the  owner  of  the  stock. 


304  A  HISTOEY  OF  SHOET-HOE.N  CATTLE 

scended  from  Capt.  Warfield's  never-beaten  show 
cow  Caroline.  The  former  was  sold  to  Capt.  James 
N.  Brown  and  the  latter  to  J.  D.  Smith,  both  of  San- 
gamon Co.,  111.,  and  for  many  years  they  divided  the 
verdicts  of  Western  show-yard  juries.  Indeed,  the 
late  Capt.  Brown  considered  that  Tulip  was  a  vastly 
better  cow  than  Capt.  Warfield's  celebrated  Mary 
Magdalene,  that  had  been  bred  by  Abram  Renick 
from  a  Harriet  dam  from  a  service  by  Renick  903. 
Mary  Magdalene  combined  astonishing  substance 
with  rare  finish.  Although  she  was  of  enormous 
size,  weighing  in  show  condition  2,250  lbs.,  still  an 
ordinary  hand  could  span  her  ankle  with  thumb 
and  forefinger.  Lizzie  Higgins,  the  dam  of  Fleda, 
invariably  produced  a  show  animal  to  a  service  by 
Renick,  her  heifers  Sally  Campbell  and  Pearl  and 
the  bull  Magyar  677  illustrating  this  fact.  Still 
another  cow  that  ''nicked''  well  with  Renick  was 
Lucy,  a  descendant  of  imp.  White  Rose,  by  Publi- 
cola,  that  gave  to  Renick  the  two  great  heifers  Lucy 
2d  and  Lucy  3d  and  bulls  Francisco  2266  and  Duke 
of  Stockdale  1483.  That  excellent  old  cow  Cherry 
2d,  by  Don  John  426,  also  produced  to  Renick  a  pair 
of  extraordinary  calves  known  as  Amy  and  Sally 
Smith.  Another  great  Renick  heifer  was  Adah,  and 
we  should  also  mention  Mr.  William  Warfield's 
Princess  and  Mr.  Kinnaird's  Pearl. 

Muscatoon  7057. — This  celebrated  sire  of  prize 
cattle  in  the  herd  of  Mr.  William  Warfield  of  Gras- 
mere  was  one  of  the  fruits  of  the  great  herd  assem- 


SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  305 

bled  by  Mr.  Alexander  at  Woodburn.  He  was  a  red 
bull,  sired  by  the  Bates-bred  Eoyal  Oxford  (18774) 
out  of  Mazurka  2d  by  Orontes  2d  (11877);  second 
dam  that  famous  Lincolnshire  roan  imp.  Mazurka 
by  Harbinger.  There  is  no  question  as  to  this 
COW  having  been  one  of  the  best  ever  imported. 
Kich  in  color,  her  capital  carcass,  with  its  far-famed 
back  and  flank,  was  set  off  by  a  head  of  surpassing 
sweetness.  Muscatoon  was  a  red  with  a  perfect  head 
and  the  full  eye  of  the  kindly  feeder.  He  was 
strongly  filled  behind  the  shoulder  and  had  the  rib 
and  full  lower  line  of  Mazurka  joined  to  the  great 
loin  and  thighs  of  Orontes  2d.  He  was  bought  by 
Mr.  Warfield  as  a  yearling,  and  his  career  at  Gras- 
mere  both  as  a  show  bull  and  a  stock-getter  did 
much  to  strengthen  the  reputation  of  the  Woodburn 
stock.  Although  shown  by  Mr.  Warfield  with  ex- 
ceptional success  from  1867  to  1871  his  most  lasting 
fame  was  gained  as  a  getter  of  extraordinary  show 
and  breeding  animals.  In  fact  in  the  rings  for  best 
lot  of  calves  the  get  of  one  bull  he  was  almost  in- 
vincible in  the  State  of  Kentucky  in  the  later  sixties. 
The  most  remarkable  feature  of  his  services  at  Gras- 
mere  was  the  uniform  excellence  of  his  get.  They 
were  all  good,  and  some  of  them  attained  such  out- 
standing excellence  that  they  were  for  many  years 
reigning  show-yard  champions.  Among  these  were 
the  heifers  Duchess  of  Sutherland  4th,  Maggie  Mus- 
catoon, 1st  and  2d  Ladies  of  Grasmere  and  Loudon 
Duchess  4th.  He  also  sired  the  Kose  of  Sharon  cow 


806  A   HISTORY    OF    STTORT-ITORX    CATTLE 

Grace  and  Louan  of  AVaveland,  for  which  Walter 
Handy  paid  respectively  $1,000  and  $1,150  at  a  sale 
of  E.  L.  Davison's.  Among  the  noted  stock  and 
show  bulls  of  his  get  were  Loudon  Duke  6th  10399; 
Tycoon  7339,  Lord  of  the  Manor  12332  and  2d  Duke 
of  Grasmere  13961.  He  died  as  the  result  of  an  acci- 
dent in  1873,  and  it  may  be  said  that  he  shares  with 
the  Duke  of  Airdrie  bulls  the  reputation  of  having 
materially  advanced  the  name  and  fame  of  the  Short- 
horn breed  throughout  the  entire  Western  country. 
Indeed  rank  as  a  sire  of  show  cattle  has  been  claimed 
for  this  Mazurka  bull  along  with  such  English  ce- 
lebrities as  Booth's  Crown  Prince  and  Towneley's 
Frederick. 

The  Loudon  Duchesses — Mr.  William  Warfield 
has  the  honor  of  having  originated  one  of  the  best 
tribes  of  Short-horns  yet  evolved  by  the  breeders  of 
the  United  States.  We  allude  to  the  Loudon  Duch- 
esses produced  by  his  skill  and  intelligence  by  a 
judicious  utilization  of  Woodburn  blood.  The  Hon. 
Frank  Key  Hunt,  an  able  lawyer  and  a  neighbor  and 
kinsman  of  Mr.  Warfield,  having  expressed  a  desire 
for  a  good  Short-horn  heifer  to  grace  his  spacious 
lawn,  Mr.  Warfield  purchased  for  him  at  a  sale  held 
by  Mr.  B.  A.  Alexander  in  1856  Miss  Wiley  4th, 
sired  by  2d  Duke  of  Athol  (11376)  out  of  imp.  Miss 
Hudson,  at  $470,  which,  we  believe,  was  the  highest 
price  of  the  day.  Mr.  Warfield  was  to  direct  her 
breeding  and  was  to  take  each  calf  at  six  months  of 
age  at  $300.    He  believed  that  as  she  promised  to 


SOME  HISTOEIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  307 

make  a  big,  large-framed  cow  good  results  would 
follow  her  mating  w^itli  the  finely-finished  imp.  Duke 
of  Airdrie  (12730).  The  first  calf  proved  to  be  the 
red  bull  registered  as  Loudon  Duke  3097,  whose 
name  was  derived  from  the  title  of  Mr.  Hunt's  farm. 
In  the  meantime  Mr.  Hunt  suggested  that  Miss 
Wiley  4th  be  bred  to  imp.  St.  Lawrence  (12037), 
that  had  been  imported  by  Mr.  Thorne  of  New  York 
and  purchased  by  Elisha  Warfield.  Mr.  William 
Warfield  objected  to  this  cross  on  the  ground  of  in- 
compatibility of  type,  but  Mr.  Hunt  insisted  upon 
trying  it,  releasing  Mr.  Warfield  from  any  obligation 
to  take  the  calf  if  not  satisfactory.  The  experiment 
was  a  failure  and  the  bull  calf  that  resulted  was 
steered.  The  cow  w^as  then  bred  back  to  imp.  Duke 
of  Airdrie,  and  in  1860  dropped  the  red  heifer  Anna 
Hunt,  subsequently  sold  by  Mr.  Warfield  to  Charles 
M.  Clark  of  Springfield,  0.,  from  whose  hands  she 
passed  into  the  possession  of  Daniel  McMillan  of 
Xenia,  becoming  the  ancestress  of  a  great  family  of 
cows  known  as  the  Ladys  of  Clark.  Miss  Wiley  4th 
had  by  this  time  grown  into  a  cow  of  immense  scale, 
weighing  1,700  lbs.  off  grass.  The  development  of 
Loudon  Duke  and  of  Anna  Hunt  demonstrated  that 
the  cross  with  the  fine  but  rather  ''rangy"  imp. 
Duke  of  Airdrie  was  a  success,  and  she  w^as  again 
sent  to  be  served  at  Woodburn.  This  time  she 
dropped  the  red  bull  calf  Duke  of  Edinburgh  4724 
(also  knowm  as  Loudon  Duke  2d),  that  was  sold  to 
a  Mr.  Woodruff  of  Indiana.    The  result  of  the  next 


308  A  HISTORY   OF    SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

service  to  the  imported  Duke  was  the  roan  bull  calf 
Loudon  Duke  3d  10398,  sold  to  Mr.  Wilson  of  Cin- 
cinnati and  used  with  success  in  Ohio  herds.  In 
1863,  to  imp.  Duke  of  Airdrie,  she  dropped  the  red 
bull  Loudon  Duke  4th  5906,  sold  to  Mr.  Edwin  G. 
Bedford  and  afterward  the  property  of  Mr.  D.  S. 
King  of  Ohio.  During  this  period  Mr.  Warfield  had 
used  the  first  Loudon  Duke  with  success,  finally  sell- 
ing him  to  Mr.  Isaac  Vanmeter  of  Clark  Co.,  Ky. 

In  1864  Miss  Wiley  4th  dropped  to  imp.  Duke  of 
Airdrie  the  red  heifer  calf  destined  to  fame  under 
the  name  of  Loudon  Duchess.  The  imported  Duke 
having  meanwhile  died,  it  w^as  decided  to  breed  Mr. 
Hunt's  cow^  to  Duncan's  Duke  of  Airdrie  2743,  which 
Mr.  Warfield  considered  the  imported  Duke's  best 
son;  and  from  a  service  by  that  bull  the  red  heifer 
Loudon  Duchess  2d  w^as  dropped  in  1865.  In  the 
fall  of  that  year  Mr.  Warfield  had  sent  a  small  bunch 
of  cattle  for  exhibition  to  the  local  fairs,  included 
among  the  number  being  the  yearling  Loudon  Duch- 
ess. The  stock  was  taken  to  the  Bourbon  show  in 
Mr.  William  Warfield 's  absence  in  attendance  at  the 
Illinois  State  Fair,  which  was  held  the  same  week, 
and  during  the  continuance  of  these  shows  the  fol- 
lowing telegram  w^as  received  from  Kentucky:  '*I 
am  offered  $500  for  your  yearling  heifer  and  $250 
for  your  steer;  shall  I  take  it?"  This  referred  to 
Loudon  Duchess  and  a  great  steer  of  the  Eosabella 
2d  by  Velocipede  tribe.  In  those  dull  days  the  prices 
seemed  large,  and  as  Mr.  Warfield  believed  that  Lou- 


SOME  HISTOEIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  309 

don  Duchess  2d  would  make  a  better  heifer  than 
her  sister  by  the  imported  Duke  he  replied  in  the 
affirmative,  and  thus  Mr.  E.  G.  Bedford  of  Bourbon 
County  became  the  owner  of  Loudon  Duchess,  the 
prize  yearling  of  that  season  and  subsequently  a 
great  prize-taker  and  dam  of  winners.  Loudon 
Duchess  2d  proved  to  be  Miss  Wiley  4th 's  last  calf 
and  Mr.  Warfield  decided  not  to  part  with  her. 
These  two  heifers  then  embarked  upon  a  show-yard 
and  breeding  career  that  has  probably  not  been  sur- 
passed in  this  country. 

The  Bedford  heifer  produced  one  bull  and  one 
heifer  (Loudon  Duchess  3d)  to  services  by  The 
Priest  6246,  and  one  bull  (Loudon  Duke  7th  10400) 
and  three  heifers  (Loudon  Duchesses  5th,  7th  and 
11th)  to  services  by  that  capital  Bates  Duchess  sire 
2d  Duke  of  Geneva  5562.  It  had  previously  been 
agreed  between  Mr.  Warfield  and  Mr.  Bedford  that 
the  Loudon  Duchess  name  should  be  given  to  the 
progeny  of  these  cows.  To  avoid  confusion  Mr. 
Bedford  was  to  use  the  odd  numbers  and  Mr.  War- 
field  the  even  numbers.  Mr.  Warfield 's  Loudon 
Duchess  2d  produced  ten  calves — six  bulls  and  four 
heifers — three  of  which  were  by  Muscatoon  7057, 
two  by  Robert  Napier  8975,  one  by  5th  Duke  of  Ge- 
neva 7932,  one  by  11th  Duke  of  Geneva,  one  by  4th 
Duke  of  Airdrie,  one  by  14th  Duke  of  Thorndale  and 
one  by  2d  Duke  of  Grasmere  13961.  Loudon  Duch- 
ess 4th,  one  of  the  Muscatoon  heifers,  was  considered 
by  Mr.  Warfield  to  be  the  best  female  produced  by 


310  A  HISTORY  OF   SHOET-HORN  CATTLE 

either  of  the  celebrated  sisters,  and  Loudon  Duke 
6th  10399,  afterward  so  famous  in  Missouri  and  the 
West,  was  counted  the  best  bull.  He  was  sold  to 
Mr.  J.  G.  Cowan  of  Missouri  for  $3,000  in  1872,  a 
great  price  for  that  time. 

We  have  already  alluded  to  the  fact  that  during 
the  great  expansion  of  the  Short-horn  trade  follow- 
ing the  Civil  War  a  prejudice  was  unfortunately 
created  by  interested  parties  against  cattle  carrying 
crosses  of  stock  descended  from  the  Walter  Dun  im- 
portation. Inasmuch  as  Duncan's  Duke  of  Airdrie 
had  such  a  cross,  those  who  in  later  years  sought  to 
discredit  the  Dun  importation  insisted  that  the  de- 
scendants of  Mr.  Bedford's  Loudon  Duchesses  by 
imp.  Duke  of  Airdrie  were  more  valuable  than  the 
descendants  of  Mr.  Warfield's  Loudon  Duchess  2d. 
The  absurdity  of  this  contention  is  clearly  shown  by 
the  fact  that,  judged  by  the  stringent  requirements 
of  the  show-yard,  Mr.  Warfield's  Loudon  Duchesses 
were  even  better  individuals  than  those  bred  by  Mr. 
Bedford.  While  Loudon  Duchess  gained  twelve  first 
prizes,  Mr.  Warfield  's  Loudon  Duchess  2d  won  fifty- 
six,  some  of  them  gained  at  the  State  fairs  of  Ohio 
and  Indiana.  The  female  calves  of  Loudon  Duchess 
won  while  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Bedford  five  prizes, 
but  Mr.  Warfield's  Loudon  Duchess  4th  alone  won 
fourteen  and  his  Loudon  Duchess  6th  alone  won  over 
forty.  There  was  always  a  friendly  rivalry  as  to 
the  merits  of  the  original  cows  between  Mr.  Bed- 
ford and  Mr.  Warfield,  but  it  is  self-evident  that 


SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  311 

there  was  no  foundation  whatever  for  any  assump- 
tion of  superior  value  in  behalf  of  the  Bedford  line 
of  breeding.  Mr.  Warfield  was  the  first  to  secure 
extraordinary  prices,  selling  Loudon  Duchess  8th  to 
Mr.  J.  F.  Cowan  of  Virginia  for  $2,500  and  Loudon 
Duchess  6th  to  W.  H.  Eichardson  of  Kentucky  for 
$2,005,  the  highest-priced  female  at  the  auction  sales 
of  that  year.  Mr.  Bedford,  however,  surpassed  even 
these  exceptional  values  at  his  closing  sale  of  1874, 
where  seven  Loudon  Duchesses  averaged  $3,521 
and  two  bulls  $2,033;  one  cow  (Loudon  Duchess  9th) 
going  to  Mr.  B.  F.  Bedford  at  $6,000  and  one  bull 
(Loudon  Duke  19th)  to  W.  E.  Duncan  of  Illinois  for 
$3,500.  A  very  superior  bull  produced  by  Loudon 
Duchess  2d  was  Mr.  E.  L.  Davison's  red  Loudon 
Duke  3d  8542,  sired  by  Muscatoon.  This  bull  should 
not  be  confused  with  Loudon  Duke  3d  10398  from 
Miss  Wiley  4th.  The  latter  had  been  sold  into  Ohio 
by  Mr.  Warfield  and  passed  from  notice  before  the 
Muscatoon  bull  was  assigned  a  name.  There  were 
thus  two  Loudon  Duke  3ds,  uncle  and  nephew.  Lou- 
don Duke  3d  8542  was  shown  extensively  from  1868 
to  1870  at  all  of  the  leading  Kentucky  fairs,  and  won 
many  first  and  championship  prizes. 

Mr.  William  Warfield  steadfastly  resisted  the  dic- 
tates of  fashion  and  clung  tenaciously  to  the  right 
of  selecting  sires  of  approved  form  and  quality  be- 
longing to  established  tribes  without  reference  to 
the  whims  and  fancies  of  the  speculative  element. 
While  on  this  account  he  did  not  profit  largely  by 


312  A  HISTORY  OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

the  great  speculative  advance  that  resulted  in  such 
enormous  prices  being  paid  in  subsequent  years  for 
certain  ^'line-bred"  families,  he  stood  manfully  by 
the  best  traditions  of  the  breed,  and  has  up  to  the 
end  of  the  present  century  consistently  advocated 
the  breeding  of  Short-horns  for  individual  excel- 
lence from  the  best  sources  regardless  of  particular 
blood-lines.* 

Adoption  of  Bates  type  and  methods. — Imp.  Duke 
of  Airdrie  was  extensively  used  by  Mr.  Alexander 
at  Woodburn  and  sired  a  large  number  of  good  cat- 
tle of  both  sexes  in  that  superb  herd.  We  have 
already  mentioned  the  prize  bull  Bell  Duke  of  Air- 
drie 2522  used  by  Mr.  Bedford.  Another  noted  son 
was  Clifton  Duke  (23580),  that  was  used  by  Mr. 
Alexander  upon  the  Airdrie  Duchesses  and  was  also 
hired  by  George  M.  Bedford.  He  was  out  of  the  im- 
ported Filbert  Bell-Bates  cow  Lady  Derby.  Another 
good  bull  by  the  old  Duke,  bred  at  Woodburn,  was 
Princeton  4285  (from  imp.  Princess  4th  by  Eevo- 
lution),  that  was  sold  to  Dr.  Breckenridge  and  left 
much  valuable  stock.  The  Duke  of  Airdrie  heifers 
at  Woodburn,  as  elsewhere,  proved  very  valuable  as 
breeders.  From  one  of  these,  Minna  2d — a  daughter 
of  imp.  Minna  by  Bridegroom — Mr.  Alexander  bred 
the  celebrated  show  bull  Minister  6363,  whose  career 


*William  Warfleld  was  a  son  of  Capt.  Ben  Warfleld  and  became  one 
of  the  acknowledged  authorities  on  all  subjects  pertaining  to  American 
Short-horn  history.  A  frequent  contributor  to  the  Breeder's  Gazette  and 
other  agricultural  journals  and  the  author  of  "A  History  of  Imported 
Short-Horns"  and  of  "Cattle-Breeding" — published  by  the  Sanders  Pub. 
Co.,  Chicag-o — he  has  perhaps  done  more  than  any  other  one  man  in 
America  to  preserve  the  records  of  early  importations  and  build  up  a 
Short-horn  literature  in  the  United  States. 


SOME  HISTORIC  KEXTUCKY  STOCK  313 

in  the  hands  of  William  E.  Duncan  in  Illinois  will 
presently  be  mentioned. 

Another  noted  show  bull  that  served  to  prove  to 
the  minds  of  Kentucky  breeders  the  efficacy  of  Duch- 
ess blood  for  crossing  purposes  at  this  period  was 
Burnside  4618,  a  red  bred  by  H.  Clay  Jr.  of  Bourbon 
County,  dropped  in  1861  by  the  Duke  of  Athol 
(10150)  cow  imp.  Bracelet  to  a  service  by  Duke 
John  2741,  he  a  roan  bull  by  imp.  Duke  of  Airdrie 
(12/30)  out  of  the  Gwynne  cow  Lady  Sherwood  by 
0th  Duke  of  York.  Burnside  was  shown  with  much 
success  and  died  in  November,  1873. 

While  Woodburn  made  no  apparent  effort  to  con- 
centrate the  Duke  of  Airdrie 's  blood,  Abram  Eenick 
and  George  M.  Bedford  did  not  hesitate  to  double  it 
up  at  every  opportunity.     Messrs.  Vanmeter  were 
also  inclined  to  the  belief  that  the  "more  of  the  old 
Duke's  blood  the  better."    The  pronounced  success 
ot  such  bulls  as  Duncan's  Duke  2743,  Airdrie  "478 
Sweepstakes  6230,  Joe  Johnson  10294,  Airdrie  Duke 
5306,  Dick  Taylor  5508  and  of  the  Loudon  Duch- 
esses, etc.,  established  thoroughly  the  popularity  of 
Bates  sires  in  Kentucky;  and  Mr.  Renick's  skillful 
concentration  of  Airdrie  and  Rose  of  Sharon  blood 
rooted  the  idea  firmly  in  the  minds  of  most  of  the 
Kentucky  breeders  that  by  a  system  of  in-and-in 
or  line  breeding  based  on  the  use  of  Bates  bulls  the 
best  Short-horns  were  likely  to  be  produced.    Pro- 
nounced style,  good  .scale,  level  lines  and  great  finish 
were  cardinal  points  with  those  who  were  most 


31-i  A  HISTORY   OF    SHOKT-HORN   CATTLE 

active  in  shaping  the  course  of  Short-horn  breeding 
in  the  West  at  this  time.  These  characteristics  were 
secured  and  thoroughly  established  largely  through 
the  use  of  the  sons,  grandsons,  daughters  and  grand- 
daughters of  imp.  Duke  of  Airdrie.  Such  was  the 
general  situation,  therefore,  at  the  time  when  Illi- 
nois and  other  Western  States  began  stocking  up 
largely  with  Short-horns;  the  foundation  animals 
for  nearly  all  of  the  leading  Western  herds  being 
secured  from  Kentucky  sources. 

An  unbiased  and  thoroughly  capable  judge  who 
visited  the  herds  of  Kentucky  at  intervals  during 
this  period — the  late  Simon  Beattie  of  Canada  and 
Annan,  Scotland — called  the  attention  of  the  breed- 
ers of  that  State  to  the  fact  that  while  they  were 
securing  a  marked  uniformity,  fine  heads,  a  beau- 
tiful finish  and  gay  carriage  by  this  system  of  close 
breeding,  they  were  at  the  same  time  sacrificing 
heavy  flesh,  substance  and  hair,  and  ''working  their 
cattle  toward  a  leggy  type,  thin  about  their  rumps, 
thighs  and  hind  quarters.^'  In  rebuttal  of  this  criti- 
cism Mr.  Alexander's  Mazurkas  were  cited  as  a 
family  that  had  escaped  these  defects,  but  the  fact 
was  promptly  pointed  out  by  Mr.  Beattie  that  imp. 
Mazurka  was  by  Mr.  Booth's  Harbinger  and  her  dam 
by  Mr.  Lax's  Baron  of  Ravensworth — both  bulls 
that  imparted  short  legs  and  thick  flesh  to  nearly  all 
their  offspring.  Mr.  John  Thornton,  the  able  Eng- 
lish live-stock  auctioneer,  who  visited  the  States  in 
1869,  apparently  approved   of  this  observation  of 


SOME  HISTORIC  KENTUCKY  STOCK  315 

Mr.  Beattie's  in  a  measure,  for  he  was  quoted  as 
saying  that  he  regarded  the  Mazurkas  as  the  most 
promising  foundation  for  a  fine  family  of  cattle  of 
any  one  sort  he  had  seen  in  America. 


CHAPTER  XII 
PKOGEESS  IN  THE  CENTRAL  WEST 

From  1857  down  to  the  close  of  the  Civil  War  in 
1865  importations  of  Short-horns  had  practically 
ceased;  and  during  a  great  portion  of  that  time  val- 
ues ruled  so  low  that  there  was  little  encouragement 
for  those  engaged  in  the  trade.  The  financial  crash 
of  1857,  with  the  War  of  the  Eebellion  in  its  train, 
put  a  damper  upon  enterprise  iu  this  direction. 
Kentucky,  the  active  center  of  Short-horn  breeding 
in  America  at  this  time,  was  a  border  State  between 
the  North  and  South  and  was  a  theater  of  military 
operations.  A  few  of  the  leading  breeders,  Mr.  E. 
A.  Alexander  among  the  number,  sent  their  Short- 
horns north  of  the  Ohio  Eiver  for  safety,  the  Wood- 
burn  cattle  being  placed  temporarily  in  the  charge 
of  Mr.  J.  M.  Woodruff  of  Nineveh,  Ind.  Others 
drove  their  pets  into  their  most  secluded  pastures, 
hiding  them  as  best  they  might  when  the  exigencies 
of  the  occasion  called  for  special  care,  and  bided 
their  time.  With  the  advent  of  peace  the  business 
entered  upon  an  extraordinary  period  of  expansion 
toward  the  West,  to  which  section  we  must  now  di- 
rect our  attention. 

First  Illinois  herds. — Virginia  carried  the  Short- 
horn colors  into  Ohio  and  Kentucky,  and  emigrants 

316 


PROGRESS  IX    THE  CEXTRAL   WEST  317 

from  those  States  in  turn  bore  the  banner  of  the 
''red,  white  and  roans''  into  Indiana,  Illinois  and 
Missouri,  from  which  vantage  grounds  the  breed 
ultimately  spread  throughout  the  entire  West. 

The  earliest  introduction  of  Short-horn  blood  into 
Illinois  was  made  by  Capt.  James  N.  Brown  of  Grove 
Park,  Sangamon  County,  who  had  previously  bred 
and  shown  cattle  successfully  in  Kentucky.  The 
herd  at  Grove  Park  was  founded  in  1834.  The  stock 
was  brought  from  Kentucky,  probably  the  most 
noted  of  the  earlier  members  of  the  herd  being  the 
cow  Lady  McAllister,  for  which  $900  was  paid  in 
1837.  In  1852  he  bought  in  Kentucky  the  cows 
Beauty  and  Miss  Warfield  and  the  bull  Vandal  1065. 
These  were  followed  two  years  later  by  such  animals 
as  Margaretta,  Bentona,  Stella,  Sally  Campbell,  Lulu 
and  Tuscaloosa.  In  1856  Capt.  Brown  bought  in 
Kentucky  Queen  Victoria,  Maude  and  Orphan  2d. 
These  cattle  and  others  purchased  subsequently  by 
Capt.  Brown,  in  common  with  most  of  the  other 
stock  of  that  period,  carried  more  or  less  of  the 
blood  of  the  importation  of  1817.  In  the  meantime 
(in  1854)  he  had  purchased  in  Ohio  the  imported 
bull  Young  Whittington  and  the  imported  cow  Pico- 
tee  and  bull  calf  Buckeye.  In  1857  Capt.  Brown 
organized  and  directed  the  notable  importation  from 
England  listed  on  page  266,  securing  for  his  own 
herd  the  $3,025  cow  Bachel  3d,  the  $1,325  roan  heifer 
Western  Lady  and  an  interest  in  the  bull  King 
Alfred  (14760).    The  Grove  Park  Herd  was  shown 


318  A  HISTORY  OF   SHORT- HORN   CATTLE 

with  more  or  less  regularity  at  the  Morgan  and  San- 
gamon County  Fairs  until  the  establishment  of  the 
Illinois  State  Fair  in  1853  and  the  St.  Louis  Fair  in 
1856. 

Capt.  Brown's  brgther,  Judge  William  Brown  of 
Jacksonville,  was  a  partner  in  some  of  these  earlier 
operations,  and  Col.  G.  M.  Chambers  of  Jacksonville 
was  also  associated  with  him  in  the  purchase  of 
stock  brought  from  Ohio.  His  neighbor  and  kins- 
man, Hon.  J.  D.  Smith,  also  began  breeding  Short- 
horns during  this  period,  and  at  a  somewhat  later 
date  Judge  Stephen-  Dunlap  of  Morgan  County 
founded  a  herd.  Prior  to  1840  Messrs.  E.  B.  Hitt 
&  Bro.  introduced  Short-horns  into  Scott  County, 
and  in  that  same  year  Messrs.  Samuels  and  Forsythe 
brought  in  what  was  afterward  the  foundation  herd 
of  the  Messrs.  Dunlap.  In  1853  Messrs.  Calef  and 
Jacoby  shipped  some  good  Short-horns  into  Illinois 
from  Kentucky,  the  latter  making  a  fine  exhibit  at 
the  first  Illinois  State  Fair.  In  this  connection  it 
may  be  stated  that  prior  to  1856  Messrs.  Calef  and 
Jacoby  had  acquired  and  fed  100  head  of  high-grade 
Short-horn  steers  that  were  marketed  at  an  average 
weight  of  1,965  lbs. — a  fact  which  did  much  to  at- 
tract the  attention  of  Illinois  farmers  to  the  value 
of  the  blood.  About  this  same  time  Mr.  B.  F.  Harris 
of  Champaign  County  collected  a  lot  of  100  grade 
steers  that  were  fed  to  the  enormous  average  weight 
of  2,377  lbs.  While  such  weights  are  not  wanted  at 
the  present  time,  this  feeding  experiment  served  as 


PROGRESS  IN^   THE   CENTRAL  WEST  319 

a  great  advertisement  for  Short-horn  blood.  About 
1854  Mr.  John  Huston,  father  of  the  late  Eigdon 
Huston,  introduced  Short-horns  into  McDonough 
County,  and  the  Hon.  John  Wentworth  of  Chicago 
also  entered  the  list  of  breeders.  The  AVentworth 
Herd  was  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  Northwest.  Its 
owner  was  a  man  of  gigantic  stature — familiarly 
known  as  "Long  John'' — who  was  prominent  in  the 
politics  of  the  State  of  Illinois  and  amassed  a  large 
fortune  in  Chicago.  He  drew  most  of  his  foundation 
stock  from  the  East,  but  bought  also  from  his  early 
Illinois  contemporaries.  His  farm  was  located  at 
Summit,  Cook  County.  Mr.  Wentworth  maintained 
the  herd  continuously  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred some  fifteen  years  since,  and  a  peculiar  fea- 
ture of  his  management  was  the  fact  that  he  was 
in  the  habit  of  putting  a  uniform  price  of  $100  per 
head  upon  his  crop  of  bulls  irrespective  of  breeding 
or  quality.  With  his  customers  it  was  ''first  come 
first  served." 

While  we  cannot  undertake  in  the  space  at  our 
command  to  particularize  concerning  all  of  the  many 
herds  established  in  Illinois  in  ante-helium  days,  we 
may  mention  the  following  owners  of  registered 
stock,  some  of  whom  continued  in  the  business  for 
many  years  and  achieved  great  reputation :  Stephen 
Dunlap,  J.  G.  Strawn,  Elliot  Stevenson,  John  P. 
Henderson  and  E.  Pollock  of  Morgan  County;  E.  H. 
Whiting,  George  Newman,  Luther  Martin  and  God- 
frey &  Sumner  of  Knox    County;    Truman    Hum- 


320  X  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

plireys,  Peoria  County;  J.  C.  Bone,  AVilliam  B. 
Smith  &  Bros,  and  H.  H.  Jacoby,  Sangamon  County; 
J.  M.  Hill,  Cass  County;  J.  H.  Spears,  J.  W.  Judy 
and  James  Purkapile  of  Menard  County;  E.  L.  Gil- 
ham  of  Scott  County;  George  Bamett,  Robert  Milne 
and  S.  W.  Randall  of  Will  County;  Davis  Lowman 
of  Stark  County;  A.  G.  Carle  of  Champaign  County; 
S.  S.  Brown  of  Jo  Daviess  County;  William  Black 
of  Greene  County;  A.  Kershaw  of  Dupage  County; 
The  Bishop  Hill  Colony  of  Henry  County;  J.  P. 
Reynolds  and  Ed  Bebb  of  Winnebago  County; 
Thomas  Wray  and  D,  B.  Tears  of  McHenry  County; 
Ralph  Anderson,  James  Makepeace  and  S.  Simpkins 
of  Pike  County;  E.  C.  Marks  of  La  Salle  County; 
George  M.  Bedinger  of  McLean  County;  A.  W. 
Bowen  of  Will  County;  D.  J.  Townsend,  Kendall 
County;  P.  Hudson,  Edwards  County;  Green  & 
Davis  and  W.  Marks,  La  Salle  County;  Charles  Mer- 
riam  and  S.  W.  Ball  of  Madison  County;  A.  Pyle,  St. 
Clair  County;  George  Severs  and  W.  W.  Parrish, 
Kankakee  County;  Caleff  &  Jacoby,  Piatt  County; 
H.  C.  Johns,  Macon  County;  Parks  &  Trundell,  Mer- 
cer County;  H.  N.  Cross,  Jersey  County;  M.  W. 
Riggs,  Scott  County;  David  Graft,  Woodford  Coun- 
ty; and  Messrs,  Green,  Paul  &  Wurts  of  McLean 
County. 

Early  Indiana  breeders. — Short-horns  were  intro- 
duced into  Indiana  soon  after  the  importations  of 
the  Ohio  Co.  in  1836,  at  several  different  points.  The 
late  Dr.  A.  C.  Stevenson  of  Greencastle  was  the 


PROGRESS  IX   THE  CENTRAL  WEST  321 

''Nestor"  of  Short-horn  breeding  in  the  ."Hoosier" 
State.  We  have  already  referred  (on  page  263) 
to  his  importation  from  England,  consisting  of  four 
heifers  and  two  bulls,  made  in  1853.  He  had  been 
interested  in  Short-horn  cattle  for  some  years  prior 
to  that  date,  having  used  the  Ruby  bull  Monarch 
717,  that  was  bred  in  Kentucky  in  1845.  By  both 
example  and  precept  Dr.  Stevenson  never  lost  an 
opportunity  to  impress  upon  the  farmers  of  his  State 
the  advantages  of  good  blood,  and  he  maintained  his 
interest  in  the  trade  until  his  death,  at  a  very  ad- 
vanced age,  a  few^  years  since. 

The  late  Gen.  Meredith,  who  bought  his  Oakland 
farm  adjoining  Cambridge  City,  in  Wayne  County, 
in  1851,  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  of  the  early 
Indiana  breeders,  and  afterward  acquired  interna- 
tional reputation  for  his  herd.  He  was  a  native  of 
North  Carolina,  but  removed  to  Indiana  about  1830. 
He  was  a  man  of  notable  physique,  standing  six  feet 
seven  inches  in  height,  and  for  a  number  of  years 
was  one  of  the  most  conspicuous  figures  in  the  fra- 
ternity of  American  Short-horn  cattle-breeders.  His 
entire  life  was  marked  by  that  same  determination 
and  perseverance  that  impelled  him  when  little  more 
than  a  lad  to  make  the  toilsome  journey  from  North 
Carolina  over  the  mountains  into  the  West  on  foot 
and  after  arriving  to  work  for  $6  per  month  cutting 
wood.  He  bought  his  first  Short-horn  bull  in  1836, 
and  from  that  time  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
Oct.  21,  1875,  he  never  lost  his  interest  in  the  breed. 


322  A  HI.STOBY  OF  SHOBT-HORN  CATTLE 

He  was  closely  associated  with  the  leading  breeders 
of  his  time,  included  among  his  earlier  Short-hom- 
loving  friends  being  such  men  as  Samuel  Thome, 
I>'wi.s  G.  Morris,  I>.'wis  F.  Allen  and  Robert  A,  Alex- 
ander. The  foundation  cows  for  the  Meredith  herd 
were  bought  mainly  in  Kentucky.  The  first  notable 
purchase  of  a  bull  was  the  Bates  Wild  Eyes  imp. 
Balco  (9918),  the  high  est- jjriced  bull  of  his  family 
at  the  Kirklevington  dispersion  sale,  mentioned  on 
page  229.  It  was  something  of  an  undertaking 
to  transi>ort  him  from  New  York  to  Indiana  in 
those  days.  A  letter  written  by  his  former  own- 
er, CoL  Morris  accompanied  Balco  on  the  trip, 
addressed  to  **  Railroad  and  steamboat  agents  en 
route  to  Cambridge  City,"  bespeaking  sy^ecial 
attention  to  the  wants  of  **this  very  valuable 
bull." 

Gen.  Meredith  was  an  exhibitor  at  the  first  United 
States  Cattle  Show,  held  at  Springfield,  0.,  in  1857, 
where  a  firize  of  $5rX)  was  ofTerf^l  for  the  best  Short- 
horn herd.  There  were  five  herds  in  competition — 
two  from  Ohio,  two  from  Kentucky  and  Gen.  Mere- 
dith's  from  Indiana.  TViere  were  five  judges,  two 
of  which  voted  for  the  Indiana  herd,  two  for  the 
Ohio  herd  and  one  for  the  Kentucky  herd.  After 
two  days'  fruitless  balloting  the  committee  unani- 
mously made  the  rather  remarkable  recommenda- 
tion that  no  premium  be  bestowed,  but  that,  instead, 
the  money  remain  in  the  society's  treasure' I  And  it 
was  so  ordered.     Gen.  Meredith  was  considered  a 


PROGRESS  IX   THE  CENTRAL   WEST  323 

fine  judge  not  only  of  cattle  but  of  Southdown  sheep, 
improved  swine  and  high-class  horses,  and  unques- 
tionably rendered  the  farmers  of  the  State  of  his 
adoption  signal  service  along  the  line  of  live-stock 
breeding.  He  w^as  a  gallant  soldier  during  the  War 
of  the  Rebellion,  commanding  the  famous  "Iron 
Brigade"  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  We  shall 
have  occasion  a  little  further  on  to  make  references 
to  some  of  the  more  valuable  animals  included  in 
the  Oakland  Herd  in  its  prime. 

Thos.  Wilhoit  of  Henry  County  was  another  of 
the  Indiana  pioneers  whose  herd  achieved  celebrity. 
He  began  with  Short-horns  in  1851,  when  he  bought 
of  Milton  Thornburg  of  Wayne  County  two  heifers 
and  a  bull.  They  were  good  cattle  for  that  day, 
although  unrecorded.  It  is  related  that  Mr.  Wilhoit 
paid  $35  per  head  for  these  unregistered  animals, 
and  his  neighbors  and  friends  considered  this  pure 
extravagance  and  laughed  at  what  they  termed  his 
folly.  His  experience  with  them  was  nevertheless 
so  satisfactory  that  in  later  years  he  made  several 
journeys  to  Kentucky,  selecting  animals  approach- 
ing as  nearly  as  possible  his  ideal  as  represented  in 
the  beef  type.  He  bought  four  heifers  from  H.  H. 
Hankins  of  Ohio  and  also  purchased  females  from 
W.  H.  Richardson  and  the  administrator  of  T.  G. 
Sudduth  of  Kentucky,  paying  as  high  as  $500  for 
single  animals.  Subsequently  the  Wilhoit  herd  de- 
veloped into  one  of  the  best  in  the  Western  States, 
largely  through  the  use  of  the  Booth-bred  Forest 


324  A  HISTORY  OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Richard  and  Scotch  bulls,  reference  to  which  will  be 
made  further  on. 

Other  enterprising  men  who  helped  to  introduce 
the  breed  into  Indiana  were  J.  M.  Woodruif  of  John- 
son County,  in  whose  hands  Mr.  R.  A.  Alexander 
placed  the  Woodburn  Herd  for  safe-keeping  during 
the  Civil  War;  A.  Root,  Lake  County;  Chas.  Lowder, 
Hendricks  County;  W.  W.  Thrasher,  Fayette  Coun- 
ty: J.  D.  Wilson,  Greensburg;  Alfred  and  Washing- 
ton Hadley,  Parke  County;  Smith  Wooters,  Union 
County,  Jacob  Taylor,  Henry  County;  Joseph  Allen, 
R.  N.  Allen  and  Messrs.  Farrow  of  Putnam  County; 
James  Wright,  Franklin  County;  Messrs.  Lott  and 
T.  S.  Mitchell,  Jefferson  County;  Thos.  E.  Talbot, 
Jefferson  County;  John  Owen,  Monroe  County;  Levi 
Druley,  George  Davidson  and  L.  F.  Van  Schoick  of 
Wayne  County;  Eli  Harvey,  Addison  Hadley  and 
Sidney  Hadley  of  Morgan  County;  W.  I.  Walker  of 
La  Porte  County;  J.  W.  L.  Matlock,  Abram  Hoadley, 
V.  Lingenfelter  and  Alfred  Coffin  of  Hendricks 
County;  Messrs.  Scholfield,  Johnson  County;  Joseph 
H.  Hendricks  and  John  R.  Cravens,  Jefferson  Coun- 
ty; Rockhill  &  Nelson  and  L.  S.  Bayless,  Allen 
County;  Nicholas  Druley,  Union  County,  and  E. 
Pierce,  Whitley  County. 

Pioneer  breeders  of  Michigan. — In  1843  Mr.  A.  S. 
Brooks  of  Oakland  County,  who  had  removed  to 
Michigan  from  New  York  several  years  previous, 
ordered  sent  from  York  State  three  heifer  calves  and 
a  bull  calf,  all  to  be  pure-bred  Short-horns.    With 


PROGRESS  IX    THE   CENTRAL   WEST  325 

the  cows  came  a  lot  of  Merino  lambs.  After  a  peril- 
ous journey  on  the  lake  from  Buffalo  they  were, 
through  the  carelessness  of  an  attendant,  turned 
loose  in  the  streets  of  Detroit  and  were  not  located 
until  three  days  afterward.  They  were  then  driven 
from  Detroit  to  Mr.  Brook's  farm.  Some  idea  of 
the  discouragement  which  attended  early  ventures 
of  this  sort  in  the  West  may  be  gleaned  from  the 
fact  that  one  of  his  neighbors  remarked  after  the 
arrival  of  this  stock:  "The  calves  are  a  very  good 
lot,  but  the  bull  has  evidently  been  fed  on  shortcake 
and  honey.  But  I  do  not  see  what  you  wanted  to 
bring  those  little  lambs  so  far  for.  It  would  take  a 
dozen  of  them  to  make  a  pot-pie. ' '  The  critic  was  a 
man  by  the  name  of  Chapman,  and  his  was  not  the 
first  instance  on  record  where  one  who  "came  to 
scoff  remained  to  pray."  Mr.  Chapman  was  the 
first  to  buy  a  Short-horn  heifer  calf  from  Mr. 
Brooks,  for  which  he  paid  the  magnificent  sum  of 
$10!  It  must  be  remembered  that  this  was  an  era 
of  very  low  prices  and  scarce  money  in  the  West, 
and  the  fact  that  Mr.  Brooks  sold  a  calf  for  such  a 
price  fairly  established  his  reputation  as  a  cattle- 
breeder,  for  the  simple  reason  that  one  could  buy  a 
cow  at  that  period  for  the  price  named.* 

The  first  Michigan  State  Fair  was  held  at  Detroit 
in  1849,  and  Short-horns  were  exhibited  by  Messrs. 
Brooks  and  Ira  Phillips.  The  following  year  the 
show  was  held  at  Ann  Arbor,  and  it  is  recorded  that 


*  Paper  by  N.  A.  Clapp  before  the  Michigan  State  Short-horn  Breed- 
ers' Association,  1881. 


326  A  HISTORY  OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

there  were  thirty-four  head  of  Short-horns  on  exhi- 
bition distributed  among  nineteen  breeders.  Some 
of  these  were,  however,  unable  to  present  satisfac- 
tory evidences  of  pure  breeding  and  were  classed  as 
grades.  In  1851  the  Short-horn  exhibit  had  in- 
creased to  thirty-seven  head.  In  1853  Mr.  Brooks 
sold  at  auction  his  herd  of  non-pedigreed  stock,  and 
then  brought  from  New  York  the  bull  Yonondeo 
1116,  sired  by  Old  Splendor  767  of  the  Weddle  stock. 
He  also  bought  the  yearling  heifer  Fatima,  for 
which  he  paid  $250,  and  in  1858  the  imported 
Gwynne  cow  Camilla.  These  purchases  were  fol- 
lowed by  the  bull  John  o'  Gaunt  1707yo,  a  white, 
sired  by  imp.  John  o'  Gaunt  (11621)  out  of  imp. 
Romelia,  brought  out  from  England  by  Morris  & 
Becar  in  1854.  Soon  after  this  it  is  stated  that  Mr. 
Brooks  sold  a  pair  of  two-year-old  Short-horn  steers 
for  the  very  gratifying  price  of  $228.50.  This  was 
in  1860.  Soon  afterward  he  bred  a  very  famous 
white  heifer  that  attracted  the  attention  of  enter- 
prising farmers  throughout  the  entire  State.  She 
was  fattened  and  bought  by  Mr.  Wm.  Smith  of  De- 
troit, with  the  expectation  of  exporting  her  to  Eng- 
land for  exhibition  at  the  Smithfield  Show.  This 
project  was  not  carried  out,  however,  and  she  was 
slaughtered  in  Detroit.  Imp.  Camilla  gave  Mr. 
Brooks  the  bull  Sunrise  4411.  He  was  white  in 
color,  symmetrical  in  form,  and  of  extraordinary 
handling  quality.  He  remained  at  the  head  of 
the  herd  until  five  years  old,  and  his  descendants 


PKOGEESS  IX    THE   CEXTKAL   WEST  327 

were  for  many  years  much  sought  after  by  Michi- 
gan breeders. 

In  1847  George  W.  Phillips  of  Romeo  began  breed- 
ing from  cows  descended  from  the  importations  of 
Messrs.  Weddle  and  Newbold  of  New  York,  his  first 
bull  being  Young  Splendor  3611.  In  1848  Edward 
Belknap  of  Jackson  County  founded  a  herd  with 
the  bull  American  Comet,  a  son  of  the  Bell-Bates 
cow  imp.  Hilpa,  at  the  head.  Mr.  Belknap 's  founda- 
tion cow  was  Estelle  2d,  descended  from  Whitaker 
stock.  Messrs.  Moore  of  Kalamazoo  County  owned 
a  few  Short-horns  in  the  early  fifties.  In  1857  Mr. 
D.  M.  Ulil  of  Ypsilanti  appears  as  an  exhibitor  and 
breeder.  About  the  same  time  Silas  Sly  of  Wayne 
County  engaged  in  the  trade  and  was  a  successful 
showman  at  the  Michigan  State  Fairs.  In  1855  Mr. 
J.  B.  Crippen  of  Coldwater  entered  the  lists  and 
pushed  the  breed  with  vigor.  He  was  quite  an  ex- 
tensive breeder  and  did  much  to  encourage  the  use 
of  Short-horn  bulls  throughout  the  State.  In  the 
spring  of  1857  William  Curtis  &  Sons  of  Hillsdale 
County  laid  the  foundation  of  a  herd  which  after- 
ward became  very  prominent  in  the  State.  In  1861 
they  bought  the  entire  Crippen  herd,  and  in  1864 
secured  the  bull  Llewellyn  6596  from  J.  0.  Sheldon 
of  New  York.  They  afterward  visited  Kentucky 
and  purchased  females  of  the  Illustrious,  Harriet, 
Young  Mary,  Young  Phyllis  and  White  Rose  tribes, 
as  well  as  the  bull  J.  E.  B.  Stuart,  that  was  shown 
with  great  success.     Other  Michigan  breeders  re- 


328  A   HISTORY  OF   SHOET-HORX   CATTLE 

cording  in  Vol.  V  of  the  Herd  Book,  issued  in  1861, 
were  B.  J.  Bidwell  of  Tecumseli — who  seems  to  have 
started  his  herd  with  cattle  purchased  mainly  in 
Ohio  and  Kentucky;  his  foundation  stock  consisting 
largely  of  ''Seventeens,'-'  Daisys  (by  Wild),  Ame- 
lias, etc. — and  M.  Shoemaker  of  Jackson,  whose 
Belleflowers  (of  the  Pansy  tribe)  obtained  a  good 
local  reputation.  The  latter  also  had  the  Estervilles 
of  the  E.  P.  Prentice  (N.  Y.)  stock. 

Amos  F.  Wood  of  Mason  became  interested  in 
Short-horn  breeding  as  early  as  1852  in  the  State 
of  New  York  before  his  removal  to  Michigan.  In 
1867  he  brought  to  the  latter  State  representatives 
of  several  well-knowm  Eastern  families,  such  as 
Pansy,  by  Blaine,  and  Bright  Eyes,  by  Favorite. 
He  bred  these  two  families  until  1872,  when  he  add- 
ed another  Pansy  and  a  Bloom  heifer.  He  contin- 
ued breeding  from  this  stock  until  June,  1874,  v/hen 
they  were  sold  at  auction  at  an  average  of  $271.50. 
Mr.  Wood  was  a  Short-horn  enthusiast  and  after- 
ward established  another  herd. 

First  Short-horns  west  of  the  Mississippi. — The 
first  pedigreed  Short-horn  cattle  taken  west  of  the 
Mississippi  Eiver  of  which  we  have  any  record  were 
those  with  which  the  late  N.  Leonard  founded  his 
Ravenswood  Herd  in  Cooper  Co.,  Mo.  This  was  in 
1839,  at  which  date  Mr.  Leonard  bought  from  George 
Renick  of  Ohio  the  bull  Comet  Star  9676.  It  is  of 
interest  to  note  that  this,  probably  the  first  pedi- 
greed Short-horn  bull  ever  seen  in  the  trans-Missis- 


PKOGEESS  IX   THE  CENTEAL   WEST  329 

sippi  region,  was  a  white.  He  was  a  yearling,  sired 
by  imp.  Comet  Halley  (1855)  out  of  imp.  Evening 
Star.  Along  with  him  came  the  heifer  Queen,  by 
imp.  Acmon  (1606)  out  of  Lady  Paley  by  Rantipole 
855 ;  second  dam  imp.  Flora  by  son  of  Young  Albion 
(15).  For  these  the  sums  of  $600  and  $500  respec- 
tively were  paid.  They  were  shipped  via  steamer 
on  the  Ohio,  Mississippi  and  Missouri  rivers,  being 
landed  at  Booneville  at  large  expense  for  transpor- 
tation. From  these  Mr.  Leonard  bred  a  number  of 
fine  cattle,  and  they,  with  their  produce,  were  ex- 
hibited at  the  earliest  Missouri  fairs.  Thus  was  the 
breed  introduced  into  the  farther  West;  the  Ravens- 
wood  Short-horns  commanding  the  admiration  of 
the  pioneer  farmers  of  that  period.  Li  1853  Mr. 
Leonard  bought  the  bull  Malcolm  10436,  a  red-roan 
descended  from  imp.  Teeswater,  by  Belvedere.  He 
proved  a  good  sire.  The  first  ''State  fair''  held  in 
Missouri  occurred  at  Booneville  in  1852,  Mr.  Leon- 
ard being  an  exhibitor  and  receiving  many  prizes. 
He  continued  to  exhibit  stock  at  various  fairs,  al- 
ways with  success,  until  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Civil  War. 

The  early  volumes  of  the  herd  book  indicate  that 
pure-bred  Short-horns  were  owned  in  Missouri  prior 
to  and  during  the  early  days  of  the  war  by  the  fol- 
lowing: Thomas  S.  Hutchinson,  who  was  associated 
with  Mr.  Leonard;  Elisha  N.  Warfield,  Horace  H. 
Brand  and  David  Castleman  of  Cooper  County;  H. 
Larimore,  Callaway  County;  James  R.  Hughes,  Pet- 


330  A  HISTORY  OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

tis  County;  Messrs.  Brown,  Saline  County;  James 
Doneghy,  Jackson  County;  Messrs.  Hubbell,  Ray 
County;  Lewis  Bryan,  Elmira;  J.  A.  Talley,  St. 
Charles  County;  B.  S.  Wilson,  Booneville;  W.  D. 
McDonald,  Gallatin;  D.  K.  Pitman,  St.  Charles 
County,  and  Messrs.  McHatton  and  Phillips  of  St. 
Louis  County.  At  a  little  later  period  Messrs.  H.  V. 
P.  Block  of  Pike  County,  Richard  and  William  Gen- 
try of  Sedalia;  C.  E.  Leonard,  Jeff  Bridgford,  John 
G.  Cowan,  the  Duncans,  J.  H.  Kissinger  and  many 
others  became  prominent  in  the  trade. 

Foundation  stock  in  Iowa. — In  the  report  of  the 
ninth  Iowa  State  Fair,  which  was  held  in  1862,  it  is 
stated  that  Judge  T.  S.  Wilson  of  Dubuque  was  a 
breeder  of  Short-horns  twenty  years  prior  to  that 
date,  which  would  indicate  that  specimens  of  the 
breed  were  taken  to  Iowa  as  early  as  1842.  He  ex- 
hibited at  the  fair  mentioned  a  white  bull  called 
Rocket.  At  the  first  Iowa  State  Fair,  which  was 
held  at  Fairfield  in  1854,  Mr.  H.  G.  Stuart  of  Lee 
County  and  Timothy  Day  of  Van  Buren  County  ex- 
hibited Short-horns,  or  ^'Durhams,''  as  they  were 
then  commonly  called  in  the  West.  In  1858  J.  H. 
Wallace,  at  that  time  Secretary  of  the  Iowa  State 
Agricultural  Society,  published  what  he  termed  the 
Iowa  Herd  Book  and  continued  it  for  a  few  years. 
An  examination  of  these  volumes  shows  no  record 
of  cattle  calved  prior  to  1849,  and  most  of  them  were 
bred  in  the  early  fifties.  Col.  E.  W.  Lucas  of  Iowa 
City  bought  a  Short-horn  bull  as  early  as  1845,  and 


PROGRESS  IX   THE  CEXTRAL  WEST  331 

there  is  a  record  of  a  pure-bred  bull  having  been 
taken  into  Muscatine  County  by  Charles  A.  Warfield 
in  1841.  These  are  the  first  references  we  have  to 
the  introduction  of  the  breed  into  the  ^'Hawkeye*' 
State.* 

So  far  as  herd-book  records  reveal  the  facts,  the 
first  pure-bred  Short-horn  produced  in  the  State  of 
Iowa  was  the  bull  Marion  1833,  registered  as  bred 
by  and  the  property  of  Samuel  Hollingsworth,  Pilot 
Grove,  Lee  County,  calved  April  4,  1851,  sired  by 
Fremont  516  and  tracing  on  dam's  side  to  Lady 
Washington  by  Diomed,  said  to  have  been  imported 
in  1837,  but  as  to  the  facts  connected  with  her  im- 
portation all  Short-horn  records  are  silent.  Mr. 
Hollingsworth  seems  to  have  owned  several  females 
belonging  to  this  same  Lady  Washington  family, 
which  will  be  found  recorded  in  the  early  volumes 
of  the  herd  book.  We  should  place  the  beginning  of 
his  work  a  few  years  prior  to  1850. 

Mr.  Timothy  Day  of  Van  Buren  County  was  one 
of  the  first  to  begin  in  a  systematic  way  the  breeding 
of  registered  Short-horn  cattle  in  Iowa.  He  com- 
menced about  1854,  his  foundation  stock  being  ob- 
tained mainly  from  Kentucky,  and  consisted  of  ani- 
mals descending  from  the  importation  of  1817.  The 
earliest  sires  used  in  his  herd  seem  to  have  been 
Fillmore  2855,  a  light  roan,  bred  by  E.  G.  Bedford 
and  -sired  by  the  Louan  show  bull  Perfection  810, 
and  Star  of  the  West  3469,  a  Mrs.  Motte  bull  of 


*We  are  indebted  for  these  facts  to  Mr.  H.  W.  Lathrop  of  Iowa  City. 


332  A   HISTORY  OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Brutus  J.  Clay's  breeding.  He  also  seems  to  have 
used  the  bull  Nicholas  Jr.  752,  a  white,  bred  by  Jere 
Duncan  and  sired  by  D'Otley  432,  tracing  to  imp. 
Fashion.  At  least  he  recorded  females  in  Vol.  IV 
of  the  American  Herd  Book,  entering  them  as  bred 
by  himself  and  sired  by  that  bull.  It  is  possible 
that  he  simply  bought  the  dams  in  Kentucky  in  calf 
to  this  bull  and  recorded  the  progeny  as  his  own 
breeding  on  account  of  their  having  been  dropped 
in  his  possession.  During  the  great  extension  of 
Short-horn  breeding  in  the  West,  following  the  War 
of  the  Rebellion,  the  Day  herd  became  one  of  the 
most  prominent  in  the  Western  States  through  the 
enterprise  of  Messrs.  A.  H.  &  I.  B.  Day,  who  pur- 
chased and  bred  some  of  the  best  cattle  ever  owned 
in  the  State  of  Iowa,  and  exhibited  them  with  suc- 
cess in  competition  with  the  leading  herds  of  the 
time. 

Contemporary  with  the  elder  Day,  Mr.  H.  G. 
Stuart  of  Lee  County  founded  a  herd  and  bred 
Short-horns  in  considerable  numbers,  descended 
mainly  from  cows  of  Kentucky  breeding,  a  majority 
of  them  belonging  to  the  ^^ Seventeen''  and  Rose,  by 
Skipton,  families.  One  of  his  earliest  bulls  appears 
to  have  been  the  light  roan  Tom  Claggett  2299,  bred 
in  Bourbon  Co.,  Ky.,  by  Peter  Hedges.  About  this 
same  date — 1854 — an  organization  known  as  the 
Ohio  Stock-Breeding  Co.  operated  quite  largely  in 
Ohio-bred  Short-horns  in  Butler  County,  making 
their  purchases  mainly  from  the  herds  of  Messrs. 


PROGRESS  IN^   THE  CEXTRAL   WEST  333 

Dun,  Harrold,  Jacob  Pierce  and  tlieir  contempo- 
raries. They  seem  to  have  pushed  their  business 
with  vigor;  at  any  rate  they  were  enterprising- 
enough  to  have  prepared  and  inserted  in  Vol.  Ill  of 
the  herd  book,  published  in  1857,  an  illustration  of 
their  big  red-and-white  Caroline,  by  Dashwood,  cow 
Quince,  of  James  Dun's  breeding.  In  this  same  vol- 
ume of  the  herd  book  Peter  Melendy  of  Butler  Coun- 
ty first  appears  as  the  owner  of  the  Ohio-bred  light- 
roan  '^Seventeen"  cow  Artemesia  3d,  whose  bull 
calf  of  December,  1857 — Champion  2615 — was  sold 
to  William  Briden  of  Bremer  County.  Mr.  Melendy 
seems  to  have  first  used  the  bull  Young  Colonel 
3584,  bred  by  John  G.  Dun  of  Ohio.  He  sold  an 
Artemesia  heifer,  calved  in  1858,  to  George  Clark  of 
Cedar  Falls.  Among  the  other  owners  of  Short- 
horns in  Iowa  in  the  "fifties"  were  John  Patterson 
of  Burlington;  B.  N.  Moore  of  Van  Buren  County; 
George  Griff  en  of  Monroe  County;  J.  H.  Majors  of 
Mahaska  County;  John  E.  Teter  of  Jasper  County, 
who  owned  a  roan  Ohio-bred  Pose  of  Sharon  cow 
that  was  calved  in  1856;  and  W.  Duane  Wilson  of 
Fairfield,  who  appears  in  Vol.  Ill  as  the  owner  of 
an  Ohio-bred  Rosabella. 

About  1860  a  religious  order  holding  3,000  acres 
of  good  land  in  Dubuque  County  under  the  title  of 
the  Corporation  of  New  Melleray*  established  a  herd 
of  Short-horns.    They  bred  largely  from  stock  trac- 


*The  Brothers  making  up  this  Catholic  organization  came  originally 
from  Ireland  in  1831  ;  establishing  upon  the  fertile  body  of  land  secured 
in  Dubuque  County  what  is  known  as  New  Melleray  Abbey, 


334  A  HISTORY  OF   SHOET-HORN  CATTLE 

iiig  to  the  importation  of  1817;  one  of  their  earliest 
bulls  having  been  Emperor  3910,  bred  by  Capt. 
James  N.  Brown  of  Illinois  and  sired  by  imp.  King 
Alfred.  One  of  their  foundation  cows  was  the  roan 
Beauty  Spot — a  daughter  of  Mr.  AVarfield's  Renick 
903 — bred  in  Kentucky  in  1854.  They  also  pur- 
chased a  cow  from  Hon.  J.  D.  Smith  of  Illinois,  and 
another  bred  in  1854  from  John  P.  Henderson  of 
Morgan  Co.,  111.  It  was  from  this  corporation  that 
^^ Uncle  John"  G.  Myers  of  Washington  County 
bought  his  first  Short-horns  in  the  early  ''sixties"; 
hauling  them  across  country  in  wagons. 

Such  were  the  beginnings  of  the  Short-horn  trade 
in  the  great  cattle-growing  State,  which  perhaps 
now  numbers  within  its  borders  more  herds  than  any 
other  State  in  the  Union. 

Early  Wisconsin  herds. — We  have  referred  on 
page  263  to  an  importation  made  into  Wisconsin 
direct  from  England  by  John  P.  Eoe  of  Waukesha 
County  in  1854.  Mr.  Roe  bred  from  imp.  Raspberry 
and  other  females  for  some  years,  his  herd  being  a 
source  of  supply  for  the  farmers  of  that  part  of  the 
State.  So  far  as  we  can  ascertain,  however,  a  start 
in  Short-horn  breeding  had  been  made  shortly  be- 
fore this  importation;  the  earliest  owners  of  regis- 
tered stock  in  the  State  being  Messrs.  C.  H.  Williams 
of  Baraboo  and  Lambert  H.  Kissam  of  Berlin,  Mar- 
quette County.  Mr.  Kissam 's  operations  do  not  ap- 
pear to  have  been  very  extensive,  but  the  Williams 
herd  was  maintained  for  many  years  and  became 


PROGRESS  I^   THE  CENTRAL  WEST  335 

prominent.  G.  W.  Bicknell  of  Rock  County  appears 
in  the  herd  book  as  an  owner  of  registered  Short- 
horns prior  to  1860,  as  does  also  the  late  Eichard 
Richards  of  Racine.  Mr.  Richards  was  a  devoted 
admirer  of  improved  farm  stock,  and  secured  his 
first  Short-horns  from  Northern  Illinois  herds  and 
by  purchase  in  Ohio.  One  of  his  first  investments 
was  the  Rose  of  Sharon  cow  Camilla  and  her  heifer 
calf,  bought  of  Edward  Bebb  of  Winnebago  Co.,  111. 
These  were  of  Harness  Renick's  (Ohio)  sort.  In 
the  fourth  volume  of  the  herd  book  entries  were 
made  by  Messrs.  E.  E.  Elkins  of  Kenosha,  A.  G. 
Knight  of  Racine  and  C.  F.  Hammond  of  Fond  du 
Lac  County,  all  of  whom  owned  Short-horns  prior 
to  1859.  During  the  war  little  was  done  in  the  way 
of  extending  the  trade  in  this  State,  but  Wisconsin 
took  a  prominent  part  in  the  great  revival  of  inter- 
est in  the  breed  that  occurred  immediately  after  the 
conclusion  of  peace. 

Activity  in  the  show-yard.— While  it  thus  appears 
that  the  foundations  of  Short-horn  breeding  had 
been  laid  throughout  the  central  corn  belt  of  the 
Middle  West  prior  to  the  Civil  War,  it  was  not  until 
about  1865  that  the  business  received  impetus  suffi- 
cient to  enlist  general  attention.  Quick  to  realize 
the  advantage  of  public  exhibitions  as  a  means  of 
bringing  the  breed  to  the  notice  of  the  farming  com- 
munity, enterprising  men  began,  about  the  date  men- 
tioned, to  seek  for  the  best  obtainable  specimens 
for  show-yard  purposes.    Conspicuous  among  those 


336  A  HISTORY  OF   SHORT-HORN  CATTLE 

who  came  to  the  front  in  this  line  of  work  were  the 
breeders  of  the  State  of  Illinois.  They  had  already 
taken  the  lead  so  far  as  the  new  West  was  concerned 
when  they  made  the  importation  of  1857,  and  they 
now  began  a  campaign  in  behalf  of  Short-horns  at 
the  fairs  that  proved  productive  of  far-reaching  re- 
sults, bringing  to  the  support  of  the  trade  scores  of 
new  recruits  whose  liberal  investments  and  enter- 
prise spread  the  reputation  of  the  Short-horn 
throughout  the  largest  area  of  rich  corn  and  blue- 
grass  land  in  the  world.  Some  of  the  more  im- 
portant of  these  show-yard  operations  leading  up  to 
the  great  "boom"  of  the  "seventies"  will  now  be 
noticed. 

William  R.  Duncan  and  Minister  6363.— Mr.  Wil- 
liam E.  Duncan,  a  Kentuckian  who  removed  to  Mc- 
Lean Co.,  111.,  about  1864,  had  bred  cattle  for  many, 
years  in  his  native  State,  having  had  in  service  at 
one  time  in  his  Clark  County  herd  Mr.  Alexander's 
imp.  Orontes  2d  (11877),  which  he  had  hired  in  the 
fall  of  1855  for  one  year  at  $655.  He  brought  with 
him  to  Illinois  a  good  lot  of  stock,  including  quite  a 
number  of  Vanmeter  Young  Marys,  Phyllises,  etc., 
and  also  the  roan  Woodburn-bred  bull  Oxford  Wiley 
8753,  sired  by  imp.  Eoyal  Oxford  (18774)  out  of  a 
Miss  Wiley  dam.  This  bull  subsequently  became 
the  property  of  J.  B.  Eyburn  of  Bloomington.  Mr. 
Duncan  is  chiefly  distinguished,  however,  in  con- 
nection with  Western  Short-horn  history  by  reason 
of  his  exhibition  of  the  show  bull  Minister  6363,  bred 


PKOGRESS  IX   THE  CENTRAL   WEST  337 

by  R.  A.  Alexander,  calved  in  1863  and  brought  to 
Illinois  by  Mr.  Duncan  as  a  two-year-old  in  1865.  He 
was  a  strong-backed  red,  of  great  scale  and  fine 
style;  indeed  quite  a  typical  specimen  of  the  class 
of  bulls  then  so  popular  in  Ohio  and  Kentucky.  He 
was  sired  by  the  Filbert  Bell-Bates  bull  Lord  Derby 
4949*  out  of  Minna  2d  by  imp.  Duke  of  Airdrie 
(12730);  second  dam  the  red  cow  Minna  by  Bride- 
groom, which  Mr.  Alexander  had  imported  from  the 
herd  of  Mr.  Fawkes  of  Farneley  Hall. 

Minister  was  not  only  one  of  the  star  show  bulls 
of  his  day  in  Illinois  but  sired  show  stock,  one  of 
his  best  sons  being  the  prize  bull  Eoyal  Rose  12852, 
that  was  out  of  a  Vanmeter  Red  Rose-Young  Mary 
dam  and  sold  at  auction  in  1874  for  $1,000.  Minister 
was  also  the  sire  of  the  roan  Miss  Leslie,  a  Young 
Mary  that  sold  at  Col.  King's  Dexter  Park  sale  in 
1874  along  with  her  daughter  by  Gen.  Napier  for 
$4,020  to  the  late  C.  A.  DeGraff  of  Minnesota.  He 
was  also  the  sire  of  the  Young  Phyllis  show  cows 
Pattie  Moore,  Pattie  Moore  2d  and  Queen  of  the 
Meadows. 

J.  M.  Hill's  sale. — Among  the  earlier  Illinois 
breeders  who  took  an  interest  in  the  show-ring  was 
Mr.  J.  M.  Hill  of  Harristown.  Like  most  of  the 
other  Western  breeders  of  that  day  he  had  relied 
largely  upon  Kentucky  for  his  breeding  stock,  and 
he  not  only  bought  some  good  cattle  from  the  blue- 


*Lord  Derbv  w^as  sired  bv  Albion  2482,  a  white  bull  by  imp.  Grand 
Turk  (12969) — a  Bates-erossed  Booth.  Albion's  dam  was  imp.  Frances 
Fairfax,  bred  by  Mr.  Ambler  and  a  half-sister  to  Mr.  Cruickshank's 
noted  stock  bull  Lord  Ragland,  by  Crusade   (7938). 


338  A   HISTORY   OF    SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

grass  country  but  had  secured  the  services  as  herds- 
man of  David  Grant,  who  had  been  for  a  time  in  the 
employ  of  Geo.  M.  Bedford.  Grant  was  a  Scotch- 
man, who  had  gone  from  Canada  to  Kentucky  to 
feed  show  stock,  and  later  on  had  charge  of  some  of 
the  most  celebrated  prize-winners  ever  shown  in  the 
West.  Mr.  Hill  died  suddenly  at  Quincy,  111.,  while 
the  Illinois  State  Fair  of  1867  was  in  progress,  and 
Nov.  20  of  that  year  his  herd  w^as  closed  out  at  auc- 
tion under  the  management  of  J.  H.  Pickrell  as  ad- 
ministrator.* Everything  offered  sold  quickly  at 
good  prices.  It  was  here  that  the  15th  Duke  of  Air- 
drie  was  bought  by  Hon.  John  Wentworth  of  Chi- 
cago for  $1,260,  and  "thereby  hangs  a  tale.''  Hon. 
M.  H.  Cochrane  of  Hillhurst,  Can.,  wanted  this  bull 
and  sent  Simon  Beattie  to  the  sale  to  buy  him.  The 
bidding  was  mainly  by  Mr.  Beattie  and  a  stranger 
whose  identity  was  unknown  to  any  of  the  breeders 
present.  The  "unknown"  had  his  way  in  the  mat- 
ter, and  after  the  Duke  was  knocked  off  to  him  pre- 
sented credentials  from  Mr.  Wentworth,  who  was 
one  of  the  best-known  men  in  the  State.  After  the 
bull  had  been  put  on  board  the  cars  the  buyer  pro- 
duced two  cards,  upon  which  were  written  in  Mr. 
Wentworth 's  own  handwriting  these  words:     "If 


*The  Grove  Park  Herd  of  James  N.  Brown  &  Sons  had  never  failed 
to  get  the  herd  prize  at  the  lUinois  State  Fair  after  the  herd  competi- 
tion was  inaugurated  until  1867  at  Quincy.  At  that  fair  J.  H.  Pickrell's 
herd  was  awarded  the  first  prize  both  for  aged  animals  and  for  young 
herd.  Mr.  Hill,  who  died  on  the  grounds  at  the  close  of  that  show,  won 
the  second  prizes  on  both  herds.  Hill  had  always  said  that  he  would 
just  like  to  hve  long  enough  to  beat  Capt.  Brown's  herd,  so  that  he 
really  accomplished  his  object.  He  was  sick  when  the  show  was  made 
and  died  the  next 'day,  but  he  was  told  that  his  herd  had  beaten  Mr. 
Brown's. 


PROGRESS  IN^    THE  CENTRAL   WEST  339 

this  'greeu-liorn'  of  an  Irishman  gets  lost  send  this 
bull  to  John  Wentworth,  Chicago."  The  cards  were 
tied  to  the  Duke's  horns,  and  it  is  needless  to  say 
he  arrived  safely  at  Summit  Farm,  where  he  did 
good  service  up  to  his  fifteenth  year.  At  this  sale 
Mr.  D.  McMillan  of  Ohio,  whose  herd  w^as  one  of  the 
foremost  of  that  day,  sent  an  unlimited  order  to  buy 
the  cow  White  Lady,  a  daughter  of  imp.  Western 
Lady,  for  w^hich  Capt.  James  N.  Brown  had  paid 
$1,325  at  the  Importing  Co./s  sale  in  1857,  and  se- 
cured her  at  $800. 

J.  H.  Pickrell. — We  now  reach  the  point  where 
consideration  must  be  given  to  the  work  of  Hon.  J. 
H.  Pickrell — the  present  editor  of  the  American 
Short-horn  Herd  Book — formerly  of  Harristown,  111., 
whose  long  and  active  identification  with  Short- 
horn interests  in  the  United  States  calls  for  conspic- 
uous recognition. 

Mr.  Pickrell  descends  from  a  Kentucky  and  Vir- 
ginia ancestry.  His  father  removed  from  Kentucky 
to  Illinois  in  1828,  settling  in  Sangamon  County.  J. 
H.  (or  "Henry,"  as  his  friends  are  fond  of  calling 
him)  was  born  March  20,  1834,  in  this  State.  In 
regard  to  his  earliest  induction  into  the  Short-horn 
trade  we  can  do  no  better  than  quote  the  following 
characteristic  account  furnished    by    Mr.    Pickrell 

himself: 

"The  month  of  September,  1859,  found  me  in  Kentucky  for  the 
purpose  of  attending  the  Bourbon  County  Fair  at  Paris  (that  was 
then  said  to  be  the  oldest  continuous  fair  in  the  United  States) 
and  the  Kentucky  State  Fair,  that  was  held  in  Lexington  the  fol- 


340  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

lowing  week.  Arriving  at  Paris  I  took  a  room  at  the  Bourbon 
House,  expecting  to  occupy  it  during  the  week.  Reaching  the 
fair  ground  soon  after  dinner  I  found  a  large  crowd  in  attend- 
ance. An  Illinois  gentleman  who  happened  to  be  visiting  in  an 
adjoining  county  and  had  come  to  the  fair  recognized  me  and 
informed  one  of  the  directors  that  the  President  of  the  Macon 
Co.  (111.)  Fair  was  on  the  grounds.  The  Marshal  was  at  once 
started  around  the  amphitheater  to  call  me.  I  responded,  sup- 
posing that  he  had  a  telegram  for  me.  He  invited  me  into  the 
ring  and  introduced  me  to  the  officers,  who  no  doubt  thought 
that  Illinois  must  have  been  hard  up  for  men  when  such  a  young 
one  as  I  was  should  be  chosen  for  such  a  position.  I  was  older, 
though,  when  I  resigned  after  nineteen  years'  continuous  serv- 
ice. Whether  they  thought  so  or  not  I  was  heartily  welcomed 
and  royally  entertained  during  my  visit.  At  the  close  of  the 
day's  exhibition  I  was  invited  by  two  or  three  directors  to  go 
home  with  them.  I  at  first  declined,  stating  that  I  had  my  room 
secured  for  the  fair.  After  some  good-natured  contention  between 
them  one  of  them  remarked  that  he  had  one  of  the  nicest  nieces 
in  the  world  and  that  she  was  going  to  his  home  for  the  night. 
The  hotel  room  was  given  up,  and  you  can  guess  which  one  of 
them  I  went  Home  with. 

"The  next  week  the  fair  was  held  at  Lexington.  As  Hon.  Bru- 
tus J.  Clay  was  President  of  both  fairs  and  Mr.  William  Warfield 
one  of  the  chief  managers  of  the  State  Fair;  and  as  the  gentle- 
man who  had  charge  of  the  Bourbon  County  Fair,  together  with 
the  young  people  I  had  met  at  Paris,  were  also  in  attendance,  I 
began  to  feel  that  I  was  not  so  much  of  a  stranger  after  all.  The 
young  ladies  were  nearly  all  daughters  of  prominent  Short-horn 
breeders  and  were  of  course  much  interested  in  the  awards,  and 
we  all  indulged  in  guessing  which  would  win  the  prizes.  It  was 
the  largest  and  much  the  best  display  of  Short-horns  I  had  ever 
witnessed  at  a  fair,  and  I  had  been  quite  successful  in  naming 
the  prize-winners.  When  the  sweepstakes  ring  was  called  from 
thirty  to  forty  cows  and  heifers  put  in  an  appearance.  One  of 
the  young  ladies  remarked  that  she  would  bet  that  I  could  not 
name  the  winner.  I  a&ked  her  to  name  the  stake.  She  laugh- 
ingly said  that  she  did  not  know  what  she  had  to  bet  unless  it 
would  be  herself,  so  it  was  arranged  that  I  should  bet  myself 


PROGRESS  IX    THE   CENTRAL   WEST  341 

against  her.  She  granted  me  the  privilege  of  accepting  the  invi- 
tation that  Mr.  Warfield  had  tendered  me  of  examining  the  ani- 
mals before  the  awards  were  made.  Upon  returning  to  the 
amphitheater  I  named  Emma  Kickman  (Vol.  VIII,  p.  338),  that 
had  just  turned  her  two-year  mark,  and  she  won  the  blue  ribbon 
and  I  won  the  girl  and  got  the  stakes.  Of  course  it  was  a  safe 
bet,  for  had  she  won  I  would  have  paid.  It  was  my  first  and  last 
bet,  and,  as  getting  married  is  a  game  of  chance  anyway,  I  have 
never  been  censured  for  making  it.  And  as  I  had  proved  (to 
myself  at  least)  that  I  knew  a  good  one  (cow,  and  girl,  too)  I 
concluded  to  make  Short-horn  breeding  my  business,  and  under 
the  circumstances  I  do  not  think  that  even  the  Hereford  or  the 
'doddie'  men  would  wonder  at  my  becoming  a  Short-horn 
breeder." 

Sweepstakes  6230. — Mr.  Pickrell's  prominence  in 
the  Western  Short-horn  trade  may  be  said  to  date 
from  the  year  1865,  when  he  purchased  from  George 
M.  Bedford  of  Kentucky  the  red-and-white  Eose  of 
Sharon  bull  Sweepstakes  6230  at  $600  as  a  yearling. 
Mr.  Bedford  had  bought  the  bull  as  a  calf  from 
his  breeder,  Abram  Renick,  for  $150.  Mr.  Pickrell 
had  previously  seen  Minister  6363  and  liked  him  so 
well  that  he  would  have  been  willing  to  purchase 
him  at  a  long  price,  but  Mr.  Duncan  would  not  part 
with  him.  Sweepstakes  had  won  a  championship 
at  the  Bourbon  County  Fair  as  a  yearling,  having 
been  "made  up"  for  that  show  by  the  late  John 
Hope,  afterward  prominent  in  connection  with  the 
Bow  Park  Short-horns  in  Canada.  Sweepstakes  was 
sired  by  Mr.  Eenick's  Airdrie  2478  out  of  Cordelia 
by  Dandy  Duke  2691,  and  therefore  carried  a  double 
cross  of  Mr.  Alexander's  imp.  Duke  of  Airdrie 
(12730).    Mr.  Bedford  afterward  regretted  having 


342  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

sold  the  bull,  but  was  induced  to  do  so  on  account  of 
his  color.  He  had  considerable  white,  and  the  Bed- 
ford herd  at  that  time  included  quite  a  large  pro- 
portion of  light-colored  cows  and  heifers.  As  the 
red  fancy  was  even  then  asserting  itself,  and  as  Mr. 
Bedford  had  been  offered  by  Mr.  Renick  an  own 
brother  to  Sweepstakes  that  was  darker  in  color,  he 
parted  with  the  bull  to  come  to  Illinois.  It  is  related 
that  when  ''Uncle  Abe"  Renick  heard  that  Mr.  Bed- 
ford had  received  $600  for  Sweepstakes  he  decided 
that  his  Bourbon  County  contemporary  should  not 
get  the  calf  that  he  had  already  priced  at  $150.  Mr. 
Bedford  went  over  at  once  to  see  about  it,  and  found 
Mr.  Renick  ill.  The  housekeeper,  who  was  quite  fa- 
miliar with  all  of  Mr.  Renick 's  eccentricities,  ad- 
vised Mr.  Bedford  not  to  notice  what  the  old  gentle- 
man had  said,  saying  ' '  old  Abe  never  would  do  any- 
thing when  he  was  sick.''  This  did  not  satisfy  Mr. 
Bedford,  however,  and  he  left  and  never  secured  the 
bull.  Mr.  Pickrell  states  that  Mr.  Bedford  there- 
upon offered  him  the  choice  of  his  entire  herd  if 
he  would  leave  Sweepstakes,  but  as  he  (Pickrell) 
was  desirous  of  securing  a  first-class  show  bull  he 
declined  to  avail  himself  of  this  privilege  and 
shipped  the  bull  to  Illinois.* 


*The  first  Short-horn  Mr.  Pickrell  purchased  for  breeding  purposes 
was  Lord  Highland  4113,  which  came  to  the  farm  in  August,  1860.  In 
January,  1861,  he  brought  from  Kentucky  Duke  of  Rockland  2785  and 
three  young  bulls  and  seven  cows  and  heifers.  They  were  good  ones 
of  "Seventeen"  extraction.  The  next  addition  to  the  herd  was  in  June. 
1863,  when  purchases  were  made  in  Kentucky  from  William  Warfield, 
the  late  James  Hall  and  Maj.  Duncan.  In  1864  stock  was  bought  from 
the  herd  of  Capt.  James  N.  Brown  and  James  M.  Hill  of  Illinois.     In 


PKOGRESS  IX    THE   CENTRAL   WEST  343 

At  tlie  time  Sweepstakes  landed  in  Illinois  Dun- 
can ^s  Minister  was  having  it  all  his  own  way  in  the 
West,  but  Mr.  Pickrell's  purchase  soon  acquired 
rank  over  him.  The  first  meeting  of  these  two  young 
bulls  occurred  at  the  Illinois  State  Fair  at  Chicago 
in  1866.  Minister  was  a  year  older  than  Sweep- 
stakes, and  in  their  respective  classes  each  received 
first  prize,  but  in  competition  for  a  $100  bull  cham- 
pionship the  Eose  of  Sharon  was  successful.  The 
following  week  at  St.  Louis  he  again  captured  $300 
in  prizes.  These  victories  were  repeated  at  the  same 
shows  in  1867,  $600  in  money  being  awarded  the 
Pickrell  bull.  Of  the  four  large  prizes  shown  for 
by  these  two  bulls  during  the  years  of  1866-1867, 


1865  came  Sweepstakes  6230  and  the  Phyllis  cow  Kate  Lewis,  of  Ben 
F.  A''anmeter's  breeding — a  cow  that  was  good  enough  to  win  first  prize 
at  the  Illinois  State  Fair  in  1868,  in  competition  with  one  of  the  best 
collections  of  cows  ever  seen  in  the  West,  besides  many  other  prizes. 
Mr.  Pickrell  says  :  "Kate  Lewis  was  one  of  the  best  specimens  of  a 
beef  cow  that  I  ever  saw  and  at  the  same  time  was  the  best  milk  cow 
that  was  ever  in  my  herd.  We  did  not  make  formal  tests  then,  as  they 
do  nowadays,  to  see  the  amount  and  quality  of  milk  she  would  give, 
but  I  often  measured  it  after  a  good  big  calf  had  finished  nursing,  and 
frequently  we  would  get  a  wooden  pail  full.  She  was  the  dam  of  Baron 
Lewis  9484,  that  I  sold  for  $3,000  (the  first  animal  bred  in  Ilhnois  that 
sold  for  that  much).  He  was  her  third  calf  and  she  died  of  milk  fever 
after  he  was  produced."  At  this  same  time  Princess  Ann  was  purchased 
from  B.  J.  Clay.  She  produced  Princess  Belle  (Vol.  VIII,  page  516),  a 
heifer  that  won  a  sweepstakes  at  the  Illinois  State  Fair  over;  all  com- 
petitors at  two  years  old.  She  unfortunately  took  the  lump-jaw,  and 
as  medical  aid  failed  to  cure  her  was  slaughtered  and  her  skeleton  was 
preserved  and  mounted  and  sent  to  the  University  of  Illinois,  at  Cham- 
paign. This  was  at  the  beginning  of  the  revival  in  prices,  and  these 
three  animals  cost,  respectively,  $600,  $.400  and  $250.  The  price  was 
thought  by  many  to  be  exorbitant,  but  it  did  not  turn  out  so.  They 
proved  to  be  a  splendid  investment.  The  principal  addition  to  the  herd 
in  1866  was  made  from  Israel  Pierce,  whose  stock  came  from  the  Messrs. 
Dun  of  Madison  Co.,  O.  This  purchase  was  followed  the  next  year  by 
others  from  Messrs.  John  G.  and  W.  D.  Dun,  seven  from  B.  C.  Bedford 
of  Paris  (Ky. )  and  five  from  the  administrator's  sale  of  the  late  J.  M. 


344  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

aggregating  in  value  $1,000,  Sweepstakes  gained 
three,  possessing  a  value  of  $900.  At  the  Illinois 
State  Fair  of  1868  Sweepstakes  won  the  $200  prize 
offered  for  bull  with  five  of  his  get.  In  brief  he  was 
the  ranking  bull  of  the  breed  in  the  West  for  the 
years  mentioned.  He  was  closer  to  the  ground  than 
Minister,  possessed  fine  finish,  ample  substance,  and 
good  depth  and  quality  of  flesh.  He  had  been  well 
handled  from  the  time  Mr.  Hope  had  first  fitted  him. 


Hill,  held  in  November  of  that  year.  In  1868  Hannibal  6838  was  pur- 
chased. Imp.  Duke  of  Airdrie  (12730)  was  his  grandsiie,  great-grand- 
sire  and  great-great-grandsire. 

In  December,  1868,  Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster  7535  and  Prairie 
Blossom,  Vol.  IX,  page  879  (from  the  herd  of  J.  O.  Sheldon,  Geneva,  N. 
Y. ),  were  added.  In  1869  some  cows  were  purchased  from  Thomas  War- 
field  of  Macon  Co.,  111.  In  the  lot  was  the  mother  of  Lord  Highland 
4113.  Her  first  calf  after  coming  into  the  herd  was  Daisy  Booth,  by 
Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster,  that  sold  for  $1,310  as  a  yearling.  In  this 
purchase  also  was  Bride  15th  (Vol.  X,  page  521),  that  produced  Lady 
Bride,  that  sold  at  public  auction  for  $2,850,  and  afterward  won  every 
prize  she  showed  for.  Another  noted  cow  that  came  about  that  time  was 
Lady  Fairy  12th,  from  Mr.  Warfield's  herd,  and  Princess  Royal  oth, 
from  B.  J,  Clay's  herd.  One  or  two  animals  were  added  in  1870.  In 
1871  some  Lady  Elizabetlis  were  bought  from  T.  C.  Stoner,  Macon 
County,  who  had  bouglit  them  from  the  herd  of  the  Messrs.  Hamilton 
of  Kentucky.  In  this  lot  was  a  calf,  Maggie  Ellen  (Vol.  XI,  page  861), 
by  Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster,  that  was  sold  to  the  Government  of  Japan 
for  $1,000,  one  of  the  first  lot  of  cattle  ever  known  to  have  been  ex- 
ported to  that  country. 

Mr.  Pickrell  displayed  a  fondness  for  the  excitement  of  the  show- 
yard  at  an  early  age.  In  the  spring  of  1840  his  grandfather  gave  him 
a  sucking  mare  colt,  and  althougli  the  boy  was  but  six  years  old  at  the 
time  he  rode  the  dam  to  Springfield,  exhibited  the  colt  and  took  first 
prize,  which  was  a  big  silver  spoon,  marked  "Sangamon  County  Agri- 
cultural Society,  1840."  Mr.  Pickrell  has  that  token  of  his  early  show 
ring  prowess  yet.  The  first  year  that  he  owned  a  Short-horn  (1861)  he 
made  an  exhibit  and  won  a  prize.  The  next  year  he  showed  at  Macon, 
Logan  and  Sangamon  County  (111.)  Fairs.  His  career  at  the  Illinois 
State  Fair  commenced  in  1863  and  continued  for  many  years,  in  the 
course  of  which  he  visited  as  an  exhibitor  various  other  State  fairs,  in- 
cluding Indiana,  Ohio  and  Iowa,  and  never  missing  the  St.  Louis  show 
when  they  had  a  fair  at  that  city.  Deducting  amounts  paid  for  trans- 
portation, feed,  etc.,  he  received  during  the  nine  years  from  tlie  fall 
of  1866  to  the  fall  of  1874  $9,120  in  prizes,  and  it  may  also  be  added  that 
during  the  first  fifteen  years  he  bred  Short-horns  he  received  from  other 
breeders  $2,570  for  the  use  of  bulls,  a  certain  indication  that  they  were 
good  ones. 

Mr.  Pickrell  says :  "Just  for  curiosity  at  one  time  I  computed  the  pe- 
riod of  gestation  of  100  cows  in  my  lierd.  The  shortest  period  was  256 
days  and  the  longest  296  days  (both  cow  calves),  the  average  being 
283  days." 


PEOGEESS  I^T    THE  CENTEAL   WEST  345 

and  proved  an  exceedingly  useful  stock-getter,  leav- 
ing many  valuable  calves  in  the  Pickrell  herd.*  He 
was  finally  sold  to  Mr.  G.  J.  Hagerty  of  Ohio,  in 
whose  hands  he  added  still  further  to  his  laurels, 
siring  among  other  choice  stock  there  the  show  heif- 
ers Blue  Belle  14th  and  Bonnie  Belles  7th  and  13th. 
Gen.  Grant  4825. — While  Kentucky  was  the  chief 
source  of  supply  for  the  early  Illinois,  Indiana  and 
Missouri  herds,  it  remained  for  Ohio  to  contribute  to 
the  West  one  of  the  greatest  all-around  show  and 
breeding  bulls  of  American  production  ever  owned 
in  the  Western  States — the  far-famed  Gen.  Grant 
4825.  Few  bulls  can  boast  a  longer  list  of  show-yard 
honors,  and  no  other  sire  ever  used  in  the  State  left 
a  legacy  more  valuable  than  the  daughters  of  Gen. 
Grant  proved  to  be  in  leading  Western  herds. 
Calved  in  1862  in  the  herd  of  D.  McMillan  of  Xenia, 
this  remarkable  bull  was  shown  for  five  years  by 
his  breeder  at  the  leading  fairs  of  Ohio,  Indiana  and 
Illinois  with  but  one  defeat.  Passing  into  the  hands 
of  Mr.  J.  H.  Spears  of  Tallula,  111.,  in  1867,  he  not 
only  continued  to  carry  prizes  at  the  Illinois,  Iowa 


*After  the  Hill  dispersion  sale  Mr.  Pickrell  had  engaged  David  Grant 
to  take  charge  of  his  stock,  and  that  capable  feeder  and  herdsman  was 
identified  with  the  great  triumphs  of  Mr.  Pickrell's  show  herds  most  of 
the  time  until  1875,  and  it  is  not  too  mtich  to  say  that  a  large  share  of 
the  success  attained  was  due  to  "Davy's"  fidelity  and  good  judgment. 

George  Story  was  also  at  Mr.  Hill's  at  the  time  of  the  proprietor's 
decease.  His  brother  William  Story  came  to  Mr.  Pickrell's  in  time  to  fit 
Sweepstakes  and  the  rest  for  the  shows  of  1867.  He  was  also  from 
Canada  and  had  been  working  with  sheep  with  William  Miller.  It  is 
needless  to  say  that  William  was  a  proud  lad  when  his  pets  won  first 
that  year  over  the  Hill  cattle  brought  into  the  ring  by  Grant  and  George 
Story. 


346  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

and  St.  Louis  shows,  but  sired  some  of  the  best  cat- 
tle the  West  has  ever  known. 

Gen.  Grant  came  of  a  noble  ancestry.  His  sire  was 
the  $3,000  bull  imp.  Starlight  (see  page  240),  one  of 
the  best  bulls  ever  owned  in  the  State  of  Ohio. 
His  dam  was  Mr.  McMillan 's  great  show  cow  Jessie 
(winner  of  more  first  and  championship  prizes  at 
leading  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois  and  Kentucky  fairs 
from  1860  to  1867  than  any  other  cow  of  her  day), 
by  Starlight  2d  2259.  It  thus  appears  that  Gen.  Grant 
w^as  the  product  of  mating  a  son  and  a  daughter  of 
old  imp.  Starlight.  The  youngster  grew  to  be  a  re- 
markably compact  bull,  with  the  general  appearance 
at  first  glance  of  being  somewhat  undersized;  but 
in  good  flesh  he  would  tip  the  beam  at  2,400  lbs. 
His  head  was  good — perhaps  a  little  too  masculine 
to  fill  the  eye  of  some;  but  '' sweet '^  heads  are  not 
specially  to  be  desired  in  breeding  bulls.  His  eye 
was  remarkably  mild,  his  neck  short,  his  shoulders 
smooth  and  his  chine  and  back  good.  He  was  rather 
high  at  root  of  tail  and  wanted  filling  at  the  flank; 
but  he  was  well  balanced  in  essential  points,  had  a 
mellow  hide  and  one  of  the  silkiest  coats  of  hair 
ever  seen.  In  disposition  he  was  so  quiet  that  a 
child  could  handle  him,  in  this  respect  resembling 
his  great-grandsire  Mario,  a  bull  that  Judge  Jones 
states  never  required  a  nose-ring. 

Of  the  career  of  Gen.  Grant  in  the  show-ring  it  is 
scarcely  necessary  to  speak  at  length.  In  the  hands 
of  Mr.  McMillan  he  was  exhibited  in  Ohio  and  Indi- 


PKOGKESS  ly   THE  CEXTKAL  WEST  347 

ana  up  to  and  including  his  fifth  year,  and  in  all 
that  time  met  with  but  one  defeat.*    Passing  into 
the  possession  of  Mr.  Spears  he  was  shown  with  his 
get  all  over  the  West,  capturing  the  highest  honors 
in  competition  that  would  astonish  some  exhibitors 
at  the  present  day.    Often  ten  or  twelve  first-class 
herds  and  twenty  to  forty  animals  would  show  in 
single  rings,  and  all  of  them  good  ones.     He  was 
the  first-prize  bull  calf  at  the  Ohio  State  Fair  of 
1862;  sweepstakes  winner  at  same  show,  1863;  first 
in  his  class  same  year  at  Wayne  Co.  (Ind.)  and  In- 
diana State  Fairs;  first  and  sweepstakes  at  same 
fairs,  1864;  first  prize  and  sweepstakes  at  the  Ohio 
State  Fair,  1865;  first  prize  and  sweepstakes  and 
gold  medal  as  prize  bull  with  five  of  his  calves  at 
Indiana  State  Fair  in  1866,  and  at  head  of  prize  herd 
at  same  fair;  first,  with  five  of  his  calves,  and  at 
head  of  prize  herd  at  Ohio  State  Fair,  1866.    In  the 
year  1865  he  stood  at  the  head  of  the  herd  awarded 
first  prize  at  the  Iowa  and  Illinois  State  Fairs.    He 
was  repeatedly  awarded  the  first  prize  at  many 
county  fairs  in  Central  Illinois,  won  first  prize  at 

rc.r!^n  ^"^"^'"1  incident  occurred  one  year  when  Mr.  Spears  exhibited 
Se  w?rth  ^\}^%  ^"^/  °^^^"  ^^^^  ^^  the  Illinois  State  Fair  at  PeorTa 
He  was  the  oldest  and  perhaps  the  largest  bull  in  the  ring  at  the  head 
^L^   n  fu  t^?  regularly-appointed  committee  failed  to  respond  to 

L  rn^nn.^J"''/T^^''^^^^  Concluded  that  he  would  send  in  a  commit- 
tee composed  of  strangers  to  the  exhibitors.  As  there  was  a  big  show 
on  this  action  rather  startled  the  exhibitors.  When  the  "unknowns" 
lerTt^  f^r^'J^"^  °'  Abi^ngdon,  111.,  who  was  showing  h^s  mother's 
herd,  said  to  Mr   Spears:     "Who's  that  committee?"     Mr.  Spears  looked 

fmnl  %Z'nl^^  T,'  YT'"'^  r^'  ^^  '^^"^  '^'^■-  "I  ^«  ^°t  know,  but 
tbP  WH^  ?!.  u  Zi  ^i,«^'"«^-e'-«  «^^  tailors,-  When  after  examining 
^1^  %^^Y  brought  the  first-prize  ribbon  to  Mr.  Spears  Mr.  Byram 
said:      "What  do  you   think  of  them  now?"     "Well,"  said  Spears    ^ 

bun  in  the'r-       ''^'''  "^^  ^"'^'^  ^"^^  ^^"'^  ^^^^  "^^^^  shoes  than  any 


348  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

St.  Louis  and  first  with  five  of  his  get  at  the  Illinois 
State  Fair  at  Peoria  in  1873. 

In  the  herd  of  Mr.  McMillan  Gen.  Grant  proved  a 
most  valuable  sire,  two  of  his  get,  Mignonette  and 
Wenona,  bringing  respectively  $3,800  and  $3,000  at 
his  great  sale  soon  to  be  mentioned.  As  to  what  he 
did  in  Illinois  we  can  do  no  better  than  to  quote 
the  language  of  Mr.  Spears:  "He  was  a  sure  and 
good  server,  and,  allow  me  to  say,  the  best  and  most 
uniform  breeder  I  ever  saw  or  ever  expect  to  see.  He 
never  got  a  calf  in  all  his  long  career  but  what  would 
readily  sell  at  a  first-class  price;  while  as  a  show  bull 
and  getter  of  show  animals  he  stands  unrivaled.'* 
At  Mr.  Spears'  great  sale  of  1875  the  Xelly  Bly  fam- 
ily, largely  the  get  of  Gen.  Grant  (tracing  to  imp. 
Lady  Elizabeth  by  Emperor),  were  pronounced  by 
many  of  the  most  prominent  breeders  of  Kentucky 
and  other  States  the  best  family  of  cows  they  had 
ever  seen  together,  and  the  fine  average  of  over 
$1,500  was  attained  in  the  sale-ring  that  day.* 
Prominent  among  the  Xelly  Blys  may  be  mentioned 
the  5th  and  7th  of  the  family,  the  latter  a  grand 
breeder  and  show  cow  and  sold  for  $2,000.    Of  his 


*CoI.  James  W.  Judy  of  Tallula,  111.,  the  veteran  auctioneer  who  made 
this  sale,  in  response  to  a  querv  as  to  the  character  of  these  cattle, 
under  date  of  Feb.  4,  1898,  said:  "The  Nelly  Blys  bred  by  Mr.  Spears 
were  a  grand  familv  of  cattle — good  feeders,  good  milkers  and  very 
prolific  and  almost  invariably  good  colors  and  very  uniform  in  their 
general  make-up,  which  was  very  neat,  and  I  think  many  of  their 
sterling  qualities  v/ere  largely  due  to  the  blood  of  Gen.  Grant.  He  was 
a  low-down,  well-proportioned,  blocky  bull  :  a  yellow  or  pale  red,  with 
no  white  ;  solid  red,  with  a  remarkably  mellow  hide  and  as  fine  a  coat 
of  silkv  hair  as  I  ever  saw  on  a  bull,  and  was  a  very  uniform  and  regu- 
lar breeder,  and  was  a  great  factor  in  spreading  the  fame  of  the  Spears 
Nellv  Blvs — in  fact  did  more  for  the  reputation  of  Mr.  Spears'  herd  of 
Short-horns  than  any  bull  he  ever  owned,  the  21st  Duke  of  Airdrie  not 
excepted." 


PKOGRESS  IN   THE  CENTRAL   WEST  349 

bull  calves  the  most  noted  that  we  now  recall  were 
Mr.  Kissinger's  famous  Starlight  11018,  Duke  of 
Forest  Hill  (never  beaten  in  the  show-ring  except 
by  bulls  got  by  Gen.  Grant),  and  Major  Story.    The 
two  latter  w^ere  shown  at  all  the  leading  fairs  of  the 
West,  usually  winning  first  and  second.    A  wonder- 
ful show  calf  also  was  Major  Jones,. that  during  a 
whole  fall  campaign  of  State  and  county  fairs  (in- 
cluding St.  Louis)  was  never  beaten,  taking  sixteen 
first  prizes— and  we  believe  every  time  by  a  unani- 
mous vote  of  the  awarding    committee — in    rings 
where  there  were  often  twenty  or  more  competitors. 
It  is  idle  to  attempt  to  say  which  were  most  uni- 
formly good  of  the  get  of  Gen.  Grant— his  bulls  or 
his  heifers.     Mr.  Spears  was  never  able  to  decide, 
and  Mr.  McMillan  often  said,  after  the  bull  came 
West,  that  for  uniformity  of  breeding  he  had  never 
known  the  GeneraPs  equal.    He  died  at  Mr.  Spears' 
Forest  Hill  Farm  at  the  ripe  age  of  fourteen  years. 
Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster.— We  now  have  to  note 
an  epoch-making  event.     Mr.  Pickrell  had  parted 
with  Sweepstakes  and  Spears  was  triumphant  with 
Gen.  Grant.    The  desire  to  gain  honors  in  the  show- 
ring  now  asserted  itself  actively    throughout    the 
West.    Leaders  in  the  trade  sought  in  every  direc- 
tion for  heavy  show-yard  timber.    While  the  Ken- 
tucky and  Ohio-bred  cattle  and  their  descendants 
were  contending  among  themselves  for  the  mastery 
in  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Valleys  Hon.  M.  H. 
Cochrane  of  Hillhurst,  Can.,  began  a  series  of  im- 


350  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

portatioiis  destined  to  produce  marked  changes  in 
tlie  jDrevailing  channels  of  trade.  In  1867  his  agent, 
that  fine  judge  of  a  good  Short-horn,  the  late  Simon 
Beattie,  selected  and  brought  out  by  the  steamship 
Austrian  from  Glasgow  to  Montreal  a  cow  and  a  bull 
calf  that  proved  to  be  makers  of  history.  One  w^as 
Rosedale;  the  other.  Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster  7535. 
Of  the  former  we  shall  have  more  to  say  later  on. 
Of  the  latter  we  must  now  speak  as  a  new  force  in 
the  progress  of  the  breed  in  the  Western  States. 
Greater  cows  than  Eosedale  may  have  trod  Ameri- 
can show-yards.  Greater  Short-horn  bulls  than 
Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster  may  have  '^ starred"  the 
great  show  circuits  of  the  Xation.  History  has 
failed,  however,  to  record  the  names  of  any  such. 
The  Baron  came  from  Scotland.  He  was  bred  by  G. 
R.  Barclay  of  Fifeshire  and  was  got  by  Baron  Booth 
(21212)*  out  of  Mary  of  Lancaster — one  of  a  set  of 
triplets  bred  from  the  herd  of  Amos  Cruickshank 
of  Sittyton— by  Lord  Raglan  (13244).  His  second 
dam  was  Lancaster  25th  (of  same  derivation  as  Mr. 
Cruickshank 's  Lavenders — from  Wilkinson  of  Len- 
ton)  by  Matadore  (11800),  a  bull  that  was  a  brother 
to  Mr.  Alexander's  imp.  Mazurka,  by  Harbinger. 
Mr.  Cochrane  exhibited  the  youngster  as  a  yearling 
at  Montreal,  Hamilton  and  at  the  New  York  State 


*Baron  Booth  was  bred  by  Mr.  R.  S.  Bruere  of  Braithwaite  Hall. 
Yorkshire.  He  was  got  by  Prince  George  (13510)  out  of  Vesper  by 
King  Arthur  (13110),  and  was  bought  by  Mr.  Barclay  when  a  two- 
vear-old  for  $1,000.  He  was  the  sire,  among  other  noted  animals,  of 
the  $6,000  bull  imp.  Cherub  ;  Star  of  Braithwaite  ;  the  great  show  heifer 
Booth's  Lancaster,  Booth's  Seraphina,  and  the  bull  Knight  of  Warlaby, 
used  by  Messrs.  Hunter  in  Canada. 


PROGRESS  IX   THE  CENTRAL  WEST  351 

Fair  in  1868.  At  each  show  he  won  first  in  his  class 
and  headed  the  winning  herd.  A  scale  of  points  was 
used  in  the  judging  at  the  York  State  Fair,  and 
Baron  Booth  was  credited  with  950  out  of  a  possible 
970  points;  1,000  being  counted  as  perfection  in  a 
female,  30  points  being  allowed  for  udder. 

Through  Wm.   Miller  of  Canada,   afterward   of 
Stomi  Lake,  la.,  Mr.  Pickrell  learned  of  the  won- 
derful young  bull  Mr.  Cochrane  had  flashed  upon 
the  public  in  Canada  and  the  East,  and  in  company 
with  W.  R.  Duncan  visited  Hillhurst.     They  found 
the  bull  even  better  than  they  had  anticipated,  and 
for  a  consideration  of  $1,550  Mr.  Pickrell  secured 
him  for  the  Harristown  Herd.*    He  was  brought  to 
Illinois  by  Mr.  Miller,  who  with  characteristic  thrift 
ran  the  gauntlet  of  the  customs  with  a  valuation  of 
$100  on  the  bull.    The  new  arrival  was  installed  in 
his  new  position  in  January,  1869,  where  he  re- 
mained in  service  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
while  en  route  to  the  Illinois  State  Fair  of  1873.    It 
is  doubtful  if  a  grander-backed  bull  has  ever  been 
produced  by  the  Short-horn  breed.     His  top  from 
crest  to  tail-root  was  the  wonder  of  the  time.    Such 
breadth  and  depth  and  evenness  of  flesh  had  not  be^ 
fore  been  seen  in  the  West,  and  his  smoothly-covered 
hips  were  something  of  a  revelation  to  those  who 
had  been  accustomed  to  the  roughness  often  observ^ 
able  at  the  ^^looks'^  in  the  leading  herds  of  that 

n^,to^K"n°"^^*  ^  yearlin?  heifer  on  this  same  trip  out  of  Rosedale  by 
a  Duke  bull,  concerning  Avhich  "Willie"  Miller  savs  •  "The  sire  wa^ 
emphatically  had  and  imijressive.  I  believe  the  heifer  never  bred  which 
was  just  as  well,  for  she  was  a  bad  one."  '  ^"^^" 


352  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

date.  He  was  a  bull  of  magnificent  substance,  pos^ 
sessing  great  depth  of  chest  and  was  heavily  filled 
behind  the  shoulders.  That  he  was  a  kindly  feedei 
is  well  shown  by  the  following  figures:  When  he 
went  into  herdsman  David  Grant's  hands  in  Janu- 
ary, 1869,  he  weighed  1,580  lbs.;  April  28,  1,730  lbs.; 
June  16, 1,810  lbs.;  Aug.  31,  1,965  lbs.;  Feb.  22,  1870, 
2,170  lbs.;  July  1,  1870,  2,290  lbs.;  Sept.  2,  2,400  lbs., 
and  at  full  maturity  2,600  lbs.  He  at  once  took  and 
held  a  commanding  position  in  the  show-ring,  and 
was  never  beaten,  as  a  sire  shown  with  his  progeny. 
It  must  be  remembered  that  we  are  now  dealing  with 
the  days  of  the  battles  of  the  giants  of  the  Western 
arena;  that  the  "all-star''  combination  of  Col.  Wil- 
liam S.  King,  the  like  of  which  has  possibly  not  since 
been  seen  in  America,  Avas  on  the  road;  that  Gen. 
Grant  and  Tycoon  were  in  the  field;  that  ten  to 
twelve  herds  often  entered  the  competition;  that 
sometimes  thirty  to  forty  animals  were  engaged  in 
a  single  ring.  To  have  been  the  most  successful  bull 
of  this  golden  age  of  the  Western  shows  is  sufficient 
to  stamp  Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster  as  the  greatest 
Short-horn  of  his  day  and  generation  on  this  con- 
tinent. 

The  Baron  began  his  career  as  a  show  bull  in  the 
United  States  at  the  Ohio  State  Fair  of  1869  at  To- 
ledo, Mr.  Pickrell  having  shipped  his  Illinois  cattle 
to  that  point,  where  he  met  great  competition,  eleven 
herds  competing  in  the  Short-horn  class.  Daniel 
McMillan  of  Ohio  had  been  winning  the  herd  prize 


PROGRESS  I^   THE  CENTRAL  WEST  353 

at  the  Buckeye  show  for  so  many  years  that  it  was 
considered  rather  presumptuous  on  the  part  of  an 
Illinois  breeder  to  beard  the  lion  in  his  den  in  this 
manner.  On  the  morning  of  the  show  Mr.  Pickrell 
would  have  been  very  willing  to  have  divided  the 
money  with  McMillan,  but  before  night  he  had  been 
awarded  the  $200  prize  for  best  herd,  the  Baron 
also  receiving  first  prize  in  his  class  and  the  $100 
bull  championship.  The  McMillan  herd  was  very 
celebrated  at  this  date,  being  headed  by  the  Canada- 
bred  Plantagenet  6031,  and  included  some  of  the 
best  of  the  Jere  Duncan  (Kentucky)  Louans  and 
other  good  sorts.  Mr.  Pickrell  had  visited  it  before 
the  Toledo  show,  and  then  went  to  Kentucky  to 
attend  the  Bourbon  County  Fair.  Mr.  McMillan 
asked  him  to  examine  the  Kentucky  herds  carefully 
to  see  if  he  thought  it  would  pay  to  send  the  Ohio 
show  herd  to  that  State.  Mr.  Pickrell  reported  fav- 
orably and  the  McMillan  herd  was  so  exhibited,  and 
with  success.  The  Ohio  cattle  were  then  shipped  to 
the  Toledo  and  afterward  to  the  Peoria  (111.)  Fair, 
being  defeated  at  both  points  by  the  Pickrell  herd. 
Soon  after  these  shows  the  Pickrell  and  Spears  herds 
came  together  at  the  Illinois  State  Fair  at  Decatur. 
Messrs.  McMillan  and  Charles'  Fullington,  who  were 
both  noted  Ohio  breeders  of  that  date,  were  present 
as  visitors,  and,  desiring  to  honor  them,  the  superin- 
tendent placed  them  upon  the  committee,  to  which, 
of  course,  nobody  could  object,  although  under  the 
circumstances  it  was  scarcely  fair,  as  Mr.  Spears  had 


354  A  HISTORY   OF   STTORT-HORN   CATTLE 

purchased  Gen.  Grant  from  Mr.  McMillan  and  the 
bull's  dam,  Jessie,  had  been  bred  and  owned  by  Mr. 
Fullington.  They  gave  the  Spears  herd  the  prize. 
After  the  awards  had  been  made  the  gentlemen 
passed  up  to  the  amphitheater,  where  Mrs.  Pickrell 
arid  her  sister.  Miss  Bedford,  who  lived  in  Kentucky, 
were  stationed,  and  of  course  the  award  was  dis- 
cussed in  the  presence  of  the  ladies;  whereupon  Miss 
Bedford  remarked  that  she  was  "getting  scared." 
She  ''didn't  know  Kentucky  was  getting  so  far  be- 
hind. An  Ohio  herd  went  South  and  beat  every- 
thing there  was  in  Kentucky.  This  same  herd  then 
goes  to  the  Ohio  State  Fair  and  an  Illinois  herd 
.comes  along  and  defeats  it.  Then  the  following 
week  the  very  herd  that  beat  the  Ohio  herd  is  beaten 
by  another  Illinois  herd."  So  she  thought  Illinois 
was  getting  clear  ahead  of  Kentucky  and  was  get- 
ting a  little  ahead  of  Ohio.  All  of  which  rather 
annoyed  the  Ohio  breeder  and  incidentally  fore- 
shadowed the  future.  At  this  same  show  Baron 
Booth  of  Lancaster  was  so  unfortunate  as  to  be 
turned  down  to  third  place  in  the  class  for  two-year- 
old  bulls,  first  prize  going  to  25th  Great  Republic, 
owned  by  the  Shakers  and  shown  by  John  Martin, 
and  second  prize  to  a  bull  called  Sucker  Boy  shown 
by  Harvey  Sodowsky  of  Vermilion  Co.,  111.  Neither 
of  these  bulls  cut  any  figure  in  subsequent  showings, 
and  the  committee  that  did  the  work  was  severely 
criticised. 

In  1870  Baron  Booth  was  first-prize  and  champion 


PROGRESS  IN"   THE  CENTRAL   WEST  355 

bull  at  Quincy,  111.,  at  the  Iowa  State  Fair  and  at 
the  Illinois  State  Fair,  champion  at  St.  Louis,  first 
and  champion  at  Canton,  and  stood  at  the  head  of 
the  groups  that  won  the  $100  championship  for  best 
display  at  the  Iowa  Show  and  the  $100  prize  for  the 
bull  showing  five  best  calves  at  the  Illinois  State 
Fair.  In  1871  he  was  first  and  champion  at  the  Illi- 
nois State  Fair,  first  at  St.  Louis,  and  at  the  head 
of  the  first-prize  herd  at  same  show,  besides  winning 
numerous  firsts  and  championships  at  local  fairs  for 
himself  and  get.  In  1872  he  was  again  first  and 
champion  at  the  Illinois  State  Fair,  won  the  $200 
bull  sweepstakes  at  St.  Louis  and  was  everywhere 
first  with  his  get.  In  fact  he  was  never  defeated  in 
showing  with  his  progeny,  and  during  these  four 
years  gained  for  the  Pickrell  herd  prizes  aggregat- 
ing in  value  over  $4,000  cash.* 

As  a  stock-getter  he  "nicked"  especially  with 
cows  and  heifers  by  Mr.  Renick's  old  Airdrie  2478 
and  those  by  the  11th  Duke  of  Airdrie  5533.  It  was 
a  cross  upon  an  Airdrie  cow  that  gave  Mr.  Pickrell 
Baron  Lewis,  a  bull  that  defeated  his  sire  for  the 
bull  championship  at  an  Indiana  State  Fair  and  was 
the  first  bull  ever  bred  in  Illinois  that  commanded  a 


*Mr.  Pickrell  entered  a  competition  at  Canton,  Ul.,  in  1870,  where 
$500  was  offered  for  the  best  display  of  not  less  than  ten  nor  more  than 
twenty  head.  He  had  Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster  at  one  end  of  a  string 
of  eighteen  head  of  nice  cows  and  heifers  and  at  the  other  end  of  the 
line  had  the  Baron's  best  son.  Baron  Lewis.  Mr,  Dunlap  of  Jacksonville 
showed  ten  head  and  was  awarded  first  prize.  The  relative  values  of 
the  competing  lots  may  be  jvidged  from  the  fact  that  Mr.  Dunlap  made 
a  sale  the  following  rear  at  which  his  ten  prize-winners  brought  a  total 
of  $2,700  and  were  considered  well  sold  at  that.  Mr.  Pickrell  sold  Baron 
Lewis  alone  for  $3,000  and  had  his  sire  and  eighteen  cows  and  heifers 
left. 


356  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

price  of  $3,000.  Another  Airdrie  "nick''  was  the 
phenomenal  Lady  Bride,  that  sold  for  $2,850  and 
walked  through  the  Illinois,  Iowa  and  Missouri 
shows  an  undefeated  heifer.  Among  the  great  Baron 
Booths  out  of  the  11th  Duk^  of  Airdrie  dams  may  be 
mentioned  Louan  Hill's  4th  and  5th  and  Caroline 
15th,  all  noted  show  animals. 


CHAPTER  XIII 
THE  BIRTH  OF  A  "BOOM  '' 

While  the  breeders  of  the  Central  West  were  suc- 
cessfully extending  the  Short-horn  power  in  the 
Upper  Mississippi  Valley  States,  largely  through 
the  medium  of  impressive  show-yard  displays, 
operations  were  under  way  in  England  and  the  East 
that  were  soon  to  stir  the  trade  to  its  very  depth. 
Prior  to  the  appearance  in  the  West  of  imp.  Baron 
Booth  of  Lancaster  the  Duke  of  Airdrie-crossed  cat- 
tle— mainly  of  Alexander,  Bedford,  Renick,  War- 
field,  Vanmeter  and  Duncan  origin — practically  held 
undisputed  possession  of  the  field.  Aside  from  Gen. 
Grant  there  were  but  few  great  show  cattle  that  did 
not  carry  some  percentage  of  the  blood  and  show 
more  or  less  of  the  character  of  the  Woodburn  Duke. 
Daniel  McMillan  of  Ohio  had,  it  is  true,  headed  his 
show  herd  with  the  Canada-bred  Plantagenet  6031, 
but  that  bull  was  got  by  Oxford  Lad  (24713),  bred 
by  J.  0.  Sheldon  of  New  York  from  imp.  Duke  of 
Airdrie's  sire  imp.  Duke  of  Gloster  (11382)  out  of  a 
Bates  Oxford  cow,  so  that  he  also  fell  within  the 
rule  that  the  Bates-crossed  Short-horns  were  the 
ruling  ring-side  power.  The  American-bred  cows, 
with  which  the  Bates  blood  had  "nicked"  so  kindly, 
were  possessed,  as  a  rule,  of  sound  constitution  and 

357 


358  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

ample  scale,  and  among  tliem  were  many  extraordi- 
nary milkers.  Some  of  them  were  more  or  less  lack- 
ing in  refinement  of  character.  Under  these  circum- 
stances it  is  easy  to  understand  how  the  Bates  cross 
acquired  i3ublic  favor;  the  prepotent,  fine-styled, 
level-lined  bulls  of  that  strongly-bred  type  stamping 
neatness  and  finish  wherever  their  impressive  seal 
was  set. 

''Royal"  honors  for  Bates  cattle. — On  the  other 
side  of  the  Atlantic,  while  Booth  and  Towneley  had 
been  doing  most  of  the  winning  at  the  shows,  certain 
wealthy  and  enthusiastic  followers  of  the  fortunes 
of  the  Bates-bred  tribes  had  occasionally  tried  con- 
clusions with  their  rivals  at  the  National  shows  with 
good  success.  The  Earl  of  Feversham  was  first  at 
the  Chester  Royal  of  1858  with  5th  Duke  of  Oxford 
(12762).*  At  the  Leeds  Eoyal  of  1861  Col.  Gunter 
won  high  honors,  gaining  first  in  the  cow  class  with 
Duchess  77tli  over  animals  shown  by  Eichard  Booth 
and  Lady  Pigot.  He  was  also  first  in  three-year-old 
heifers  with  Duchess  78th — twinned  with  Duchess 
79th,  that  was  placed  fourth  in  same  class;  Eichard 
Booth's  Soldier's  Bride  being  second.  Li  yearling 
heifers  Gunter  was  first  with  Duchess  83d.  It  soon 
became  evident,  however,  that  the  stock  would  not 
successfully  withstand  forcing  for  this  purpose,  and 
the   show   business   was   not   persistently  pursued. 


*Speaking  of  this  event  Richard  Gibson  says:  "Tliis  was  my  first 
Royal,  and  the  impression  left  upon  my  mind  by  5th  Duke  of  Oxford  has 
never  been  obliterated.  He  was  large  and  carried  lots  of  flesh.  The 
way  he  moved  and  the  air  of  conscious  superiority  he  assumed  I  have 
never  forgotten-" 


THE   BIRTH   OF   A   '^BOOM  ^'  359 

Gunter  had  started  in  1853  with  Duchess  67th  and 
69th,  both  white,  and  Duchess  70th,  red-and-white, 
and  soon  became  the  only  possessor  of  the  tribe  in 
England. 

Duchesses  exported  to  England. — In  the  spring  of 
1861  Samuel  Thorne  visited  England  and  was  be- 
sought on  all  sides  for  Duke  and  Oxford  bulls. 
Accordingly,  he  sent  over  soon  afterwards  the  roan 
3d  Duke  of  Thorndale  2789,  the  roan  4th  Duke  of 
Thorndale  2790,  the  white  5th  Duke  of  Thorndale 
3488,  the  red  Imperial  Oxford  4905,  and  the  heifer 
4th  Lady  of  Oxford.  The  5th  Duke  sickened  on  the 
voyage  and  died  in  Queenstown  harbor,  but  the  rest 
sold  quickly  after  landing  at  Liverpool  at  prices 
varying  from  300  to  400  guineas  each  in  gold.  Of 
these  the  4th  Duke  of  Thorndale  and  Imperial  Ox- 
ford acquired  great  celebrity  in  England  as  sires. 
The  former  was  bought  by  Mr.  Hales  at  400  guineas 
and  earned  that  amount  in  fees  alone  during  the  first 
two  seasons.  At  Mr.  Hales '  sale  in  1862  he  was  taken 
for  the  Marquis  of  Exeter  at  410  guineas  after  a 
sharp  contest  with  Col.  Gunter,  who  subsequently 
acquired  the  bull  (in  1867)  at  440  guineas.  He  was 
maintained  in  service  at  Wetherby  until  his  death  at 
ten  years  of  age  in  1869.  The  4th  Duke  was  sired  by 
Duke  of  Gloster  (11382)  out  of  Duchess  66th,  and 
enjoyed  with  the  7th  Duke  of  York  (17754)  the  dis- 
tinction that  attached  at  tliat  time  to  the  fact  that 
the  pair  were  the  only  ''pure"  Duchess  bulls  in  Eng- 
land.   Of  his  career  abroad  Mr.  Thornton  writes: 


360  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

"The  stock  left  by  this  bull  is  not  only  numerous  but  valuable, 
showing  the  style  and  character  for  which  the  blood  is  remark- 
able. Probably  no  bull  earned  more  money  in  single  fees.  In  ap- 
pearance he  was  a  fine-looking  animal;  his  head  and  crest  were 
magnificent,  his  hind  quarters  long  and  good,  but  the  tail-head 
was  rather  too  high.  His  shoulders,  which  were  perhaps  a  little 
upright,  made  him  appear  somewhat  deficient  behind  them,  and 
the  great  length  of  his  quarters  detracted  from  his  middle.  In 
hair,  quality  of  flesh,  and  in  grandeur  of  style  and  carriage  he 
was  wonderfully  good." 

One  of  the  4tli  Duke  of  Thorndale's  Englisli-bred 
heifers  from  a  Cambridge  Rose  dam  gave  rise  to 
what  is  known  as  the  Thorndale  Roses,  the  original 
heifer  of  that  name  being  sold  privately  in  1864  for 
200  guineas  to  Mr.  Betts.  Her  half-sister,  The 
Beauty,  by  Puritan  (9523),  for  which  Mr.  Jonas 
Webb  gave  160  guineas  at  the  Cobham  Park  sale, 
was  bought  by  Lord  Braybrooke  at  Webb's  sale  of 
1863  in  calf  with  Heydon  Rose,  which  in  the  hands 
of  his  lordship  founded  a  costly  family  bearing  her 
name.  Nine  descendants  of  The  Beauty  at  the  Webb 
sale  made  1,253  guineas;  one  bull,  Lord  Chancellor 
(20160),  afterward  a  Royal  winner,  bringing  400 
guineas. 

Imperial  Oxford  was  extensively  used  upon  the 
Grand  Duchesses,  being  the  sire  of  the  famous  Grand 
Duchess  17th.  4th  Lady  of  Oxford  also  acquired 
renown,  not  only  as  a  breeding  animal,  but  in  the 
show-yard  as  well.  In  1862  Mr.  Thome  sent  to  Eng- 
land Lord  Oxford  3091,  2d  Lord  Oxford,  Bishop  of 
Oxford,  and  Duke  of  Geneva  3858  of  J.  0.  Sliohlon's 
breeding.      These    also    brought    high    prices,    600 


THE  BIETH   OF   A   '   BOOM  361 

guineas  being  obtained  for  the  latter. »  The  Duke 
entered  the  English  show-yard  with  success  and  be- 
came very  famous  in  the  Bates  Short-horn  breeding 
ranks,  dying  the  property  of  Lord  Penrhyn  in  1867. 
These  shipments  were  followed  by  the  exportation 
by  Ezra  Cornell*  of  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  of  the  young  bull 
3d  Lord  of  Oxford  4958,  bred  by  Mr.  Thorne;  that 
also  sold  on  the  other  side  for  600  guineas. 

Early  in  the  ''sixties"  Mr.  E.  A.  Alexander  ex- 
ported to  England  2d  Duke  of  Airdrie  (19600),  5th 
Duke  of  Airdrie  (19601)  and  the  6th  Duke  of  Airdrie 
(19602).  These  all  represented  outcrosses  upon  the 
Duchess  tribe.  The  2d  Duke  was  a  roan  sired  by  the 
Duchess-crossed  Booth  bull  imp.  El  Hakim  (15984). 
He  was  calved  in  the  fall  of  1856  and  in  1859  was 
awarded  a  $1,000  championship  at  the  St.  Louis  Fair. 
He  was  a  bull  of  marked  excellence,  and  became  the 
property  in  England  of  Messrs.  C.  Howard  of  Bid- 
de.nham  and  J.  Eobinson  of  Clifton  Pastures.  The 
5th  Duke  was  also  a  roan,  calved  in  the  spring  of 
1859.  He  was  sired  by  a  bull  called  Lord  Languish 
(20188),  that  had  been  bred  at  Woodburn  from  imp. 
2d  Duke  of  Athol  and  imp.  Lydia  Languish,  by  Duke 
of  Gloster  (11382) ;  a  cow  that  traced  in  the  maternal 


*Mr.  Cornell,  who  was  the  munificent  founder  of  Cornell  University, 
had  made  an  importation  of  Bates  cattle  from  England,  in  1863,  con- 
sisting of  two  Fidget  heifers  (Bell-Bates),  and  a  Kirklevington  from 
C.  W.  Harvey.  He  maintained  a  herd  of  Short-horns  for  a  nvimber  of 
years  ;  the  pedigrees  of  most  of  which  may  be  found  in  Vols.  VIII  to 
XVI  of  the  herd  book. 

Among  otlier  Eastern  breeders  who  were  becoming  prominent  in 
Short-horn  breeding  about  tliis  time  were  Messrs.  A.  B.  Conger.  T.  L. 
Harison,  George  Butts  and  Messrs.  Wadsworth  of  New  York  ;  Messrs. 
Winslow  and  A.  W.  Griswold  of  Vermont ;  Augustus  Whitman  of  Mass- 
achusetts and  B.  Sumner  of  Connecticut. 


362  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORX    CATTLE 

line  to  the  herd  of  Mr.  Eobertson  of  Ladykirk.  The 
5th  Duke  was  used  by  Mr.  T.  Barber  of  Sproatley 
Else.  The  6th  Duke  of  Airdrie  was  a  red,  dropped 
in  the  spring  of  1860  by  2d  Duchess  of  Airdrie  to  a 
service  by  the  white  bull  imp.  Albion,  son  of  imp. 
Grand  Turk  (12969)  and  Fawkes'  Frances  Fairfax. 
The  breeding  of  these  bulls  and  the  fact  of  their  ex- 
portation shows  that  the  fashion  for  cattle  bred 
strictly  in  the  Bates  line  did  not  receive  the  coun- 
tenance of  the  broad-minded  proprietor  of  Wood- 
burn,  and  that  fresh  blood  in  Mr.  Bates'  favorite 
family  was  not  deemed  an  objection  in  the  minds  of 
at  least  a  portion  of  the  English  Short-horn  breed- 
ing public  at  that  date.  Imp.  Albion  was  also  ex- 
ported back  to  England  along  with  these  Dukes  of 
Airdrie. 

The  Grand  Duchesses. — A  very  famous  branch  of 
the  Duchess  tribe,  descended  from  Mr.  Bates' 
Duchess  51st,  had  been  founded  in  England  under 
the  name  of  Grand  Duchesses.  They  originated  with 
Mr.  S.  E.  Bolden  of  Springfield  Hall,  Lancashire, 
who  sought  to  correct  what  he  regarded  as  the  faults 
of  the  Bates  type  by  means  of  fresh  crosses.  Accord- 
ingly he  introduced  extraneous  blood  through  the 
medium  of  the  bulls  Cherry  Duke  (12589),  Prince 
Imperial  (15095)  and  2d  Duke  of  Bolton  (12739). 
The  two  latter  carried  Booth  blood;  the  Prince  hav- 
ing for  dam  Bridecake  of  the  Bliss  tribe,  and  the 
latter  running  to  Richard  Booth's  Fame.  While  the 
family  attained  great  reputation,  and  produced  some 


363 

extraordinary  individual  animals,  such  as  Grand 
Duke  3d  (16182)  and  that  remarkable  cow  Grand 
Duchess  17th,  by  Mr.  Thome's  Imperial  Oxford 
(18084),  some  of  the  partisans  of  Bates  breeding 
have  strenuously  denied  that  the  outcrosses  really 
did  anything  for  the  vitality  of  the  stock.  The  fact 
nevertheless  remains  that  in  later  years  the  so-called 
''pure"  Duchesses  became  totally  extinct,  and  had 
it  not  been  for  the  Airdrie  and  Grand  Duchesses, 
both  of  which  carried  Booth  outcrosses,  Mr.  Bates' 
favorite  family  would  have  disappeared. 

Mr.  Bolden  had  sold  in  1860  twenty  head  of  Bates 
Waterloos  at  an  average  of  £92;  Sir  Curtis  Lampson 
giving  165  guineas  for  Waterloo  20th.  In  1862  he 
disposed  of  his  entire  herd,  including  the  Grand 
Duchesses,  to  Mr.  Atherton,  who  soon  afterward 
parted  with  the  Grand  Duchess  family,  consisting  of 
nine  cows  and  four  bulls,  to  Mr.  Hegan  of  Dawpool 
at  private  sale  for  the  lump  sum  of  £5,000.  Three  of 
these  cows  proved  barren,  and  after  Mr.  Hegan 's 
death  in  1865  the  tribe— by  that  time  numbering 
seventeen  head,  of  which  twelve  were  females  and 
five  bulls — sold  at  a  memorable  auction  held  at 
Willis'  rooms  in  London.  The  Thorndale  bull  Impe- 
rial Oxford  had  been  used  in  the  herd  and  was  also 
included  in  this  sale.  It  had  been  Mr.  Hegan 's  de- 
sire to  close  the  lot  out  as  a  whole,  and  it  was  under- 
stood that  the  Hon.  Col.  Pennant  had  offered  £6,000 
for  the  twelve  females.  This  was  perhaps  the  first 
case  on  record  where  cattle  were  sold  at  auction 


364  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

without  the  animals  being  in  the  presence  of  the 

bidders.    The  stock  had  been  previously  examined  at 

Dawpool. 

The  sale  proved  thoroughly  sensational  in  many 

respects,  as  is  shown  by  the  comments  of  the  London 

press  at  that  time.    From  the  Illustrated  News  we 

quote: 

"A  perfect  bridal  lunch  greeted  the  congress  of  about  120  lead- 
ing Short-horn  men— peers,  M.  P.'s,  clergymen  and  laymen — who 
attended  to  see  the  great  battle  at  Willis'  rooms  over  the  eighteen 
Grand  Dukes  and  Duchesses.  Lord  Feversham  was  in  the  chair, 
supported  by  Gen.  Hood  (who  came,  like  several  other  members 
of  council,  direct  from  Hanover  Square),  and  the  Bates  men  made 
up  a  most  imposing  array,  while  Mr,  Torr  and  Mr.  Thomas  Booth 
were  at  the  head  of  the  great  rival  house  of  'the  red,  white  and 
roan.'  The  noble  chairman  declared  his  Kirklevington  faith  in 
such  unwavering  fashion  that  the  Booth  men  complained  he 
rather  ignored  Bridecake's  share  in  the  Grand  Duchess  pedigree." 

Mr.  E.  L.  Betts,  of  Preston  Hall,  Kent,  bought  the 
whole  herd  of  Grand  Duchesses,  which  were  sold  in 
'^ blocks  of  three."  For  the  first  trio  he  paid  1,900 
guineas;  for  the  second,  1,300  guineas;  for  the  third, 
1,800  guineas,  and  for  the  fourth,  1,200  guineas;  also 
securing  Imperial  Oxford  to  accompany  them  at  450 
guineas.  The  Grand  Dukes  were  scattered ;  the  Duke 
of  Devonshire  buying  Grand  Duke  10th  at  600 
guineas.  The  London  Times  said  on  the  follow- 
ing day: 

"The  splendor  of  such  an  event  almost  pales  the  strongest 
blaze  that  can  be  got  up  by  agricultural  societies.  There  is  no 
such  test  of  value,  no  such  triumph  of  enterprise  as  that  which  is 
obtained  without  shows  and  judges  and  prizes  in  the  auction- 
room.  Here  is  a  plain  commercial  proof  of  what  can  be  done  and 


THE  BIETH   OF  A  ''bOOM  ''  365 

how  far  we  have  advanced  upon  our  forefathers  in  the  matter 
of  kine." 

Mr.  Betts,  the  new  owner  of  the  family,  closed  out 
his  herd  at  auction  in  May,  1867.    He  had  not  been 
particularly  successful.    Grand  Duchesses  10th,  12th 
and  14th  all  died  from  indigestion  and  impaction 
resulting  from  the  feeding  of  undecorticated  cotton- 
seed cake.    The  7th  and  13th  were  slaughtered  and 
his  best  bull  calf  of  the  tribe  died  just  before  the 
sale.     Nevertheless   some   astonishing  prices   were 
made;  the  thirteen  head  bringing  5,615  guineas,  an 
average  of  432  guineas.     Grand  Duchess  17th,  de- 
scribed as  ''a  beautiful  cow  with  good  ribs,  mossy 
coat  and  splendid  touch,''  was  carried  to  850  guin- 
eas, at  which  figure  she  was  taken  by  Capt.  R.  E. 
Oliver  of  Sholebroke  Lodge,  who  also  secured  the 
18th  at  710  guineas.    C.  H.  Dawson  gave  700  guineas 
for  Grand  Duchess  19th;  Lord  Penrhyn  550  guineas 
for  Grand  Duchess  8th,  and  Earl  Spencer  430  guineas 
for  Grand  Duchess  20th. '   The  highest  price  for  a 
bull  was  510  guineas,  paid  by  Mr.  Roberts  for  Grand 
Duke   16th    (24063);   Mr.  A.   Brogden   giving   305 
guineas  for  Grand  Duke  17th. 

Havering  Park  Sale.— In  May,  1867,  Mr.  D.  Mcin- 
tosh of  Havering  Park,  Essex,  Eng.,  who  had  de- 
voted himself  successfully  to  the  breeding  of  Bates 
cattle,  held  a  sale  that  attracted  widespread  atten- 
tion. 3d  Duke  of  Thorndale  and  Grand  Duke  4th 
had  been  largely  used,  and  the  sale  included  four 
descendants  of  Mr.  Thome's  Lady  of  Oxford  4th. 
Her  daughter  Lady  of  Oxford  5th,  ''a  splendid  roan, 


366  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

with  much  substance  and  quality/'  had  been  a  win- 
ner as  a  calf  at  the  AVorcester  Eoyal  in  1863  and  at 
this  sale  brought  the  top  price  of  600  guineas  from 
the  Duke  of  Devonshire.  Baron  Oxford,  a  two-year- 
old  by  the  American-bred  Duke  of  Geneva  (19614), 
was  eagerly  competed  for,  falling  to  Col.  Towneley 
at  500  guineas,  while  his  half-brother  Baron  Oxford 
2d  went  to  Mr.  Holland  at  the  same  price. 

Sheldon  of  Geneva.— Mr.  J.  0.  Sheldon  of  White 
Spring  Farm,  Geneva,  N.  Y.  (not  Illinois,  as  certain 
English  writers  persist  in  putting  it),  upon  whose 
shoulders  fell  the  mantle  of  Samuel  Thorne,  began 
breeding  Short-horns  by  making  the  importation 
mentioned  on  page  262.  A  few  years  later  he  bought 
from  Mr.  Thorne  the  bull  imp.  Duke  of  Gloster 
(11382),  Duchess  64th  and  her  daughter  1st  Duchess 
of  Thorndale,  together  with  Duchess  66th  and  her 
daughter  Duchess  71st.  In  1860  he  bred  from  the 
latter  the  bull  Duke  of  Geneva  (19614),  sold  to  Mr. 
Thorne  and  exported  to  England.  Sheldon  also 
secured  some  of  the  Oxford  blood  from  Thorndale, 
and  in  1860  bred  from  that  family  the  bull  Oxford 
Lad  (24713),  which  acquired  great  reputation  in  the 
herd  of  the  Hon.  David  Christie  of  Canada.  Sheldon 
also  bought  largely  from  Mr.  E.  A.  Alexander,  secur- 
ing a  number  of  the  daughters  of  imp.  Duke  of  Air- 
drie,  among  others  the  Victoria  cow  Vara  (that  be- 
came the  dam  of  the  noted  stock  bull  Weehawken 
5260),  and  females  of  the  Mazurka,  Constance,  Miss 
Wiley,  Vellum,  Jubilee,  Lady  Bates,  Roan  Duchess, 


THE  BIRTH  OF  A       BOOM  367 

Pearlette  and  other  noted  Woodburn  families.  He 
also  bought  from  Mr.  Alexander  the  7th  Duke  of 
Airdrie  5532. 

In  1866  Samuel  Thorne  decided  to  close  out  his 
herd  and  devote  his  entire  time  to  the  leather  trade 
in  New  York  city,  the  business  that  had  been  his 
father  ^s  chief  source  of  revenue,  and  Sheldon  with 
characteristic  shrewdness  bought  the  entire  Thorn- 
dale  Herd  of  Duchesses,  Oxfords,  etc.,  at  a  reported 
price  of  about  $40,000.  This  gave  him  a  monopoly 
of  the  so-called  ^'pure"  Duchess  blood  in  America; 
and  as  the  English  landed  proprietors,  as  well  as 
prominent  Kentucky  breeders,  were  developing  a 
marked  preference  for  Duke  of  Oxford  bulls  he  now 
occupied  a  strong  speculative  position. 

Geneva  cattle  abroad. — In  the  fall  of  1867  Mr. 
Sheldon  exported  to  England  two  bulls  and  a  heifer 
of  the  Duchess  tribe,  and  six  Oxford  heifers.  They 
were  taken  to  the  Queen 's  farm,  Windsor  Park,  and 
sold  Oct.  15  of  that  year.  After  inspecting  the 
American  cattle  the  company  adjourned  for  business 
to  the  cafe  of  the  Castle  Hotel,  where  champagne 
flowed  freely,  and  for  the  first  time  in  a  long  pro- 
fessional career  Mr.  Strafford,  as  auctioneer,  sold 
cattle  by  candlelight.  The  white  7th  Duchess  of 
Geneva  was  knocked  off  to  Mr.  Leney  of  Kent  at  700 
guineas.  In  fact  Leney  was  the  chief  bidder,  and 
his  persistency  and  activity  added  great  zest  to  the 
proceedings.  8th  Lady  of  Oxford  and  6th  Maid  of 
Oxford  were  taken  respectively  by  Col.  Towneley  at 


368  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOKT-HORN   CATTLE 

450  and  400  guineas.  Leney  paid  300  guineas  for 
4tli  Maid  of  Oxford,  Col.  Kingscote  250  guineas  for 
Countess  of  Oxford  and  Mr.  Downing  200  guineas 
for  5tli  Maid  of  Oxford.  Leney  also  paid  260  guineas 
for  7tli  Maid  of  Oxford.  The  young  bull  12th  Duke 
of  Thorndale  was  very  much  out  of  condition  and 
was  bought  in  by  Edwin  Thorne  at  185  guineas,* 
but  the  roan  3d  Duke  of  Geneva  went  to  Mr.  Mcin- 
tosh at  550  guineas.  For  the  entire  lot  $16,475  was 
obtained,  an  average  of  $1,830.  The  six  Oxfords 
averaged  $1,550.  When  to  the  total  the  then  exist- 
ing premium  on  gold  was  added  Sheldon  had  nearly 
$20,000  in  American  currency,  less  the  expenses  of 
transportation.  In  commenting  upon  this  result  the 
London  Illustrated  News  said:  ^'People  differ  in 
opinion  as  to  whether  the  American  lots  would  have 
made  most  under  the  greenwood  or  around  the 
mahogany  tree ;  but  the  sale  was  unique  in  character 
and  served  to  stamp  1867  as  an  annus  mirahilis  in 
Short-horn  history.'^  In  fact  this  invasion  of  Eng- 
land by  Sheldon  created  something  of  a  sensation  on 
both  sides  the  water.f 

In  1869  Mr.  E.  H.  Cheney  of  Gaddesby  Hall  bought 
from  Mr.  Sheldon  the  two-year-old  heifer  11th 
Duchess  of  Geneva,  the  yearling  14th  Duchess  of 
Geneva  and  the  bull  calf  9th  Duke  of  Geneva  for 
the  lump  sum  of  $12,500 ;  and  at  the  same  time  the 


*12th  Duke  of  Thorndale  afterward  became  the  property  of  D.  R. 
Davies  of  Mere.  Old  Hall. 

tLondon  Punch  took  up  the  affair  and  dropped  into  verse  under  the 
caption,  "The  Golden  Short-horns." 


THE  BIKTH  OF  A  ''bOOM  ''  369 

roan  bull  calf  8tli  Duke  of  Geneva  was  exported  to 
Messrs.  Harward  &  Downing  at  $^1,000. 

Walcott  &  Campbell— While  Mr.  Sheldon  was 
thus  acquiring  international  position  in  the  Short- 
horn trade  Messrs.  Walcott  &  Campbell,  proprietors 
of  the  extensive  New  York  Mills  Sheeting  Factories, 
on  the  Mohawk  Elver,  some  two  miles  north  of  Utica, 
had  laid  the  foundation  of  the  herd  that  was  des- 
tined to  confound  the  agricultural  world.  The  Hon. 
S.  Campbell  of  this  firm  was  a  native  of  Ayrshire, 
Scotland,  who,  from  working  at  the  loom,  became 
superintendent  and  eventually  partner  in  the  great 
cotton  mills  mentioned.  In  acquiring  water  privil- 
eges for  the  mills  it  had  been  necessary  to  purchase 
some  1,400  acres  of  rich  bottom  land,  which  the  firm 
desired  to  put  to  some  profitable  use.  The  idea  of 
cattle-breeding  suggested  itself,  and  Mr.  Campbell's 
early  instincts  inclined  him  naturally  to  the  dairy 
breed  of  his  native  county.  He  first  turned  his  atten- 
tion, therefore,  to  Ayrshires,  in  partnership  with  Mr. 
James  Brodie,  a  Scotchman  who  had  also  imported, 
in  connection  with  a  Mr.  Hungerford,  a  few  Short- 
horns, among  which  were  two  cows  and  a  bull  from 
the  herd  of  J.  Mason  Hopper.  These  cattle  had  a 
double  cross  of  Belleville  (6778)  and  were  superior 
specimens.  Mr.  Campbell  bought  Hungerford 's  in- 
terest and  eventually  acquired  Brodie 's. 

Eichard  Gibson  was  employed  as  manager  of  the 
farm  and  cattle,  and  speaking  of  the  transaction  just 
mentioned  says : 


370  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

"By  this  deal  Mr.  Campbell  became  possessed  of  Short-horns, 
for  which  he  had  no  love  at  the  time,  and  I  doubt  if  he  ever  had. 
It  was  only  the  calves  that  he  cared  for.  Of  an  Ayrshire  he  was 
a  fair  judge,  and  as  they  were  a  paying  investment  in  supplying 
milk  to  the  operatives  they  were  looked  upon  with  a  great  deal 
more  favor  by  the  proprietor  than  were  their  swell  relatives  the 
Short-horns.  'Gibson,  what  good  are  they?  They  give  no  milk; 
just  one  mass  of  blubber;  you  can't  eat  them.'  This  idea  of  a  cow 
simply  raising  a  calf  was  preposterous,  just  as  among  the  opera- 
tives every  child  must  work,  and  usually  the  mother  as  well.  So 
it  is  easy  to  understand  that  in  this  community  of  busy  workers 
no  drones  were  allowed,  and  the  Short-horn  cow  at  rest  in  the 
rich  pastures  of  the  Mohawk  Valley,  negligently  chewing  her  cud, 
was  entirely  out  of  keeping  with  the  surroundings.  Why  should 
the  patrician  English  cattle  live  in  purple  and  fine  linen?  They 
weaved  not,  neither  did  they  spin! 

"The  remark  quoted  came  in  response  to  my  question  as  to 
what  bull  to  breed  the  Short-horn  cows  to.  I  was  led  to  make 
this  inquiry  on  seeing  the  men  take  out  the  Ayrshire  bull  to  the 
Short-horn  cow  imp.  Rosamond.  My  ire  arose.  No  more  such 
sacrilege  was. permitted,  but  it  w^as  some  months  before  I  could 
persuade  Mr.  Campbell  to  allow  me  to  buy  a  bull.  I  eventually 
secured  Weehawken,  bred  by  J.  0.  Sheldon.  Upon  this  bull 
hinged  the  destiny  of  the  breed  so  far  as  the  Mills  was  concerned. 
He  proved  a  most  impressive  sire,  and  as  his  progeny  developed 
his  value  became  more  established,  and  yearly  the  treasury  of  the 
New  York  State  Agricultural  Association  was  laid  under  con- 
tribution. After  returning  from  one  of  our  successful  trips  Mr. 
Campbell  put  the  situation  in  this  way:  'Now  I  find  your  things' 
(he  always  called  them  'Gibson's  things'  up  to  a  certain  time) 
'are  giving  us  notoriety.  We  must  either  get  rid  of  them  or  go 
in  deeper.  I  don't  ask  your  opinion;  I  know  what  that  will  be; 
but  this  I  ask,  can  we  take  as  high  a  position  with  Short-horns  as 
we  have  done  with  Ayrshires?  Remember,  I  will  play  second  to 
none.'  My  reply  was:  'You  can't  unless  you  can  persuade  Mr. 
Sheldon  to  sell  his  herd,  which  I  feel  sure  he  will  not  do.  But 
you  can  xio  this:  go  on  the  opposition  tack  and  buy  Booths  and 
beat  him  in  the  ring  wherever  he  shows.'  " 

Gibson*  was  quite  familiar  with  the  extraordinary 


*Mr  Gibson  was  born  in  England  in  1840,  almost  beneath  the  shadow 
of  Belvoir  Castle,  the  seat  of  the  Duke  of  Rutland.     Educated  at  the 


THE   BIRTH   OF   A  ^^BOOM  ''  371 

show-yard  career  of  Booth  Short-horns  in  England 
and  had  not  failed  to  notice  the  sensation  created  on 
this  side  the  water  by  Mr.  Cochrane 's  importation  of 
Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster  and  Eosedale.  He  accord- 
ingly had  a  long  conversation  with  Mr.  Campbell, 
explaining  that  there  were  then  practically  no  Booth 
Short-horns  in  America,  and  it  was  decided  that  Gib- 
son should  go  to  England  at  once  and  make  pur- 
chases of  cattle  of  that  blood.  This  was  in  1869; 
and  the  events  that  followed  may  best  be  understood 
by  a  brief  digression  at  this  point. 

First  Hillhurst  importations. — Hon.  M.  H.  Coch- 
rane of  Hillhurst  Farm,  Quebec,  Can.,  was  prominent 
among  those  enterprising  men  who  contributed 
largely  to  the  great  expansion  in  Short-horn  trade 
and  values  that  set  in  just  prior  to  1870.  It  was  in 
1867  that  he  began  his  memorable  series  of  importa- 

grammar  schools  of  Derby  and  Lincoln  he  entered  a  grain  merchant's 
office  for  a  period  of  two  years,  after  which  he  studied  closely  for  fovir 
years  the  farming-  methods  of  his  father,  who  had  gained  various  prizes 
for  the  best  cultivated  farm  in  Derbyshire.  Speaking  of  his  early  life 
Mr.  Gibson  says  :  "My  father  always  kept  a  pure-bred  bull.  The  first 
I  remember  was  a  son  of  Earl  of  Dublin,  the  white  Princess  bull  used 
by  Sir  C.  Knightley  ;  and  the  first  noted  bull  I  recollect  was  the  same 
Earl  of  Dublin.  The  farm  reeked  of  Short-horns,  as  it  was  occupied  by 
Mr.  Smith,  a  purchaser  at  CoUings'  sale,  and  a  member  of  the  Dishley 
Club.  The  old  men  talked  of  Lancaster  and  Comet,  and  the  yarns  when 
shearing  sheep,  etc.,  fell  on  ears  whose  sensitive  organism  was  receptive 
to  the  quaint  language  and  enthusiasm  of  the  illiterate  but  observant 
herdsman."  One  of  the  family  of  fourteen  children  and  the  eldest  of 
eight  sons  he  determined  upon  arriving  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  to  seek 
his  fortune  in  America.  He  landed  at  Quebec  in  1861  and  for  two  years 
following  worked  at  farming  in  Ontario,  after  which  he  received  an  ap- 
pointment as  manager  for  Mr.  Delamater,  a  shipbuilder  of  New  York, 
who  owned  a  1,500-acre  farm  on  Long  Island.  After  two  years'  service 
in  this  capacity  he  was  employed  by  Mr.  Campbell  to  manage  the  farms 
at  New  York  Mills.  He  retained  this  responsible  position  until  about  one 
year  prior  to  the  great  closing-out  sale  of  the  herd,  subsequently  engag- 
ing in  Canada  in  the  importing  and  exporting  trade  on  his  own  account, 
and  afterward  purchasing  his  present  farm  of  Belvoir,  where,  after  a 
remarkable  experience  in  connection  with  the  international  trade  in  pedi- 
greed live  stock,  he  still  resides. 

In  the  course  of  his  eventful  career  Mr.  Gibson  has  crossed  the  Atlan- 
tic more  than  thirty  times,  usually  on  business  relating  to  the  live-stock 


372  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

tions.  The  initial  sliipment,  selected  by  the  late 
Simon  Beattie,  consisted  of  two  of  the  greatest  show- 
yard  celebrities  known  to  American  Short-horn  his- 
tory, to-wit :  Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster,  already  re- 
ferred to,  and  the  wonderful  Booth  cow  Rosedale, 
bred  by  Lady  Pigot.  Along  with  Rosedale  came  her 
bull  calf  Capt.  Aiton  6512.  Baron  Booth  went  into 
the  West  to  win  imperishable  renown  in  the  herd  of 
Mr.  Pickrell,  and  Rosedale  soon  afterward  followed; 
being  purchased  by  Col.  William  S.  King  of  Minne- 
apolis, in  whose  hands  she  proved  the  sensation  of 
her  time. 

In  1868  Mr.  Cochrane  imported  eleven  head,  four 
of  which  were  of  Bates  breeding  and  the  remainder 
of  Booth  blood  from  the  herds  of  William  Torr  and 
R.  S.  Bruere.  He  resolved  to  be  '  4n  "  on  the  Duchess 
proposition  as  well  as  the  trade  in  show  stock  of 
Booth  derivation,  and  bought  from  Col.  Gunter  of 
Wetherby  Grange,  Yorkshire,  the  yearling  heifer 


trade,  and  has  enjoyed  the  acquaintance  of  a  majority  of  the  most  promi- 
nent Short-horn  breeders  of  his  time.  He  has  been  a  frequent  contribu- 
tor to  the  agricultural  press  and  has  served  as  an  expert  judge  of  many 
different  varieties  of  live  stock  at  the  leading  shows  of  North  America, 
besides  being  President  of  the  Dominion  Short-horn  Breeders'  Associa- 
tion and  of  the  Dominion  Kennel  Club.  Like  Jorrocks  of  old  he  is  a 
thorough  believer  in  the  efficacy  of  "a  bit  o'  blood,  whether  it  be  in  a 
'orse,  a  'ound"  or  any  other  of  the  many  four-footed,  or  feathered  pets 
by  which  Anglo-Saxons  of  rural  tastes  love  to  surround  themselves.  One 
of  the  most  companionable  of  men,  fond  of  a  good  dinner  and  a  good 
story,  an  admirable  raconteur  himself,  he  is  never  so  happy  as  when 
living  again  in  retrospect  the  stirring  scenes  of  which  he  has  been  a 
witness,  and  his  wealth  of  cattle  lore  is  ever  at  the  service  of  those  who 
share  his  interest  in  the  great  achievements  of  the  rare  old  worthies  of 
the  past. 

Mr.  Gibson  belongs  to  a  remarkable  family.  His  brother  John  T.  was 
manager  for  Col.  William.  S.  King  when  Lyndale  was  in  its  prime,  and 
was  subsequently  manager  for  J.  J.  Hill  of  North  Oaks.  Another 
brother,  William,  was  manager  of  the  Niagara  Herd  of  Mr.  Bronson  C. 
Rumsey  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  Still  another  brother,  Arthur,  is  rfianager  for 
Mr.  Philo  L.  Mills  of  Ruddington  Hall,  Nottingham,  Eng.,  and  a  fifth 
brother,  Charles,  is  his  assistant.  A  sixth  member  of  the  family,  Edwin, 
is  in  Australia,  and  Fred  is  in  India, 


THE   BIRTH   OF   A   '*BOOM   ''  373 

Duchess  97th  for  $5,000*— the  highest  price  up  to 
that  date  ever  paid  for  a  cow  or  heifer  of  any  breed ; 
and  from  C.  W.  Harvey  of  Walton-on-the-Hill,  Liv- 
erpool, the  young  Bates  cow  Wild  Eyes  26th  and  her 
bull  calf.    Meantime  he  had  secured  from  Sheldon 
the   11th   Duke   of   Thomdale.     This    shipment   is 
notable  not  only  for  the  purchase  of  the  Duchess 
heifer  at  a  startling  price  but  as  having  included  the 
roan  bulls  Robert  Napier  8975  and  Star  of  the  Realm 
11021;  the  former  bred  by  Mr.  Torr,  descending  from 
Booth's  Anna,  and  the  latter  bred  by  Mr.  Bruere 
from  his  Vesper  tribe.    AVe  have  already  alluded  to 
the  great  impression  made  by  Baron  Booth  of  Lan- 
caster upon  the  breeders  of  the  Central  West,  and 
quick  appreciation  of  the  value  of  these  Booth  bulls 
was  shown  in  another  quarter.     William  Warfield 
became  the  owner  of  Robert  Napierf  and  A.  J.  Alex- 
ander, who  had  succeeded  to  the  ownership  of  Wood- 
burn  upon  the  death  of  his  brother,  R.  A.  Alexan- 
der—which occurred  Dec.  1,  1867— took  Star  of  the 
Realm. 

In  1869  Mr.  Cochrane  made  two  importations,  one 
in  June  and  one  in  August.    These  were  practically 

fo^o'^^^Tf  T^®  *^^  ^^^^  Duchess  female  Gunter  had  parted  with  up  to 
1868.  He  had  refused  in  1865  an  offer  from  Mr.  Betts  of  1,000  guineas 
for  Duchess  84th  and  her  heifer  calf  Duchess  9 2d. 

tMr.  Warfield  says :  "Robert  Napier  was  a  large  bull  of  great  scale 
and  weight,  but  not  what  I  would  call  a  very  fine  bull,  neither  was  he  a 
uniform  breeder.  His  calves— Bertha  (Vol.  XV,  page  447).  Loudon 
PcTJI^^  X  ^^^  ^^°^-  ^^'  P^^^  ^^^>'  3^  Gem  of  Grasmere  (Vol.  XXI.  page 
llllh  w^'i'"''  ^^^^  12th  23847  and  Bridesmaid  (Vol.  XXII.  page 
ll-J  '~^  ^^^  f^  fine  animals  as  I  ever  bred.  He  received  an  injury  on 
being  shipped  to  the  fairs  on  the  railroad,  which  I  believe  was  perma" 
^I^aV  ^if  ^^'^  \'J^  ^"^  a  neighbor  and  I  think  he  finallv  fell  into  the  hands 
bv  Mr  WnTfi.M^^'^^H^'  ^^"-^r  Another  fine  daughter  of  this  bull  S?ed 
by  Mr.  Warfield,  was  Lucy  Napier,  bought  and  shown  by  J.  H.  Pickrell. 


374  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

all  Booth-crossed  stock,  from  the  herds  of  such  suc- 
cessful adherents  of  the  house  of  Booth  in  Great 
Britain  as  Messrs.  R.  Chaloner  of  King's  Fort,  Ire- 
land; T.  E.  Pawlett  of  Beeston,  T.  Barnes  of  West- 
land,  Ireland;  Torr  of  Aylesby  and  Hugh  Aylmer  of 
West  Dereham  Abbey,  Norfolk.  One  of  the  bulls, 
the  roan  Torr-bred  Gen.  Napier  8199,  was  bought  by 
Col.  William  S.  King,  the  owner  of  Eosedale,  who 
was  easily  the  most  daring  operator  of  his  day  in  the 
Western  States. 

The  time  seemed  ripe,  therefore,  for  New  York 
Mills  to  follow  Gibson's  advice  and  go  gunning  for 
Sheldon  with  Booth  weapons. 

Gibson  buys  Booths  for  New  York  Mills.— T.  C. 
Booth  of  Warlaby  was  now  at  the  climax  of  his  show- 
yard  renown.  Commander-in-Chief  (21415)  and  the 
marvelous  Lady  Fragrant  had  been  champions  of 
the  breed  at  the  Leicester  Royal  of  1868.*  While  the 
Bates  men  had  forced  prices  for  their  favorites  to 
a  high  point  Warlaby  also  had  a  powerful  following 
throughout  the  United  Kingdom,  and  nothing  but 
very  tempting  offers  would  induce  Mr.  Booth  to  part 
with  any  of  his  best  cattle  to  come  to  America.  Mr. 
Gibson  had  not  gone  so  far,  however,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  purchasing  inferior  specimens,  and  at  the 
handsome  figure  of  $5,000  secured  the  great  roan 
heifer  Bride  of  the  Vale,  sired  by  Lord  of  the  Valley 
(14837)  out  of  the  famous  Soldier's  Bride.    He  also 

mie  last  appearance  of  the  Booths  at  the  English  Royal  ^'as  at 
Manchester  in  1869  upon  which  occasion  Lady  Fragrant  was  cham- 
pion female  and  Earl  of  Derby  (21638).  bred  and  shown  by  Wiley  of 
Brandsby,  was  champion  bull. 


THE   BIETH   OF   A       BOOM  375 

bought  the  roan  bull  calf  Eoyal  Briton  (27351),  bred 
at  Warlaby  from  Lord  Blithe  (22126),  tracing 
through  Crown  Prince  to  Bride  Elect.  From  the 
same  noted  nursery  of  show-yard  champions  came 
the  roan  heifer  Merry  Peal,  by  Commander-in-Chief, 
and  the  white  heifer  White  Rose,  by  Mountain  Chief. 
From  R.  Chaloner,  King's  Fort,  Ireland,  he  bought 
the  white  heifer  Fair  Maid  of  Hope  and  her  bull  calf 
King  of  the  Ocean.  Four  other  heifers  were  also 
selected,  included  among  them  being  the  white 
Knightley  heifer  Lady  Oxford.  Hillhurst  had 
already  set  the  pace.  The  price  paid  for  Bride  of 
the  Vale  ($5,000)  was  fixed  by  the  fact  that  Gunter 
had  just  obtained  that  unprecedented  figure  from 
Mr.  Cochrane  for  a  Duchess  heifer.  The  Booths  were 
quite  as  proud  of  their  reputation  and  prestige  as 
were  the  followers  of  the  fortunes  of  Thomas  Bates, 
and  Warlaby  females  were  quite  as  difficult  to  obtain 
as  w^ere  specimens  of  the  Duchess  tribe.  It  had  been 
•Mr.  Booth's  settled  policy  not  to  sell  females  to  con- 
temporary British  breeders  to  be  retained  in  Eng- 
land. He  had  permitted  Mr.  Bolden  to  send  out  a 
shipment  to  Australia,  and  w^e  believe  that  a 
Christon  heifer  had  been  sold  to  Mr.  B.  St.  John 
Ackers  of  Prinknash  Park,  who  was  a  distant  rela- 
tive. At  that  time,  however,  this  tribe  had  not  been 
admitted  into  full  fellowship  with  the  time-honored 
Booth  Short-horn  strains.  Aside  from  these  trans- 
actions Bride  of  the  Vale  and  Merry  Peal  were,  we 
believe,  the  only  heifers  Mr.  Booth  had  parted  with 


376  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

for  breeding  purposes,  and  tHey  were  only  sold  with 
the  understanding  that  they  were  to  be  taken  to 
America. 

In  1870  ten  head  were  imported,  including  the 
Christon  heifers  Patricia  and  Minaret.  In  this  lot 
were  two  heifers  from  Torr's  Waterloo  tribe  and  the 
roan  Baron  Oxford  ^s  Beauty  from  Col.  Towneley's. 
This  shipment  experienced  cold  weather  at  sea,  but 
the  day  the  cattle  landed  in  New  York  harbor  the 
thermometer  registered  105  deg.  in  the  shade.  Poor 
Patricia,  for  which  $5,000  had  been  paid,  succumbed 
to  the  heat  on  shipboard  before  the  cattle  could  be 
landed.  Had  the  rest  not  been  carefully  handled 
after  unloading  other  losses  would  doubtless  have 
occurred.  Gibson  had  them  hauled  from  the  dock  to 
the  railway  freight-yard  in  canopy-covered  "  lor- 
ries, ^^  with  a  big  sponge  tied  on  top  of  the  head  of 
each  animal  and  a  boy  alongside  of  each  cow  to 
apply  cold  water.  In  this  way  they  were  safely 
started  for  the  farm. 

The  Mills  now  had  indeed  the  nucleus  of  a  herd 
which  might  well  set  Bates  men  thinking.  Cochrane 
and  Simon  Beattie  in  Canada  were  at  this  time  at- 
tracting the  attention  of  the  trade  on  both  sides  of 
the  water  by  their  extensive  importations  of  Booth- 
crossed  stock,  and  it  really  began  to  look  as  if  that 
type  might  at  last  become  a  formidable  rival  of  the 
Bates  tribes  in  the  New  World. 

Sensational  transfer  of  the  Sheldon  herd. — Shel- 
don was  nothing  if  not  shrewd,  and  soon  scented 


377 

danger  in  the  Booth  propaganda  with  such  backers 
in  the  East  as  Walcott  &  Campbell,  Simon  Beattie 
and  M.  H.  Cochrane,  and  such  sympathizers  in  the 
West  as  the  influential  breeders  already  mentioned. 
He  resolved,  therefore,  to  make  terms  with  the 
New  York  management,  and  offered  to  sell  Mr. 
Campbell  one-half  of  the  Geneva  herd.  This  was 
in  1869.  Mr.  Gibson  advised  that  the  purchase 
be  made.  Mr.  Campbell  replied:  "But  you  don't 
know  the  price.'*  The  imperturbable  Gibson  re- 
joined: "Never  mind  that.  Buy.'^  The  price 
was  a  big  one,  and  the  herd  was  to  be  divided 
by  a  process  of  alternate  selection.  Sheldon  secured 
first  choice  in  the  "toss  up"  and  picked  12th 
Duchess  of  Geneva.  The  selection  proceeded  until 
Mr.  Sheldon  had,  in  addition  to  the  12th,  the  4th 
Duchess  of  Geneva  and  the  10th,  12th  and  13th 
Duchesses  of  Thorndale.  Walcott  &  Campbell  got 
the  6th,  8th  and  13th  Duchesses  of  Geneva  and  the 
3d  and  9th  Duchesses  of  Thorndale.  Of  the  Oxfords 
Sheldon  secured  6th  Lady,  3d  Maid,  2d  Countess  and 
Gem  of  Oxford.  Gibson  took  the  7th  and  10th  Ladys 
and  2d  Maid.  The  entire  lot  was  gone  over  in  the 
same  fashion,  and  the  4th  Duke  of  Geneva,  then  at 
the  head  of  the  herd,  was  retained  in  common.  Fur- 
thermore, it  was  agreed  that  no  Oxford  or  Duchess 
female  was  to  be  sold  by  either  party  until  the  other 
had  the  first  option.  The  Duchesses  had  cost  Wal- 
cott &  Campbell  an  average  of  $5,500  each  and  the 
Oxfords  $2,800  each. 


378  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

Immediately  after  this  division  of  the  herd  Shel- 
don began  stocking  up  again  and  within  a  year  his 
stables  were  found  full  to  overflowing.  He,  of. 
course,  looked  to  Walcott  &  Campbell  to  buy  the 
entire  outfit.  He  was  playing  the  Duchess  game  for 
all  there  was  in  it.  The  New  York  Mills  people  de- 
clined to  be  baited,  however,  in  any  such  wholesale 
manner.  They  were  perfectly  willing  to  take  the 
Duchesses  and  Oxfords,  but  this  did  not  suit  Shel- 
don. The  facts  as  to  the  deal  which  finally  resulted 
in  their  transfer  to  Walcott  &  Campbell  in  1870  are 
set  forth  by  Mr.  Gibson  in  the  following  language : 

"Sheldon  had  not  filled  ?  's  barn  for  naught.  A  deadlock  en- 
sued. James  Wadsworth  -w^  .  nibbling,  Col.  King  of  Minnesota 
was  after  them  and  so  was  Cochrane  of  Canada.  A  sale  cata- 
logue was  then  circulated  and  date  arranged.  Walcott  &  Camp- 
bell's hands  were  forced  and  they  were  obliged  to  buy  in  self-de- 
fense. The  lot  was  taken,  fifty  females  and  fourteen  bulls,  at  a 
round  $100,000,  with  interest  at  6  per  cent  until  paid.  Now  Mr. 
Campbell,  though  born  an  alien,  had  confidence  in  the  Govern- 
ment's pledges  to  pay.  Mr.  Sheldon  was  a  Democrat  and  guessed 
otherwise.  Gold  was  about  160  and  the  agreement  was  that  when 
the  settlement  was  made  it  was  to  be  on  the  basis  of  gold  as 
quoted  on  the  day  of  sale.  Result:  $60,000  paid  the  original  debt 
of  $100,000.  Mr.  Campbell  could  have  paid  at  time  of  purchase 
just  as  well  as  not,  but  preferred  waiting  under  the  circum- 
stances and  therein  got  a  chance  to  'even  up'  with  Mr.  Sheldon." 

**Duke"  bulls  in  demand. — Thorne  and  Sheldon's 
European  trade  had  served  as  a  great  advertisement 
for  the  Thorndale  and  Geneva  stock.  The  Kentuck- 
ians,  naturally  predisposed  to  favor  the  Duchess 
proposition  by  reason  of  their  satisfactory  experi- 
ence with  the  kindred  Woodburn  blood,  contributed 
to  the  upbuilding  of  the  ''boom.''    Edwin  Bedford 


THE  BIRTH  OF  A  ^^BOOM  ''  379 

had  bought  2d  Duke  of  Geneva  5562,  and  during  his 
brief  career  that  bull  made  a  distinct  ''hit,"  as 
stated  on  page  290.  Mr.  Bedford  then  got  the  5th 
Duke  at  $3,000.  Col.  King  of  Minnesota  secured  the 
6th  at  the  same  price.  In  1869  Mr.  Alexander  took 
the  10th  Duke  of  Thorndale  (28458)  from  Sheldon  at 
$5,500.  A.  W.  Griswold  of  Vermont  had  given 
$3,000  for  the  14th  Duke  of  Thorndale  (28459)  as  a 
calf,  and  in  1869  George  M.  Bedford  purchased  him 
at  $6,000.  The  8th  and  9th  Dukes  of  Geneva  had 
gone  at  $4,000  each,  and  Cochrane  had  the  11th. 

The  Bates  tribes  were  now  (1870)  firmly  held  by 
powerful  interests  on  both  sides  the  Atlantic.  Wal- 
cott  &  Campbell,  after  their  preliminary  flirtation 
with  the  Booths,  had  gone  into  the  Duchess  specula- 
tion,* and  this  gave  the  Kirklevington  sorts  a  pres- 
tige that  needed  only  the  great  sale  at  New  York 
Mills  to  fairly  stampede  America  to  the  Bates  colors. 
Meantime  the  West  was  aroused  to  action  by  the 
announcement  of  a  dispersion  sale  of  the  entire 
herd  of  Mr.  McMillan  of  Ohio,  and  as  this  was  the 
opening  gun  in  a  most  extraordinary  era  of  auction 
sales  in  America  the  event  will  be  noted  in  detail. 

The  McMillan  sale. — Mr.  Daniel  McMillan  of  Oak- 
land Farm,  Xenia,  0.,  had  for  many  years  been 
breeding  Short-horns  descended  from  the  Ohio  and 
Kentucky  importations.  He  had  been  a  frequent 
exhibitor  at  the  leading  fairs  of  the  West,  and  the 


♦The  New  York  Mills  Booth  cattle  were  afterward  sold  to  Mr.  Coch- 
rane, who  sent  some  of  them  back  to  England. 


380  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

herd  was  one  of  the  best  known  in  the  United  States. 
Indeed  Mr.  McMillan  was  the  first  breeder  north  of 
the  Ohio  River  to  cross  swords  with  the  Kentuck- 
ians  in  their  own  show-yards.  This  event  occurred 
in  1869.  The  herd  was  at  that  time  headed  by  Plan- 
tagenet  6031,  but  Mr.  Warfield's  Muscatoon  de- 
feated this  bull  in  the  class  showing.  In  the  herd 
competition,  however,  the  McMillan  cattle  pre- 
vailed.* The  great  prices  that  were  now  current  in 
England  and  the  East  stimulated  the  rapidly-rising 
interest  in  Short-horns  throughout  the  entire  Union, 
and  it  was  indeed  an  historic  gathering  that  assem- 
bled at  .Oakland  on  the  morning  of  the  8th  of  June, 
1870.  Practically  all  of  the  leading  breeders  and 
exhibitors,  not  only  of  the  East  but  of  the  West,  were 
present.  The  cattle  were  tied  in  line  along  a  fence 
for  examination,  and  here  for  the  first  time  the 
Short-horn  breeding  fraternity  of  America  may  be 
said  to  have  actually  assembled,  all  former  auctions 
having  been  more  or  less  local  in  their  character. 


♦The  best  of  the  McMillan  show  herds  had  been  fitted  by  James 
Lyall,  a  Scotchman,  who  had  come  to  America  in  1856  as  an  assistant 
in  connection  with  the  ill-fated  shipment  of  Short-horns  made  that  year 
via  New  Orleans  by  Alex.  Barrett  of  Henderson,  Ky.  The  ship  experi- 
enced a  tempestuous  passage,  being  nearly  six  weeks  at  sea,  and  all  of 
the  Short-horns  but  two  were  lest,  included  among  those  that  perished 
being  the  famous  Douglas  show  cow  Queen  of  Trumps,  by  Belleville 
(6778),  for  which  500  guineas  had  been  paid. 

Lyall's  father  was  at  this  time  herdsman  in  the  old  country  for  Doug- 
las of  Athelstaneford,  so  that  the  yovmg  man  had  been  reared  to  the 
cattle  business.  He  remained  with  Barrett  four  years,  going  to  Mc^NIil- 
lan  in  1863.  The  show  bull  Gen.  Grant  was  then  a  yearling.  Mr.  Lyall 
fitted  the  show  herds  for  their  most  successful  campaigns,  as  well  as 
for  this  closing-out  sale,  after  which  he  was  identified  with  the  noted 
herds  of  George  Murray  of  Racine,  Col.  William  S.  King  and  others. 

Unfortunately  the  show  bull  Plantagenet  and  the  great  cow  Louan 
13th  had  been  lost  shortly  before  the  sale.  Plantagenet  was  a  very 
massive  bull  of  imposing  presence,  a  bull  of  more  substance  than  Gen. 
Grant,  although  a  bit  rough  at  the  tail-head,  and  not  so  good  in  his 
quarters. 


381 

The  sale  was  held  in  a  grove  and  no  seats  were  pro- 
vided for  the  company.  This  did  not  detract,  how- 
ever, from  the  complete  success  of  the  occasion,  as 
the  bidding  was  active  and  spirited  from  start  to 
finish. 

Following  is  the  list  of  females  sold  for  $500  or 
over: 

Mignonette,*  red  show  cow;  sired  by  Gen.  Grant  out  of  his 

own  dam,  Jessie— C.  C.  &  R.  H.  Parks,  Waukegan,  111.  .$3,800 

4th   Louan    of   Oakland,   yearling   heifer;    by   2d    Duke   of 

Geneva  5562— J.  C.  Jenkins,  Petersburg,  Ky 3,650 

Louan  21st,t  eight-year-old  show  cow,  bred  by  Jere  Duncan; 
sired  by  Duke  of  Airdrie  2743 — Geo.  Murray,  Racine, 
Wis 3,600 

Wenona,  red  show  cow,  tracing  to  imp.  Louisa;   sired  by 

Gen.  Grant— W.  J.  Neely,  Ottawa,  111 3,000 

Forest    Queen,    red    two-year-old;    by   Plantagenet — George 

Murray  2,800 

Louan  35th,  red  show  cow;  by  Duke  of  Airdrie  2743 — E.  G. 

Bedford,  Kentucky  2,625 

Highland  Lady,  roan  cow,  bred  by  J.  M.  Hill,  Illinois;  sired 
by  imp.  King  Alfred  (3053),  dam  White  Lady,  bought 
by  Mr.  McMillan  at  the  Hill  sale  already  mentioned — 
J.  H.  Spears,  Tallula,  111 2,075 

6th  Louan  of  Oakland,^  red  show  heifer;  by  Plantagenet — 

George  Murray    2,000 


♦Mignonette,  it  will  be  observed,  was  incestuously  bred.  She  was  a 
very  fine  show  heifer  as  a  yearling  and  two-year  old,  but  grew  too 
"lumpy"  for  the  show-yard  and  did  no  good  as  a  breeder.  She  was  sold 
by  Messrs.  Parks  immediately  after  the  sale  to  George  Murray  at  $4,000. 

tLouan  21st  was  the  best  of  her  family  in  the  herd  at  this  time,  al- 
though in  the  opinion  of  Herdsman  Lyall  not  so  good  a  cow  as  old  Jessie, 
the  dam  of  Gen.  Grant.  He  describes  Jessie  as  a  red  of  great  scale,  with 
good  head,  excellent  quarters  and  fine  quality,  altogether  the  best  cow 
that  Mr.  McMillan  had  ever  owned,  although  inclined  to  be  up  on  legs, 

JLyall,  who  had  been  consulted  by  Mr.  Murray  as  to  what  to  buy,  and 
who  afterward  entered  the  employ  of  Mr.  Murray,  tried  to  induce  him  to 
take  the  4th  Louan  instead  of  the  6th,  as  the  former  was  a  good  one  and 
Louan  6th  was  slack  in  her  loin  and  never  could  make  a  cow.  This  ad- 
vice, however,  was  not  followed.  It  had  been  generally  believed  that  Mr. 
Murray  really  bought  what  stock  he  wanted  privately,  before  the  sale, 
and  had  it  passed  through  the  ring. 


382  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOEN   CATTLE 

Louan  23d,  roan  show  cow;    by  Lord  Derby— A.  J.  Dunlap, 

Galesburg,   111    $1,750 

Louan  39th,  red  cow;  by  Duke  of  Airdrie  2743— T.  J.  Megib- 

ben,  Cynthiana,  Ky 1,650 

Linda  Belle   2d,   red   show^   heifer;    by    Plantagenet — J.   H. 

Spears    1,525 

6th   Duchess  of  Oakland,   red-and- white  three-year-old;    by 

Plantagenet — George  Gregg,  Beechville,   Can 1,500 

7th  Duchess  of  Oakland,  red  two-year-old;    by  Plantagenet 

— James  Fullington,  Union  Co.,  0 1,400 

Flora  Belle  3d,  roan  yearling — J.  H.  Spears 1,325 

Magenta,  red  heifer  calf;  by  Plantagenet,  dam  Clinton  Lady 

—J.  H.  Spears  1,105 

Oxford  Duchess,  red  cow — W.  M.  Baines,  Metamora,  Ind...   1,075 
P'annie  Hunt,  red  three-year-old;    dam  Anna  Hunt,  of  Mr. 

Warfield's  breeding — A.  J.  Dunlap 1,025 

Myrtle,  roan  twelve-year-old  cow;  by  imp.  Starlight  (12146) 

— James  Fullington    1,005 

Anna  Clark,  red-and-white  cow,  bred  by  C.  M.  Clark — Mil- 
ton Briggs,  Newton,  la 950 

Eudora   2d,   red   heifer;    by   Plantagenet — B.    H.    Campbell, 

Batavia,   111 910 

Clinton  Lady,  red  nine-year-old  cow — Jesse  Hagler,  Fayette 

Co.,    0 850 

Louan  of  Oakland,  red  cow — Milton  Briggs 800 

Louan  12th,  red  eleven-year-old  cow — R.  G.  Dun,  London,  O.      800 
Rosa  Bonheur,  red-roan  three-year-old — James  Fullington..      750 

Emma  2d,  red  cow— B.  H.  Campbell 730 

Anna  Eggleston,  red  cow — Thomas  Kirk,  Fayette  Co.,  0.  .  . .      730 

lOth  Belle  Republic,  red  cow — Milton  Briggs 700 

141st  Belle  Republic,  red  cow — Milton  Briggs 700 

3d  Louan  of  Oakland,  roan  two-year-old — J.  W.  Armstrong, 

Deer  Park,  111 600 

Honey  Bud,  roan  two-year-old — B.  H.  Campbell 600 

Oxford    Queen,    heifer    calf;    by    Plantagenet — J.    W.    Arm- 
strong        560 

Vain  Lady,  red  tw^o-year-old ;  by  Gen.  Grant — B.  H.  Camp- 
bell          525 

Minna  Watson,  roan  heifer  calf— H.  B.  Sherman,  Toledo,  0.      525 
May  Day,  red-and-white  cow — B.  H.  Campbell 525 


THE   BIRTH   OF   A   ''bOOM  '^  383 

Bride  of  Greenwood,  red-and-white,  bred  by  David  Selsor — 

George  Gregg,   Canada    $  525 

Emma   Palmer,    red-and-white    cow,    twelve   years    old;    by 

imp.  Warrior  (12287)— Thomas  Kirk,  Fayette  Co.,  O..  500 

Eudora,  roan  cow — Charles  Hook,  Xenia,  0 500 

Oneota,  cow;  by  Cuke  of  Airdrie  2743 — Jesse  Hagler 500 

4th  Belle  Republic,  roan  cow — Milton  Briggs 500 

Of  the  bulls  Royal  Oakland,  a  red  two-year-old 
by  Plantagenet  out  of  Mignonette,  brought  the 
highest  price,  $1,300,  from  James  Fullington.  This 
bull  had  been  winner  of  first  prize  at  the  Ohio  State 
Fair  of  1868,  and  stood  at  the  head  of  the  breeders' 
herd  at  the  same  show  in  1869.  He  was  resold  the 
next  day  for  $2,000.  The  rest  of  the  bulls  ranged  in 
price  from  $75  for  old  Oxford  Lad  up  to  $825  for 
Royal  Lad — a  yearling  by  Plantagenet.  The  entire 
herd  brought  $63,980,  an  average  of  $864.60.  Twen- 
ty-four head  went  to  Illinois  at  $23,625,  twenty-five 
head  to  Ohio  at  $13,265,  six  head  to  Iowa  at  $4,350, 
six  head  to  Kentucky  at  $11,090  and  three  to  Wis- 
consin at  $8,400. 

Col.  William  S.  King. — One  of  the  most  interested 
spectators  at  the  McMillan  sale  was  Col.  AVilliam  S. 
King  of  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  who  was  one  of  the  first 
to  introduce  Short-horns  into  the  Northwest  and 
whose  lavish  investments  in  show  and  breeding  stock 
contributed  so  largely  to  the  development  of  a  taste 
for  Short-horn  breeding  in  the  Western  States.  The 
controlling  motive  in  the  establishment  of  his  Lyn- 
dale  Herd  was  the  improvement  of  the  cattle  stocks 
of  the  Northwest.  Short-horns  were  but  little  known 
in  Minnesota  even  while  Brown,  Pickrell,  Duncan, 


384  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

McMillan,  Spears  and  their  contemporaries  were 
fighting  their  earlier  show-yard  battles  in  Illinois. 
Col.  King  was  himself  without  special  knowledge  of 
them  at  that  time,  and  indeed  began  his  work  by  an 
unavailing  effort  to  introduce  Ayrshires  among  the 
farmers  of  the  Northwest.  Reared  in  the  stock- 
growing  and  dairy  region  of  Northern  Central  New 
York  his  thoughts  naturally  reverted  first  to  the 
herds  of  the  Empire  State,  and  he  has  given  us  an 
amusing  account  of  how  his  attention  became  first 
diverted  from  the  Ayrshires  to  the  Short-horns  and 
as  to  how  his  first  purchase  w^as  received  upon  ar- 
rival at  St.  Paul  in  1867.  In  the  autumn  of  that 
year  he  visited  the  J.  0.  Sheldon  herd  at  Geneva, 
N.  Y.,  and  was  captivated  by  it.  One  of  the  Duch- 
esses had  just  dropped  a  bull  calf — the  5th  Duke  of 
Geneva — which  he  contracted  for  at  $3,000;  but  be- 
fore the  youngster  was  shipped  Sheldon  arranged 
for  an  exchange  of  the  5th  Duke  to  Edwin  G.  Bed- 
ford of  Kentucky  for  the  6th  Duke  of  Geneva.*    In 


*"I  took  occasion  on  one  of  my  frequent  trips  east  to  visit  the  New 
York  Mills  Herd  of  Ayrshires,  which  was  then  reputed  to  be  the  finest  of 
the  kind  in  the  United  States.  It  was  on  that  occasion  that  I  first  met 
both  Mr.  Campbell  and  Richard  Gibson  and  formed  acquaintance  with 
the  latter  which  led  to  many  later  business  transactions  between  us  and 
friendship  which  still  exists  and  has  been  to  me  a  source  of  much  pleas- 
ure. But  to  my  story.  Telling  Mr.  Campbell  the  purpose  of  my  visit  the 
old  gentleman  left  his  business  office  and  walked  with  me  to  the  barn, 
where,  calling  for  Gibson,  he  ordered  out  for  review  his  Scottish  pets, 
which  Gibson  began  to  assemble  from  the  various  small  lots  adjoining 
the  barns  and  yards.  While  standing  on  the  platform  of  the  barn  look- 
ing at  the  Ayrshires  there  was  a  great  crash  near  by,  and  looking  in  that 
direction  I  saw  a  young  Short-horn  bull  about  eighteen  months  old  which 
had  dashed  through  a  partly  opened  gate  to  an  adjoining  yard  and  with 
head  and  tail  erect  stood  before  us  a  living  picture  of  animal  beauty. 
'What's  that?'  said  I  to  Mr.  Campbell.  'Oh,  that's  one  of  Gibson's 
things,  a  Short-horn,  but  I  don't  think  much  of  them,'  was  the  reply. 
But  a  friend  who  had  accompanied  me  to  inspect  the  herd  turned  to 
me  and  said  :  'Colonel,  that's  the  kind  of  stock  you  want  for  the  West. 
Your  Western  people  will  never  be  satisfied  with  these  Ayrshire  cattle.' 
Mr.  Campbell  was  evidently  nettled  at  this  remark  and  replied :     'Then 


385 

1869  Col.  King  added  by  purchase  from  the  Sheldon 
herd  a  Bloom,  two  Gwynnes,  a  Mazurka,  and  several 
other  females,  including  Constance  6th,  which  latter 
proved  to  be  the  most  profitable  cow  ever  owned  at 
Lyndale.  Such  was  the  foundation.  These  Sheldon 
cattle  were  shown  at  the  Minnesota  State  Fair  of 


the  people  of  the  West  don't  know  what  is  best  for  them.'  Truth  com- 
pels me  to  say  that  I  was  a  little  nettled  myself.  It  was  Ayrshires  that 
I  'went  out  to  see'  ;  Ayrshires  that  I  had  fully  decided  were  to  be  my 
instruments  in  the  work  of  stock  and  dairy  reform  in  Minnesota,  and 
the  result  was  that  before  leaving  the  barn  I  had  picked  out  a  small 
number  of  young-  Ayrshire  heifers  and  a  yearling  bull  and  arranged 
for  their  shipment.  Before  I  left,  however,  Gibson  found  an  opportunity 
to  whisper  in  my  ear :  'You  will  make  no  mistake  if  you  take  the 
advice  of  your  friend  and  take  along  a  few  Short-horns.'  So  just  as  we 
were  about  leaving  I  turned  to  Mr.  Campbell  and  asked :  'What  will 
you  price  me  that  young  bull  for?'  'Oh,  if  you  want  him  you  may  have 
him  for  $100,'  was  the  reply.  'Why,  Mr.  Campbell,'  spoke  up  Gibson 
quickly,'  'Mr.  Sheldon  would  never  sell  such  a  bull  as  that  for  a  cent 
less  than  $400.'  'No  matter,'  said  Mr.  Campbell,  'If  Mr.  King  wants  him 
for  $100  he  can  have  him.'  'Take  him,'  said  my  friend  decidedly;  'he 
will  be  worth  more  to  you  than  all  the  Ayrshires  on  this  farm.'  I  took 
the  bull,  and  with  him  two  or  three  young  heifers  of  the  same  strain 
of  blood,  all,  I  think,  by  Weehawken  from  dams  of  the  Rosamond,  or 
Mason  blood.  And  thus  began  my  Short-horn  purchases.  Whether 
Gibson  put  up  a  job  to  have  that  Short-horn  bull  appear  on  the  stage 
at  that  particular  moment  I  do  not  venture  to  assert,  but  that  his  ap- 
pearance at  that  time  had  much  to  do  in  shaping  my  future  course  as 
a  breeder  is  a  solid  fact. 

"When  advised  by  telegraph  that  the  boat  on  which  the  stock  was 
shipped  from  La  Crosse  would  reach  St.  Paul  at  a  given  hour  I  was  on 
hand  to  receive  them.  When  the  passengers  had  disembarked  the  cat- 
tle were  led  off,  the  Ayrshires  first  being  vmloaded.  Among  the  crowd 
of  levee  loungers  who  were  'watching  out'  to  see  what  was  going  on 
was  one  tall,  lank,  uncouth-looking  chap  who  eyed  my  little  Ayrshires 
with  great  apparent  curiosity,  and  finally  addressing  me  he  broke  out: 
'I  say.  Mister,  what  do  you  call  them  are  critters  there?'  'Young  Ayr- 
shires,' was  the  short  reply.  'Young  wharf  rats,'  he  rejoined,  and 
added  :  'I  say.  Mister,  you'll  have  to  look  out  or  them  little  critters  will 
crawl  through  the  cracks  of  your  barn  floor  and  you'll  lose  'em.'  Too 
indignant  to  reply  to  this  gross  insult  put  upon  my  beautiful  young 
Ayrshires  I  turned  away  from  the  fellow  just  as  the  young  Short-horn 
bull  was  being  led  off  the  boat,  when  my  tormentor,  espying  him,  broke 
out  again :  'I  say,  Mister,  there  comes  a  critter  something  like  what 
a  critter  should  be.  I  know  that  kind  myself.'  'What  kind  of  a  critter 
do  you  call  that?'  some  one  standing  by  inquired,'  'Why,'  said  this  ex- 
pert judge  of  live  stock,  'that's  a  Devon.  I've  seen  hundreds  of  them 
cattle  down  in  Maine  'fore  I  ever  came  "West.'  Offended  pride  and  pa- 
tience could  stand  no  more,  and  sharply  turning  upon  this  critic  I  said 
to  him  :  "Young  man,  that  bull  doesn't  come  anywhere  as  near  being  a 
Devon  as  you  do  to  being  a  natural-born  jackass.'  The  fellow  turned  a 
half -pitying,  half-offended  look  upon  me  as  though  debating  in  his  own 
mind  whether  I  was  really  as  big  a  fool  as  he  evidently  rated  me,  or 
whether  it  was  his  duty  to  resent  in  some  effective  way  my  ill  manner 
in  thus  characterizing  his  pedigree,  but  finally  strolled  off  into  the  crowd 
while  I  headed  my  young  bovine  pilgrims  for  Minneapolis,  where  I 
soon  had  them  safely  and  comfortably  housed  in  their  humble  quarters." 


386  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

1869  and  attracted  much  favorable  notice,  although 
not  in  high  condition.  Meantime  the  proprietor  had 
been  a  visitor  at  some  of  the  important  shows  else- 
where, and  realizing  that  his  stock  could  not  hope 
to  cope  successfully  with  the  great  show  herds  of 
Illinois,  Ohio  and  Kentucky  he  determined  to  bring- 
all  the  resources  of  large  means  to  bear  upon  the 
acquisition  of  animals  of  such  character  as  would 
enable  him  to  break  a  lance  with  the  leading  show- 
men of  the  day.  He  had  heard  of  Baron  Booth  of 
Lancaster  and  of  Eosedale,  and  following  Mr.  Pick- 
rell's  example  visited  Mr.  Cochrane 's. 

The  LyndaJe  show  herd. — At  Hillhurst  he  saw  and 
bought  the  great  Rosedale,  imp.  Queen  of  Diamonds 
and  Maid  of  Atha,  of  William  Miller's  breeding. 
This  was  a  grand  foundation  for  a  show  herd,  but 
no  bull  of  the  requisite  character  could  be  found, 
and  a  two-year-old  heifer  and  yearling  were  also 
needed.  The  ColonePs  ambition  was  now  thoroughly 
aroused,  and  with  characteristic  enterprise  and  lib- 
erality he  gave  Mr.  Cochrane  and  Simon  Beattie 
carte  blanche  to  select  and  bring  out  from  Great 
Britain  the  best  animals  money  could  buy  in  the 
United  Kingdom  to  fill  out  the  herd.  About  this 
same  time  Mr.  John  Gibson  (brother  to  Richard, 
then  at  New  York  Mills)  was  engaged  to  take  gen- 
eral charge  of  the  Lyndale  Herd.  The  McMillan  dis- 
persion occurred  while  Col.  King's  agents  were  look- 
ing for  show  cattle  abroad.  This  was  the  first 
auction  sale  of  cattle  he  had  ever  attended,  and  like 


THE  BIRTH  OF  A  ^'bOOM  387 

all  others  who  were  present  upon  that  occasion  he 
was  fairly  carried  away  by  the  excitement  and 
enthusiasm  of  the  day.  It  was  here  that  he  met 
Lyall,  McMillan's  herdsman,  and  engaged  him  to 
undertake  the  detailed  training  of  the  show  herd 
then  in  progress  of  formation. 

Beattie  arrived  Aug.  2,  1870,  with  the  imported 
cattle.  He  had  brought  out  forty  head  altogether, 
including  the  bulls  Scotsman  10951  and  Old  Sam 
10551,  both  two  years  old,  and  a  pair  of  roan  two- 
year-old  show  heifers  —  Booth's  Lancaster  and 
Countess  of  Yarborough — for  Col.  King's  exami- 
nation. The  bulls  were  both  good;  in  fact  so  evenly 
balanced  that  it  seemed  impossible  to  make  choice 
between  them.  After  extended  deliberation,  how- 
ever, in  which  Messrs.  Beattie,  Cochrane,  King  and 
Gibson  all  participated,  they  decided  to  make  their 
stand  with  Scotsman.  He  was  a  roan,  bred  by  the 
Duke  of  Buccleuch  and  sired  by  Eoyal  Errant  22780 
(the  sire  of  the  dam  of  the  afterward  celebrated  imp. 
Duke  of  Eichmond)  out  of  Comet  by  Lord  Stanley 
(18275).  Even  more  difficulty  was  experienced  in 
trying  to  choose  between  the  two  heifers.  They 
were  both  grand  thick-fleshed  specimens  and  in 
beautiful  bloom.  Booth's  Lancaster  was  a  great 
"chunk" — full  sister  in  blood  to  Baron  Booth 
of  Lancaster — being  by  the  same  sire  out  of  one  of 
the  celebrated  triplet  daughters  of  Lord  Raglan 
from  the  cow  Lancaster  25th,  bred  by  Mr.  Cruick- 
ghank.     The  Countess  was  bred  by  Dudding  from 


388  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Baron  Eosedale  (21239),  a  bull  out  of  the  dam  of 
Rosedale.  The  Lyndale  people  were  afraid  that  if 
they  left  either  of  these  at  Hillhurst  there  would  be 
grave  danger  of  meeting  the  other  later  on  in  hos- 
tile hands  at  the  Western  shows.  There  was  but  one 
safe  thing  to  do;  buy  them  both.  No  yearling  had 
been  bought,  but  hearing  of  Rosedale^s  last  calf, 
Eosedale  Duchess,  her  purchase  was  decided  upon 
without  the  formality  of  an  examination;  the  price 
being  $5,500.  She  proved  a  disappointment.  In  Col. 
King's  expressive  language,  ^^ richly  worth  about  5 
per  cent  of  the  price  paid.'' 

En  route  to  Minnesota  Scotsman  developed  a  case 
of  foot-and-mouth  disease,  w^hich  necessitated  his 
being  quarantined  at  Lyndale,  and  in  spite  of  the 
most  careful  treatment  he  w^as  in  no  condition  to 
head  the  herd  as  the  fall  shows  drew  near.  The  Illi- 
nois State  Fair  was  being  held  the  week  before  ' '  the 
Great  St.  Louis"  Show,  which  was  in  those  days  the 
''Royal"  of  America,  and  after  loading  the  cattle 
(and  some  imported  Cotswold  sheep)  on  board  a 
river  steamer  at  St.  Paul  for  St.  Louis  Gibson  was 
started  post  haste  for  Decatur,  with  instructions  to 
buy  a  show  bull,  if  there  was  one  on  the  Illinois  State 
Fair  Grounds,  at  any  cost.  On  Saturday  before  the 
opening  the  Lyndale  cattle  were  in  their  stalls  at 
St.  Louis,  minus  a  bull,  but  that  same  day  Gibson 
wired  that  he  was  starting  with  Scotsman's  ocean 
companion  Old  Sam.  Mr.  Cochrane  had  not  sold  the 
bull  during  the  summer,  and  had  shipped  him  out 


389 

to  the  Illinois  State  Fair  in  the  expectation  of  find- 
ing a  purchaser.  James  N.  Brown's  Sons  had  Ty- 
coon 7339  at  Decatur  that  year  as  a  three-year-old, 
and  Mr.  Gibson  offered  $2,500  for  him  without  effect- 
ing his  purchase.  As  this  was  one  of  the  most  noted 
of  the  home-bred  show  bulls  of  that  time  a  brief 
statement  concerning  him  will  be  of  interest  at  this 
point. 

Tycoon  7339.— This  noted  roan  must  be  credited 
primarily  to  Kentucky,  as  he  was  sired  by  Mr.  War- 
field's  famous  Muscatoon   7057  out  of  I^annie  by 
Derby  4689,  he  a  son  of  Renick  903;  second  dam 
Maria  Hunt  by  imp.  Young  Chilton,  tracing  in  the 
maternal  line  to  imp.  Illustrious  by  Emperor  (1974). 
He  was  dropped  on  Capt.  James  N.  Brown's  farm  in 
Sangamon  County,  March  27,  1867.    While  his  sire 
and  dam  were  both  bred  at  Grasmere  the  credit  for 
his  development  into  one  of  the  most  noted  show 
bulls  of  his  day  rests  with  Capt.  Brown  and  his  sons, 
who  had  by  this  time  become  associated  with  their 
father  in  the  management  of  the  herd   at   Grove 
Park.*    At  three  years  of  age  he  attained  a  weight 
of  2,360  lbs.     His  head  was  neat,   horns   slightly 
drooping,  and  of  masculine  character.    He  was  well 
filled  behind  the  shoulders,  good  at  the  chine;  level 
in  his  top  and  bottom  lines;  square  and  well  finished 
about  the  rumps,  with  thighs  carried  well  down  to 
straight  and  well-filled  legs.    He  was  rated  by  good 

*Capt.  James  N.  Brown  died  Nov.  16,  1868.     His  sons  still  carry  on 
the  farm,  although  doing-  little  now  in  pedigreed  cattle. 


390  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

judges  as  one  of  the  best  bulls  of  his  time  in  the 
West,  and  his  victories  in  the  show-yard  at  the 
Illinois  State  Fair,  at  St.  Louis  and  other  leading 
exhibitions  gained  for  him  much  reputation. 

Tycoon  was  a  uniformly  good  breeder  and  many 
of  his  heifers  were  fitted  for  show  with  great  sue-, 
cess.  Prominent  among  his  get  may  be  mentioned 
the  $1,000  show  heifer  Maud  Muller,  Illustrious  5th 
and  the  famous  Young  Marys,  Grace  Youngs  4th, 
5th  and  6th.  He  was  sold  at  auction  in  1871  to  Mr. 
S.  C.  Duncan  of  Missouri  and  died  in  1873.  His 
sister,  Illustrious  3d,  was  also  a  great  winner  in  the 
herd  of  Messrs.  Brown. 

King's  victory  at  St.  Louis. — When  the  great  St. 
Louis  show  of  1870  opened  its  gates  Old  Sam  was 
found  at  the  head  of  the  Lyndale  Herd.  He  was  a 
red,  bred  by  H.  R.  Crabb  of  Chelmsford,  Essex,  Eng., 
and  was  got  by  the  Bell-Bates  Duchess  Nancy  bull 
Duke  of  Grafton  (21594),  a  son  of  exported  Duke 
of  Geneva  (19614),  and  similar  in  his  breeding  to 
the  celebrated  Grand  Duke  of  Oxford  (28763),  sire 
of  Eev.  B.  B.  Kennard's  great  English-bred  prize 
cow  Queen  Mary.  Old  Sam's  dam  was  the  mixed- 
bred  cow  Eoma,  by  Baron  Roxwell  (21240).  He 
gained  first  prize  in  the  aged  bull  class  over  Baron 
Booth  of  Lancaster,  but  the  latter  was  awarded  by 
another  committee  the  male  championship  of  the 
class.     Rosedale*  was  an  easy  winner  among  the 


*John  Gibson  describes  Rosedale  as  follows :  "Rosedale  was  one 
cf  the  best  cows  I  ever  saw.  She  was  laid  out  on  a  much  larger  scale 
than  the  cows  now  shown.     She  had  an  extraordinary  front  that  was 


391 

aged  cows;  Queen  of  Diamonds  carried  the  three- 
year-old  ribbon,  Booth's  Lancaster  the  first  for  two- 
year-old  heifer  and  Countess  of  Yarborough  second. 
In  yearlings  the  $5,500  Rosedale's  Duchess  was  not 
noticed,  but  in  heifer  calves  the  sweet-faced  heavy- 
coated  Constance  of  Lyndale,  by  5th  Duke  of  Geneva, 
hejaded  the  list.*  The  herd  prize  fell  to  Lyndale 
after  one  of  the  most  exciting  contests  ever  known 
in  America  show-yards,  Illinois,  Missouri  and  Ken- 
tucky were  defeated,  but  Great  Britain  and  Canada 
had  been  ransacked  with  a  blank  check-book  to  do 
the  trick. 

History  tells  of  the  ''Field  of  the  Cloth  of  Gold,'' 
where  the  kings  of  France  and  England  met  in  the 
midst  of  such  luxurious  surroundings  as  to  make  the 
conference  memorable  mainly  for  its  extravagant 
splendor.  The  tent  which  flew  the  flag  of  Lyndale 
and  from  whence  Col.  King  dispensed  hospitality  to 
the  fraternity  of  Short-horn  breeders  at  this  show 

well  carried  back  to  her  hips.  She  was  long,  wide  and  deep,  with  great 
thickness  of  flesh,  evenly  laid.  She  was  just  a  little  plain  from  her 
hips  back,  which  was  about  her  only  fault.  With  all  her  size  and  wealth 
of  flesh  she  had  no  coarseness  or  roughness,  showing  a  fine  feminine 
head,  well  carried.  Queen  of  Diamonds  tied  her  for  sweepstakes  at  St. 
Louis,  but  the  old  cow  rightly  got  it.  One  of  the  best  things  we  showed 
at  St.  Louis  in  1870  was  the  Constance  heifer.  One  gentleman  who 
saw  her  before  the  show  remarked  what  a  good  one  she  was  and  said : 
'You  have  trained  wrong  ;  kept  too  much  hair  on.  That  is  all  right  for 
the  Royal,  but  will  not  do  for  the  States.'  I  replied  that  I  never  saw  a 
Short-horn  with  too  much  hair  of  the  right  quality,  and  the  St.  Louis 
judges  seemed  to  think  the  same." 

*  Constance  was  shown  here  in  the  wrong  class,  as  was  afterward 
acknowledged.  There  was  always  considerable  contention  between 
Edwin  Bedford  and  George  Bedford.  Mr.  Edwin  Bedford  had  bought 
the  5th  Duke  of  Geneva,  and  when  this  heifer  made  the  rounds,  really 
a  yearling  and  shown  as  a  calf,  she  was  awarded  great  honors  and,  of 
course,  Edwin  was  very  proud  of  her.  Mr.  George  Bedford  said  he  need 
not  be,  because  she  could  not  be  a  daughter  of  5th  Duke  of  Geneva,  as 
she  was  too  young.  Then,  of  course.  Col.  King  either  had  to  deny  her 
sire  or  acknowledge — as,  upon  investigation,  he  subsequently  did — that 
she  was  shown  in  the  wrong  ring. 


392  A   HISTOEY   OF   SHOET-HORX    CATTLE 

was  not  carpeted  with  gold  exactly,  but  it  lacked 
little  that  money  could  supply  that  would  minister 
to  the  tastes  or  appetites  of  the  most  fastidious 
among  the  congenial  spirits  congregated  to  do  honor 
to  that  princely  entertainer  upon  this  great  gala 
occasion.  It  was  a  famous  victory;  a  magnificent 
herd  and  a  royal  celebration;  an  event  which  will  be 
recalled  as  long  as  show7yard  battles  retain  their 
interest  as  probably  the  most  remarkable  event,  in 
some  of  its  features  at  least,  in  the  annals  of  cattle 
competitions  in  America. 

W.  R.  Duncan's  sale.— The  McMillan  sale,  it  is 
needless  to  say,  gave  a  great  impetus  to  Short-horn 
breeding  in  the  West,  and  trade  at  once  grew  active, 
both  at  public  sale  and  private  treaty,  at  high  prices. 
At  an  auction  held  by  W.  E.  Duncan  at  Towanda, 
111.,  Aug.  24,  1870,  the  show  bull  Minister  6363  was 
sold  to  Andrew  Wilson  of  Topeka,  Kan.,  at  $1,760. 
Oxford  Wiley  8753  fetched  $705  and  several  other 
bulls  brought  from  $400  to  $500  each.  The  seven- 
year-old  Young  Mary  cow  Eed  Eose  3d,  a  red-roan 
of  Ben  F.  Van  Meter's  breeding,  went  to  George 
Otley  of  Neponset,  111.,  at  $1,500.  The  red  cow  Gem 
3d,  also  of  Van  Meter's  breeding,  fetched  $1,150, 
going  to  Ed.  lies,  Springfield,  111.  The  cow  Oxford 
Belle,  bred  at  Woodburn,  made  $1,000  to  Eobert 
Otley,  Neponset,  111.  Others  were  sold  at  from  $400 
to  $750. 

The  beginning  of  live-stock  journalism.— It  may 
be  of  interest  at  this  point  to  note  that  from  the 


393 

month  of  May,  1869,  may  be  dated  the  begimiing  of 
live-stock  journalism  as  a  special  feature  of  agricul- 
tural newspaper  work.  Upon  that  date  Mr.  J.  H. 
Sanders,  founder  of  the  Breeder's  Gazette,  began 
the  publication  of  a  sixteen-page  monthly  called  the 
Western  Stock  Journal,  issued  at  Sigourney,  la.,  the 
initial  number  representing  a  portrait  of  Mr.  Mc- 
Millan's celebrated  Louan  21st.  Mr.  Sanders  was  at 
that  time  interested  in  stock  breeding  himself,  and 
feeling  the  need  personally  of  information  bearing 
upon  the  business  took  advantage  of  his  ownership 
of  a  small  country  printing-office  to  undertake  on  his 
own  account  the  first  venture  of  this  kind  of  which 
we  have  record.  The  publication  acquired  imme- 
diate popularity,  and  its  success  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  Mr.  George  W.  Eust,  at  that  date  engaged  in 
newspaper  work  upon  the  Chicago  Times,  who  in 
connection  with  the  Hon.  John  P.  Eeynolds  estab- 
lished at  Chicago  in  September,  1871,  a  more  pre- 
tentious magazine,  which  was  christened  the 
National  Live-Stock  Journal.  The  immediate  object 
of  Mr.  Sanders  having  thus  been  accomplished  he 
accepted  a  proposition  for  the  consolidation  of  his 
own  paper  with  that  of  Mr.  Rust,  assuming  at  the 
same  time  a  position  as  associate  editor  of  the  Chi- 
cago periodical. 

Mr.  Rust  was  a  ready  and  forcible  writer,  and  at 
once  made  a  special  study  of  the  Short-horn  trade. 
His  paper  soon  attained  National  circulation  and  in- 
fluence and  afforded  stock-breeders  in  general  and 


394  A  HISTOEY   OF   SHORT-HOEX   CATTLE 

the  Short-horn  fraternity  in  particular  a  needed 
medium  of  communication.  The  National  Live-Stock 
Journal,  with  which  Messrs.  Charles  P.  Willard  and 
William  Hallowell  also  became  identified,  was  soon 
recognized  as  a  powerful  influence  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  American  interest  in  pedigreed  stock 
breeding.*  In  the  course  of  time  the  Journal  gave 
way  to  the  weekly  Breeder's  Gazette,  which  was 
established  in  1881. 


*The  author  may  perhaps  be  pardoned  for  stating  that  it  was  in  the 
work  of  compiling  Short-horn  catalogues  in  the  office  of  the  monthly 
magazine  mentioned  that  he  acquired,  some  twenty  years  ago,  his  first 
acquaintance  with  the  intricacies  of  the  Short-horn  Herd  Books  of  Great 
Britain  and  America. 


CHAPTER  XIV 
AN  ERA  OF  EXPANSION 

Important  events  now  followed  thick  and  fast. 
Hundreds  of  herds  were  in  process  of  formation  all 
the  way  from  New  England  to  the  Pacific  Coast. 
The  fame  of  the  Short-horn  had  become  co-extensive 
with  North  American  agriculture  and  the  demand 
greater  than  at  any  previous  period.  To  mention, 
therefore,  in  detail  all  those  who  took  a  prominent 
part  in  this  broad  expansion  of  Short-horn  interests 
would  be  to  transcribe  to  these  pages  volumes  of 
facts  and  pedigrees  that  may  best  be  gathered  from 
the  herd-book  records  of  the  period.  We  can,  there- 
fore, touch  only  upon  matters  that  fairly  possessed 
National  or  international  interest. 

HiUhurst  and  Lyndale  operations. — Three  impor- 
tations were  made  to  Hillhurst  in  1870,  aggregating 
some  sixty-five  head  of  cattle  representing  the  lead- 
ing Bates  and  Booth  strains.  In  the  first  lot  were 
the  show  cattle  sold  to  Col.  King,  as  already  men- 
tioned. Along  with  these  Mr.  Cochrane  brought  out 
from  Col.  Gunter's  Duchesses  101st  and  103d — at  the 
extraordinary  price  of  $5,000  and  $7,500  respec- 
tively— both  sired  by  exp.  4th  Duke  of  Thorndale, 
and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  these  Duchesses  dropped 
heifer  calves  by  8th  Duke  of  York  (28480).    In  this 

395 


396  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HOEX   CATTLE 

same  shipment  was  the  roan  show  cow  Jessie  Hope- 
well, of  Aylmer's  breeding,  that  was  sold  to  Ed  lies 
of  SiDringfield,  111.  In  the  second  shipment  were 
several  heifers  from  Warlaby  and  Killerby  and  three 
Booth  bulls,  one  of  which,  Eoyal  Richard  15415,  was 
sold  to  A.  Van  Meter  of  Kentucky.  Mr.  Cochrane 
continued  his  operations  in  1871,  bringing  over  a 
large  number  of  well-bred  and  individually  excellent 
animals,  including  the  roan  heifer  Royal  Duchess  2d, 
sold  to  Mr.  lies;  the  red  Portulacca,  that  became 
the  property  of  C.  E.  Coffin  of  Muirkirk,  Md.;  the 
red  bull  The  Doctor  13021  and  Cherub  11505,  both 
subsequently  famous  in  the  West;  the  roan  Breadal- 
bane  11429^  of  Torr's  breeding,  sold  to  S.  R.  Streator 
of  Cleveland,  0.,  etc. 

Richard  Gibson  selected  for  importation  by  Col. 
King  in  1871  a  lot  that  included  such  noted  animals 
as  Baron  Hubback  2d  13199,  of  Col.  Towneley's 
breeding;  Countess  of  Oxford,  from  Messrs.  Hosken 
of  Cornwall;  Lady  Brough,  largely  of  Booth  blood, 
etc.  Meantime  Mr.  Cochrane  had  sold  Duchess  97th 
to  Col.  King  at  the  enormous  price  of  $12,000,  but 
shrewdly  foreseeing  the  result  of  the  manipulations 
going  on  at  New^  York  Mills  the  proprietor  of  Hill- 
hurst  repurchased  this  heifer,  and  along  with  her 
the  6th  Duke  of  Geneva. 

Exportations  to  England. — In  April,  1871,  Mr. 
Cochrane  sold  through  Mr.  Thornton  to  Col.  Kings- 
cote  for  $4,000  the  red  yearling  bull  Duke  of  Hill- 
hurst   9862,   by    14th   Duke    of   Thorndale    out   of 


a:n"  eka  of  expaitsion'  397 

Duchess  97lh,  that  afterward  sired  the  highest- 
priced  bull  of  any  breed  ever  sold  in  the  world,  to- 
wit:  Duke  of  Connaught  (33604),  for  w^hich  Lord 
Fitzhardinge  gave  $22,500.  Along  with  Duke  of 
Hillhurst  Mr.  Cochrane  shipped  the  roan  heifer  11th 
Lady  of  Oxford  to  the  Earl  of  Dunmore,  Stirling, 
Scotland,  at  $3,750. 

In  October,  1871,  Walcott  &  Campbell  shipped 
three  Oxford  heifers,  the  9th  Maid  and  10th  and  13th 
Ladys  of  Oxford,  together  with  the  yearling  Oxford 
bull  5th  Lord  Oxford  10382  and  the  1st  Duke  of 
Oneida  9925,  all  sold  to  E.  H.  Cheney.  For  the  1st 
Duke  $4,250  was  received.  He  was  afterward  resold 
to  Lord  Skelmersdale.  The  9th  Maid  of  Oxford  was 
a  particularly  valuable  heifer,  having  been  success- 
fully exhibited  before  exportation  at  the  New  York 
State  Fair.  Unfortunately  she  died  soon  after  land- 
ing abroad. 

In  November,  1871,  Mr.  Cochrane  made  another 
sale  to  Dunmore,  consisting  of  the  white  Duchess 
107th  and  the  roan  Duchess  108th,  the  8th  Maid  of 
Oxford,  Marchioness  of  Oxford,  and  four  Kentucky- 
bred  Roses  of  Sharon.  For  the  Duchess  heifers  the 
enormous  price  of  $12,500  was  paid.  The  two  Rose  of 
Sharon  cows  Red  Rose,  of  Mr.  Renick^s  breeding, 
by  Airdrie  2478,  and  Red  Rose  2d,  of  William  War- 
field  's  breeding,  by  Duke  Frederick,  were  taken,  to- 
gether with  their  heifer  calves,  at  $2,500. 

Clark  Co.  (Ky.)  Importing  Co.— The  importing 
trade   into   Kentucky,    which   had    languished   for 


398  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

many  years,  was  now  revived.  An  organization 
made  up  mainly  of  Clark  County  breeders  sent  Lewis 
Hampton  and  W.  C.  Vanmeter  to  England  early  in 
1871  to  make  a  selection  of  cattle  for  immediate  im- 
portation. The  stock  landed  in  New  York  April  11 
and  was  disposed  of  on  the  fair  grounds  near  Win- 
chester on  Aug.  26.  Twenty-three  head  brought 
$19,685,  an  average  of  $855.87,  the  highest  price 
realized  being  $1,300  for  the  red  heifer  Cowslip  2d, 
bought  by  Lewis  Hampton.  The  red  cow  Pride  of 
the  West,  bred  by  Mr.  G.  Game  and  sired  by  exp. 
6th  Duke  of  Airdrie  (19602),  went  to  W.  H.  Nelson 
of  Montgomery  County  at  $1,250.  The  same  buyer 
took  the  red  yearling  heifer  Lady  Spencer  2d,  by 
Baron  Oxford  (23375),  at  $1,220.  For  Earity,  of  the 
Charmer  tribe,  Asa  Bean  gave  $1,080.  The  roan 
bull  Peabody  (29535)  went  to  W.  C.  Vanmeter  at 
$900,  Duke  of  Babraham  (25934)  to  W.  L.  Sudduth 
at  $790,  and  the  Pawlett-Booth  bull  calf  Pioneer 
12593  to  same  buyer  at  $400.  At  this  same  sale  a 
draft  of  home-bred  cattle  was  offered,  the  highest- 
priced  animal  contributed  by  local  breeders  being 
the  Young  Mary  cow  Beck  Taylor,  by  Dick  Taylor, 
taken  by  Mr.  J.  E.  Sudduth  at  $600.  The  Young 
Phyllis  yearling  heifer  Queen  of  Hearts,  sired  by  the 
show  bull  Bumside  4618,  brought  $550. 

High  prices  in  Illinois. — Edward  lies  sold  twenty- 
nine  head  at  Springfield,  111.,  Nov.  15,  1871,  for 
$14,940,  an  average  of  $515.17.  The  show  cow  Jessie 
Hopewell,  by  a  Booth  bull  on  a  mixed  English  foun- 


AN  ERA  OF  EXPANSION  399 

dation,  was  included  in  this  sale  and  was  taken  by 
J.  H.  Kissinger  of  Clarksville,  Mo.,  at  $2,500.  J.  G. 
Taylor  of  Decatur,  III,  bought  Oxford  Duchess,  a 
two-year-old  Bates-topped  heifer  (imported  by  Hon. 
M.  H.  Cochrane),  for  $2,100.  The  yearling  show 
heifer  Nelly  Bly  of  Forest  Hill,  by  Gen.  Grant  4825, 
commanded  $1,800  from  Mr.  Spears.  Mr.  Sodowsky 
of  Indianola,  III,  gave  $1,800  for  the  red  cow  Poten- 
tilla,  of  mixed  English  breeding,  also  imported  by 
Mr.  Cochrane.  J.  H.  Pickrell  took  the  imported  roan 
cow  Statesman's  Daughter  2d  at  $700,  and  other 
parties,  afterward  well  known  and  active  in  the 
trade,  such  as  C.  E.  Lippincott,  Messrg.  Parks,  A.  R. 
Babbage,  William  Stewart,  Samuel  Dysart,  AVilliam 
Smith,  Jeff  Bridgford  (Missouri),  et  al.,  were  buyers 
of  cows  and  heifers.  The  ten-year-old  7th  Duke  of 
Airdrie  was  bought  by  W.  B.  Dodge,  Waukegan,  111., 
at  $500,  and  the  roan  bull  calf  Chief  Napier — a  "J" 
Princess  by  imp.  Gen.  Napier — was  taken  by  E.  W. 
Mills,  Sullivan,  111.,  at  $800. 

The  great  trade  of  1872.— During  the  year  1872 
exportations  at  high  prices  to  Great  Britain  were 
renewed  on  a  still  more  extensive  scale,  and  the 
domestic  trade  was  vastly  in  excess  of  anything 
previously  recorded,  no  less  than  1,014  head  of 
Short-horns  being  sold  at  auction  in  the  United 
States  during  the  year  for  $317,256,  an  average  of 
$313  each.  This,  of  course,  does  not  include  the 
great  list  of  transfers  at  private  sale. 

Richard  Gibson,  who  was  now  located  at  London, 


400  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOKT-HORN   CATTLE 

Ont.,  went  to  Woodburn  in  April  and  bought  the  8th, 
13th  and  14th  Duchesses  of  Airdrie  for  export  to 
Cheney  of  Gaddesby  Hall.  Along  with  the  Duch- 
esses he  sent  the  Princess  cows  Primula  (bred  by  A. 
B.  Conger),  Lady  Wellington  and  Lady  Sale  of  Put- 
ney (both  bred  by  Messrs.  Winslow  of  Vermont),  the 
Gwynne  cow  Lady  Susan  3d  and  heifer  calf  (bred 
by  Mr.  White  of  Framingham,  Mass.),  and  the  Con- 
stance heifer  Rosina,  bred  by  Cowan  of  Canada. 

Lord  Dunmore  again  drew  upon  America,  order- 
ing from  Hillhurst  the  Booth-bred  bulls  Royal 
Blithe  and  Breakspear  and  the  red  yearling  3d  Duke 
of  Hillhurst.  .Mr.  Cochrane  had  now  acquired  pos- 
session of  the  Booth  stock  imported  for  New  York 
Mills.  Royal  Blithe  was  a  son  of  the  Warlaby-bred 
Merry  Peal,  but  died  on  shipboard.  A  stormy  pas- 
sage was  encountered  and  the  other  two  bulls  ar- 
rived at  Liverpool  in  December  much  reduced  in 
flesh. 

This  year  is  memorable  in  the  annals  of  Kentucky 
Short-horn  breeding  especially  for  the  sale  to  Earl 
Dunmore  by  Abram  Renick  of  the  Rose  of  Sharon 
heifers  Red  Rose  of  the  Isles,  Red  Rose  of  Thorn- 
dale  and  Red  Rose  of  Rannoch,  the  first  a  daughter 
of  old  Airdrie,  the  second  by  8th  Duke  of  Thorn- 
dale  and  the  third  by  Joe  Johnson.  All  were  in 
calf  to  the  4th  Duke  of  Geneva.  Dunmore  had  been 
attached  to  the  staffs  of  various  Confederate  com- 
manders during  the  American  Civil  War  in  quest  of 
military  experience.    He  was  with  Lee,  Wade  Hamp- 


AN  ERA  OF  EXPANSION  401 

ton  and  Kirby  Smith,  and  when  the  latter  made  his 
dash  into  Kentucky  the  Scottish  Earl  improved  the 
opportunity  to  have  a  look  incognito  at  some  of  the 
Short-horn  herds  of  the  blue-grass  country.  Out  of 
this  visit  grew  his  subsequent  orders  for  cattle  of 
the  Eose  of  Sharon  tribe. 

Col.  L.  G.  Morris  of  New  York  brought  out  in 
August,  1872,  five  heifers  and  two  bulls  of  Bates 
blood,  including  the  bull  Oxford  Beau  2d,  of  Kings- 
cote  breeding.  Australia  was  also  buying  freely  in 
the  mother  country  about  this  period,  paying  the 
Duke  of  Devonshire  $5,000  for  24th  Duke  of  Oxford 
(31002). 

The  first  public  sale  of  cattle  ever  held  at  Dexter 
Park,  Chicago,  occurred  this  year,  the  herd  of  Mr. 
E.  P.  Brockway  of  Wisconsin,  that  acquired  consid- 
erable reputation  in  the  show-ring,  going  under  the 
hammer  at  an  average  price  of  $693  per  head.  Col 
AYilham  S.  King  sold  twenty-eight  females  at  auc- 
tion at  an  average  of  $452,  the  show  heifer  Booth's 
Lancaster  bringing  $1,700  from  Messrs.  Parks  of 
Glen  Flora  Farm,  Waukegan,  111.,  and  the  imported 
cows  Henrietta  and  Countess  Oxford  going  to  the 
same  noted  herd  at  $1,500  and  $1,000  respectively. 
Booth's  Lancaster  was  resold  later  to  S.  R.  Streator 
of  Cleveland,  0.,  for  $2,000. 

It  was  during  this  year  also  that  J.  H   Pickrell 
sold^imp.  British  Flag  13211,*  bred  by  Messrs.  Dud- 

Pratf'^ibS  ^h^  was  one  of  an  importation  made  in  1871  bv  a  Cant 


402  A    HISTORY    OF    SHORT-IIORX    CATTLE 

ding,  for  $1,800,  and  Baron  Lewis,  a  Phyllis  bull  by 
Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster,  to  "Uncle  Harvey"  So- 
dowsky  of  Indianola,  111.,  for  $3,000  at  a  public  sale 
that  averaged  $603. 

Many  important  transactions  were  consummated 
this  season  at  private  treaty.  George  Murray,  a 
Scotchman  in  the  lumber  trade  at  Eacire,  Wis.,  who 
had  been  a  heavy  buyer  at  the  McMillan  sale,  now 
acquired  from  Mr.  Alexander  the  afterward  cele- 
brated 10th  Duchess  of  Airdrie.  He  was  using  at 
this  time  at  the  head  of  his  Slausondale  Herd  the 
17th  Duke  of  Airdrie,  and  had  paid  $1,210  for  Ma- 
zurka 26th.  J.  H.  Kissinger  of  Missouri  received 
during  this  season's  trade  $1,800  for  his  Caroline 
Airdrie  heifer  by  Mr.  PickrelPs  Sweepstakes  6230 
to  go  to  California. 

While  all  this  was  going  on  in  America  prices 
were  "  booming '^  abroad.  At  Earl  Dunmore's  sale 
Sept.  5,  1872,  the  English  sale  record  was  broken 
when  Mr.  Thornton  disposed  of  forty-eight  cows 
and  heifers  for  over  $60,000,  an  average  of  some 
$1,250.  At  this  sale  Baron  Oxford  5th  brought 
$2,000.     The  highest  price  for  a  female  was  $6,000 


price.  At  this  sale  a  very  persistent  stranger  bid  for  Baron  Lewis 
against  Mr.  Sodowsky,  and  when  the  $2,500  notch  was  reached  the  ex- 
citement was  intense.  Turning  to  his  opponent  Mr.  S.  said:  "Well, 
stranger,  you  must  have  lots  of  money."  The  only  reply  was  an  advance 
of  the  bid.  The  belligerent  Vermilion  County  breeder,  however,  had 
some  "sand,"  as  well  as  means,  himself,  and  forced  his  rival  out  at 
$3  000.  The  stranger  did  have  money  sure  enough,  or  at  least  he  repre- 
sented it,  for  he  was  the  agent  of  the  Hon.  John  Wentworth  of  Chicago. 
"Long  John,"  as  he  was  familiarly  called,  was  fond  of  sending  "un- 
knowns" out  after  valuable  cattle  offered  at  public  sale,  and  in  this  in- 
stance only  repeated  his  tactics  as  already  noticed  in  his  purchase  of 
the  15th  Duke  of  Airdrie  some  years  previous. 


AN  ERA  OF  EXPANSION  403 

for  a  yearling  Oxford  heifer,  another  of  the  same 
family  bringing  $5,050.    The  part  of  the  EarPs  herd 
not  offered  upon  this  occasion  comprised  his  Ameri- 
can importations,  one  or  two  favorite  old  cows,  and 
a  tribe  known  as  the  Eevelrys— twenty-two  head  in 
all— for  which  $75,000  in  a  lump  sum  was  said  to 
have  been  refused.    After  this  sale  two  of  the  Red 
Roses  (Renick  Rose  of  Sharon)  were  parted  with 
privately  at  $10,000.    On  Nov.  30  following  Mr.  Si- 
mon Beattie  shipped  for  Lord  Dunmore  from  Amer- 
ica five  heifers,  all  descended  from  imp.  Rose  of 
Sharon,  by  Belvedere  (1706).     Three  of  these  were 
bred  by  Abram  Renick— Minnie  4th,  by  old  Airdrie 
(30365) ;  Duchess  10th,  by  Joe  Johnson,  and  Rose  of 
Thorndale,  by  8th  Duke  of  Thorndale.     The  other 
two  were  of  the  Ohio  branch  of  the  tribe,  tracing 
through  Lady  of  the  Lake,  and  were  bred  by  Mr. 
Chauncey  Hills  of  Delaware;  one  of  them  got  by  Mr. 
Hills'  Imperial   Starlight  8270   and  the   other  by 
Judge  Jones'  Mazurka  Duke  of  Airdrie  10478.    Re- 
markable as  was  the  Dunmore  sale  of  Sept.  5  a  still 
more  sensational  one  was  soon  to  follow.     Messrs. 
Harward  &  Downing  sold  on  Sept.  18  sixty-one  head 
for  £15,458,  an  average  of  £253,  the  three-year-old 
bull  8th  Duke  of  Geneva  going  to  Mr.  Leney  at 
£1,650,  or  fully  $8,250  in  gold,  the  highest  price  paid 
at  auction  for  any  animal  of  the  breed  up  to  that 
date.     Mr.  Downing  had  paid  Mr.  Sheldon  of  New 
York  $4,000  for  the  bull  in  1869.    Col.  L.  G.  Morris 
of  Fordham,  N.  Y.,  was  a  buyer  at  this  sale.     The 


404  A   HISTORY   OF   SIIORT-IIOKN^    CATTLE 

liigliost-priced  female  was  5tli  Maid  of  Oxford  at 
$4,500. 

Oakland  Favorite  10546  and  Loudon  Duke  6th 
10399.— In  1870  Mr.  Charles  E.  Leonard  of  Ravens- 
wood  Farm,  Mo.,  had  purchased  from  D.  McMillan 
of  Ohio  the  eight-months  bull  calf  Oakland  Favor- 
ite 10546,  sired  by  Loyal  Duke  of  Oakland  6977  out 
of  Mignonette  by  Gen.  Grant  4825 ;  second  dam  Jes- 
sie—the dam  of  Gen.  Grant— by  Starlight  2d  2259. 
He  sustained  the  good  reputation  of  the  McMillan 
stock,  proving  an  extra  show  bull  and  winning  for 
Mr.  Leonard  many  first  and  championship  prizes 
west  of  the  Mississippi  River. 

In  1872  Mr.  John  G.  Cowan  of  Holt  Co.,  Mo.,  pur- 
chased the  celebrated  Loudon  Duke  6tli  10399,  bred 
by  Mr.  Warfield  and  sired  by  Muscatoon  7057  out  of 
the  great  show  cow  Loudon  Duchess  2d  by  Duncan's 
Duke  of  Airdrie  2743.  We  believe  this  bull  was  once 
defeated  at  Kansas  City  by  Mr.  Leonard's  Oakland 
Favorite,  but  his  career  in  the  Missouri,  Kansas  and 
Nebraska  show-yards  represented  an  almost  un- 
broken line  of  victories.  He  was  a  red  with  straight 
top  and  bottom  lines;  a  broad,  deep  chest;  good  on 
the  fore  ribs  and  through  the  heart;  possessing 
smooth,  well-laid  shoulders,  deep  ribs,  low  flanks, 
faultless  hind  quarters  and  the  traditional  Duke  of 
Airdrie  neatness.  He  had  been  shown  by  Mr.  War- 
field  with  great  success  in  Kentucky,  Ohio  and  Indi- 
ana, where  he  had  only  been  beaten  once  as  a  year- 
ling.   Mr.  Cowan  paid  $3,000  for  him  as  a  two-year- 


AN  EEA  OF  EXPAXSIOX  405 

old,  and  his  exhibition  at  the  Western  fairs  served 
to  spread  the  reputation  of  the  Short-horns  well  be^ 
yond  the  Missouri  Eiver.  Shown  with  his  get  he 
never  met  defeat.  In  fact  as  a  breeding  bull  he  had 
no  equal  in  the  Western  country  in  his  day.  His  de- 
scendants in  th^  Cowan  herd  were  distinguished 
show  and  breeding  animals  for  many  years,  and  one 
of  his  sons  contributed  much  to  the  success  of  the 
late  Hon.  D.  M.  Moninger  in  his  great  steer-breeding 
operations  in  Iowa.  In  the  hands  of  Mr.  Richard 
Daniels,  one  of  Nebraska's  pioneer  breeders,*  bulls 
by  Loudon  Duke  6th  rendered  capital  service,  and 
one  of  his  daughters,  Loudon's  Minnie,  was  a  fea- 
ture of  the  Short-horn  exhibit  at  the  Philadelphia 
Centennial. 

First  National  convention.— On  Nov.  27,  1872,  the 
first  National  convention  of  breeders  of  Short-horns 
ever  held  in  America  met  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  the 
chairman  of  the  committee  that  issued  the  call  for 
this  important  meeting  having  been  the  late  Hon. 


*Mr.  Ralph  Anderson  of  Falls  City  was  possibly  the  first  breeder  of 
Short-horns  in  Nebraska,  but  Mr.  Daniels  shipped,  in  1867,  the  first 
specimens  of  the  breed  ever  taken  to  the  State  by  rail,  paying-  $200  per 
car  from  Chicag-o.  A  chute  for  unloading  had  to  be  specially  built  at 
Council  Bluffs.  Mr.  Daniels'  initial  purchases,  like  those  of  most  of  the 
other  Western  breeders,  were  largely  of  "Seventeen"  blood,  and  con- 
cerning these  he  says  :  "I  think  tliey  were  as  good  beef  cattle  as  I 
ever  saw."  He  also  brought  with  this  lot  a  two-year-old  steer  for  which 
he  paid  $100  in  Michigan,  keeping  liim  until  he  was  six  years  old,  when 
he  was  sold  to  Shirley  Bros,  of  Omaha  for  Christmas  beef  at  a  high 
price.  Mr.  Daniels  bought  from  Mr.  Cowan  the  breeding  bull  Knight  of 
St.  George  8473,  that  had  been  bred  by  W.  R.  Duncan  of  Illinois.  He 
was  a  Phyllis,  sired  by  Minister  6363,  and  cost  Mr.  Daniels  $1,000.  Then 
for  many  years  he  bred  from  sons  of  Loudon  Duke  6th.  Speaking  of 
his  experience  with  Short-horns  "Uncle  Dick,"  as  this  veteran  Nebraska 
breeder  is  familiarly  called,  says  :  "If  I  had  to  begin  life  over  again 
I  would  breed  Short-horns.    They  always  paid  me." 


406  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

Claude  Matthews  of  Indiana.  This  great  mass  meet- 
ing grew  out  of  a  desire  on  the  part  of  those  who 
were  the  recognized  leaders  in  the  trade  at  this  date 
to  have  a  higher  standard  of  registry  established 
for  the  herd  book,  which  was  at  that  time  the  private 
property  of  Mr.  Lewis  F.  Allen.  Those  who  had 
been  paying  long  prices  for  stock  of  comparatively 
recent  importation,  or  immediate  descendants  there- 
of, sought  to  cast  discredit  upon  cattle  bred  from 
many  of  the  earlier  importations,  and  it  was  argued 
that  inasmuch  as  some  of  the  foundation  stock  in 
the  herd  book  had  no  pedigree,  and  as  others  regis- 
tered in  the  early  days  boasted  pedigrees  known  to 
be  of  questionable  character,  it  was  necessary  to 
practically  treat  the  descendants  of  such  cattle  as 
*' grades."  Indeed  tjie  question  of  demanding  a 
more  rigid  standard  of  admission  to  the  herd  book 
was  the  prime  factor  in  the  calling  of  this  conven- 
tion. George  W.  Eust,  through  the  Live-Stock  Jour- 
nal, had  published  scathing  denunciations  of  what 
he  characterized  as  the  inexcusable  laxity  of  the 
Allen  rules,  and  the  fact  that  the  *' purists''  had 
already  gone  so  far  as  to  establish  in  Kentucky 
(under  the  powerful  patronage  of  Mr.  A.  J.  Alex- 
ander and  under  the  immediate  direction  of  Maj. 
Humphrey  Evans)  a  rival  pedigree  register  known 
as  the  ^^  American  Short-horn  Eecord"  indicated  tlie 
extent  and  depth  of  the  feeling  existing  in  respect 
to  this  matter. 

After  extended  debate  the  followinor  resolutions 


AN  ERA  OF  EXPANSION  407 

bearing  upon  this  and  another  mooted  question  were 
adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  ancestry  of  the  animals  should  be  traced 
on  both  sides  to  imported  animals,  or  to  those  heretofore  recorded 
in  the  American  Herd  Book,  with  pedigrees  not  false  or  spurious, 
before  they  can  be  entitled  to  registry. 

Resolved,  That  the  person  under  whose  direction  the  animals 
are  coupled  should  be  recognized  as  the  breeder  of  the  produce. 

Mr.  Allen  accepted  these  and  the  other  recom- 
mendations of  the  convention  and  agreed  to  be  gov- 
erned by  them  in  the  conduct  of  the  herd  book. 

Opposition  to  prevailing  ''fashions"  developed.— 
The  era  of  speculation  was  now  in  full  swing.  BelPs 
history  of  Bates  cattle  and  Carr's  history  of  the 
Booth  herds  had  appeared  in  England,  and  were 
widely  read  in  America.  Controversies  were  waged 
through  the  public  press  and  at  every  gathering  of 
breeders  over  the  pedigrees  and  character  of  the 
great  rival  types.  Prominent  among  those  who  took 
part  in  this  in  the  States  were  Hon.  T.  C.  Jones  of 
Delaware,  0.,  and  A.  S.  Matthews  of  Wytheville,  Va., 
both  of  whom  ridiculed  many  of  the  claims  made  by 
the  partisans  of  the  Bates  Short-horns.  Judge  Jones 
was  a  man  of  strong  intellect,  deeply  versed  in 
Short-horn  lore,  and  as  fond  of  a  controversy  as  any 
native  of  Erin.  He  was  an  experienced  breeder,  and 
for  a  period  of  nearly  twenty  years  was  one  of  the 
leading  American  writers  on  Short-horn  cattle.  His 
ability,  honesty  of  purpose  and  virile  character 
commanded  the  respect  even  of  those  who  differed 
with  him  in  relation  to  the  various  controverted 


408  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

tenets  of  the  Short-horn  faith.  There  was  a  sharp 
tilt  in  England  between  Lord  Dunmore  and  Mr.  J. 
B.  Booth,  in  the  course  of  which  the  latter  chal- 
lenged the  Earl  to  show  twenty  head  of  the  Killerby 
Hecubas  against  a  like  number  of  any  one  tribe  at 
Dunmore  for  $5,000  a  side,  to  which  His  Lordship 
responded  that  he  did  not  have  that  number  of  any 
one  tribe  in  his  pastures.  It  is  of  interest  at  this 
juncture,  as  reflecting  a  feeling  that  was  becoming 
very  prevalent  at  this  stage  of  the  proceedings,  to 
note  that  the  National  Live-Stock  Journal  in  com- 
menting upon  the  Booth-Dunmore  controversy  in  its 
issue  of  January,  1873,  used  the  following  significant 
language : 

"The  Booth  and  Bates  men  usually  profit  by  these  discussions; 
they  no  doubt  intended  that  this  controversy  should  tend,  as  pre- 
vious ones  have,  to  attract  public  attention  to  those  rival  strains, 
until  purchasers  should  be  persuaded  that  the  only  question  for 
them  to  decide  was  which  of  the  'breeds,'  to  use  the  language  of 
Mr.  Bates,  should  be  selected.  Hearing  this  perpetual  contro- 
versy it  is  not  strange  that  amateurs  should  be  willing  to  pay 
long  prices  for  a  Booth  or  Bates  pedigree,  without  regard  to  the 
excellence  of  the  animal.  But  that  practical  men,  who  have  had 
experience  in  breeding,  and  especially  that  managers  of  publica- 
tions supported  by  the  owners  of  Short-horns  of  all  strains, 
should  aid  in  keeping  up  this  mania  is  a  matter  we  cannot  com- 
prehend. For  our  own  part  we  mean  in  the  future,  as  in  the  past, 
to  keep  clear  of  this  mania.  While  admitting,  as  we  always  have, 
the  high  excellence  of  these  rival  stocks  we  shall  insist  that  they 
are  not  superior  in  blood  or  in  valuable  characteristics  to  the 
cattle  of  other  good  breeders,  and  that  those,  therefore,  who  claim 
for  them  this  pre-eminent  superiority  are  misleading  the  public 
and  unjustly  depreciating  the  value  of  other  Short-horns." 

This  is  the  first  time  we  find  any  public  editorial 
condemnation  of  the  tendency  of  the  times  in  Short- 


AN  ERA  OF  EXPANSION  409 

horn  breeding  circles,  a  fact  which  indicates  clearly 
that  the  rank  and  file  of  American  Short-horn  breed- 
ers were  beginning  to  grow  restive  under  the  con- 
stant and  usually  arrogant  assumptions  of  superior- 
ity indulged  in  by  the  dealers  in  the  ''fashionable'' 
strains  of  that  day. 


CHAPTER  XV 
THE  SENSATION  OF  SEVENTY-THREE 

The  year  1873  dawned  witli  the  breed  basking  in 
the  sunshine  of  a  popularity  such  as  no  other  variety 
of  improved  live  stock  has  ever  enjoyed.  The  wealth 
of  the  cattle-breeding  world  was  now  ready  to  be 
poured  at  the  feet  of  the  Short-horn.  Notwithstand 
ing  the  internal  dissensions  noted  in  the  preceding 
chapter,  agricultural  history  has  no  parallel  to  the 
enthusiasm  and  boundless  devotion  displayed  by  the 
followers  of  the  "red,  white  and  roan''  during  this 
and  the  years  immediately  succeeding.  The  beauty 
and  practical  utility  of  the  breed  had  captivated  the 
great  landed  proprietors  of  both  hemispheres,  as 
well  as  the  farmers  and  feeders  of  both  continents; 
and  under  the  stimulus  of  a  demand  almost  world- 
wide in  its  character  those  who  had  the  means  to 
gratify  their  taste  for  rare  specimens  of  the  breed 
were  forced  to  measure  values  not  so  much  by  the 
mere  intrinsic  worth  of  individual  animals  for  the 
feed-lot  or  the  dairy  as  by  the  degree  of  personal  sat- 
isfaction flowing  from  the  ownership  of  Short-horns 
of  illustrious  lineage  or  bearing  the  badge  of  show- 
yard  superiority. 

It  is  true  there  were   certain   parties  identified 
with  the  trade  who  were  engaged  in  promoting  pub- 

410 


THE  SEXSATIOX  OF  SEVEXTY-THKEE  411 

lie  interest  from  purely  mercenary  motives.  Such 
individuals  did  what  they  could,  of  course,  to  add 
fuel  to  the  fire,  but  it  goes  without  saying  that  their 
utmost  efforts  would  have  been  wholly  unavailing 
but  for  the  existence  of  an  abiding  appreciation  of 
the  breed  upon  both  sides  the  Atlantic,  which  was 
as  profound  as  it  was  widespread  and  persistent. 
It  therefore  came  to  pass  at  this  period  that  those 
who  sought  what  they  regarded  as  the  most  desir- 
able cattle  of  the  breed  were  compelled  to  pay  ex- 
orbitant and  finally  fabulous  prices;  but  the  mere 
fact  that  breeders  and  fanciers  were  willing  to  fol 
low  their  favorites  to  the  amazing  figures  quoted  in 
the  following  pages  is  in  itself  a  tribute  to  the  fas- 
cinating character  of  the  Short-horn  such  as  no  other 
race  of  domestic  animals  has  ever  yet  received. 

''Coming  events  cast  their  shadows  before.'- 
While  it  was  not  until  the  autumn  of  1873  that  the 
pent-up  enthusiasm  for  the  Duchess  blood  was  at 
length  unchained,  transactions  both  at  auction  and 
at  private  treaty  forecasted  portentous  events  early 
in  the  year.     Trade  opened  up  briskly  in  the  West. 

Spring  sales  1873.— At  the  Parks*  and  Murray 
sales,  in  April,  Col.  James  W.  Judy  as  auctioneer 

*Messrs  C.  C.  &  R.  H.  Parks  were  Wall  street  brokers,  and  had  for- 
merly resided  at  Waukegan.  After  acquiring  possession  of  the  Glen 
^lora  Farm  they  soon  decided  upon  stocking  it  with  pedigreed  cattle 
horses  and  sheep.  Their  attention  was  drawn  to  Short-horns  through 
the  herd  that  Mr.  W.  B.  Dodge  had  established  at  Waukegan.  Their 
first  investment  was  in  1869.  when  they  bought  five  heifers,  bv  Minister 
6oo3  of  W  R.  Duncan  for  $2,000.  They  bought  Ladv  of  Racine,  a 
daughter  of  Lady  of  Clark,  famous  in  Ohio  Short-horn  history  from 
Mr.  Dodge  and  sold  her  to  George  Murray  for  $4,000.  This  transaction 
we  believe,  occurred  while  the  parties  were  in  attendance  at  the  McMil- 


412  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HOK}^    CATTLE 

disposed  of  twenty-four  females  for  the  former  at 
an  average  of  $783,  and  thirty-two  for  Mr.  Murray 
at  an  average  of  $848.  Of  the  Glen  Flora  (Parks) 
lot  Messrs.  Sodowsky  took  the  two  imported  cows 
Countess  of  Oxford  and  Henrietta  at  $2,000  each. 
D.  M.  Flynn  of  Des  Moines,  la.,  bought  Moss  Eose 
at  $1,610,  and  A.  H.  &  I.  B.  Day  of  Utica,  la.,  took 
imp.  Lady  Brough  at  $1,680.  Elliott  &  Kent  of  Des 
Moines  secured  imp.  Frill  at  $1,050.  Sodowsky 
bought  imp.  Scotsman  10951,  of  Lyndale  fame,  at 
$1,000.  Scotsman  was  a  roan  of  the  Duke  of  Buc- 
clench's  breeding,  and  it  is  of  interest  to  note  in 
passing  that  he  w^as  a  half-brother  to  the  dam  of 
the  afterward  famous  Duke  of  Richmond,  so  cele- 
brated in  the  herd  of  J.  H.  Potts  &  Son.  At  the 
Murray  sale  A.  B.  Conger  of  New  York  bought  the 
17th  Duke  of  Airdrie  for  $2,300,  and  S.  W.  Jacobs 
of  West  Liberty,  la.,  the  cow  Forest  Queen  at  $1,280. 


Ian  sale.  Messrs.  Parks  hired  the  late  Mr.  John  Hope  as  herdsman  in 
the  spring  of  1870,  and  bought  the  Torr  bull  imp.  Gen.  Napier  from  Col. 
King  with  a  view  toward  showing  at  the  Wisconsin  State  Fair  and  va- 
rious local  shows,  where  they  met  George  Murray,  Messrs.  Brockway 
and  others.  Gen.  Napier  was  a  very  low,  thick,  mellow-fleshed  bull,  and 
one  of  the  very  first  of  his  get  was  the  famous  Jubilee  Napier,  sold  to 
Mr.  Pickrell.  Other  good  ones  were  Miss  Leslie  Napier,  that  went  to 
C.  A.  DeGraff  at  a  high  price,  and  Gem  of  Eryholme,  sold  to  S.  W. 
Jacobs  of  Iowa.  All  of  these  made  great  reputations  and  were  grand 
individual  cattle.  Gen.  Napier  was  afterward  sold  to  Stephen  Dunlap, 
but  realizing  their  mistake  Messrs.  Parks  bought  him  back.  They  pur- 
chased the  entire  herd  of  C.  K.  Ward  of  New  York,  besides  a  number 
of  cattle  from  Messrs,  Lusk,  Wadsworth,  Pratt  and  other  prominent 
Eastern  breeders,  and  were  for  several  years  among  the  most  active  in 
the  American  Short-horn  trade. 

The  Glen  Flora  Herd  that  was  shown  in  the  fall  of  1872  won  some- 
thing over  $2,000  in  prizes  at  Michigan  and  Wisconsin  State  Fairs  and 
the  district  fairs  held  at  Aurora  and  Dixon,  111.  It  included  the  bulls 
imp.  Gen.  Napier,  imp.  Scotsman,  imp.  Baron  Hubback  2d,  and  among 
the  females  were  the  champion  cow  imp.  Henrietta,  imp.  Ruberta,  imp. 
Lady  Brough,  shown  as  a  two-year-old  :  Miss  Leslie,  Pattie  Moore,  Miss 
Leslie  Napier,  and  the  calf  3d  Gem  of  Eryholme.  This  was  a  strong  lot, 
admirably  fitted. 


THE  SENSATIOX  OF  SEVEXTY-THEEp  413 

Gen.  Sol  Meredith  of  Indiana  gave  $1,325  for  Va- 
leria; S.  W.  Jacobs  $1,350  for  3d  Lonau  of  Slauson- 
dale;  William  Stewart  of  Taylor,  111.,  $1,700  for  2d 
Lady  of  Bacine  and  $1,400  for  Mazurka  20tb,  and 
G.  W.  Gaines  of  Ridge  Farm  $1,775  for  Mazurka  23d. 
W.  B.  Dodge  of  Waukegan  sold  a  lot  at  the  same 
time  at  high  prices,  G.  J.  Hagerty  of  Ohio  paying 
$1,010  for  Elsie,  and  Elliott  &  Kent  $1,000  for  Ma- 
zurka of  Woodlawn. 

In  May  of  this  year  Col.  King  sold  ten  head  to 
AVilliam  S.  Chapman  and  J.  D.  Carr  of  California  for 
$10,000,  including  the  prize  bull  Old  Sam  10551. 

Dunmore's  big  deal.— Meantime  Lord  Dunmore 
closed  a  trade  with  the  Hon.  M.  H.  Cochrane  for  ten 
head  of  Bates-bred  cattle  for  $50,000.  This  lot  in- 
cluded 6th  Duke  of  Geneva,  Duchesses  97th,  101st 
and  103d,  one  Waterloo  and  five  Wild  Eyes.  Duch- 
ess 97th  at  the  time  of  this  sale  to  Dunmore  was  at 
Walcott  &  Campbell 's,  being  bred  to  the  2d  Duke  of 
Oneida.  Duchess  103d  died  at  Hillhurst  before  the 
order  was  filled. 

Summer  sales.— In  July  Edward  lies  sold  imp. 
Cherub  11505  at  auction  at  Springfield  for  $6,000 
to  J.  H.  Spears  of  Tallula,  111.,*  and  at  the  same 
sale  Gen.  Meredith  paid  $2,000  for  Joan  of  Arc, 
$1,650  for  Royal  Duchess  2d,  $1,200  for  Royal  Duch- 
ess 3d  and  $2,200  for  two  Louans;  Henry  Clark  of 

*  Cherub  was  bred  by  Lord  Sudeley  of  Gloucestershire,  Eng.,  and  was 
got  by  Baron  Booth  (21212),  sire  of  imp.  Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster,  out 
of  Seraphina  13th  by  John  o'  Gaunt  (16322).  He  was  imported  by 
Cochrane,  who  sold  him  to  lies. 


414  A.  HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HORNT    CATTLE 

Missouri  $1,000  for  Anna  Boleyn;  S.  C.  Duncan  of 
same  State  $1,100  for  Florence;  J.  H.  Kissinger 
$1,000  for  Prairie  Blossom,  and  W.  R.  Duncan  $1,000 
for  Baroness  Bates  3d.  About  the  same  time  Wil- 
liam Stewart  of  Franklin  Grove,  111.,  sold  a  lot  at 
an  average  of  $540,  chiefly  notable  now  from  the 
fact  that  it  contained  the  first  specimen  of  the  breed- 
ing of  Mr.  Amos  Cruickshank  of  Sittyton,  Aberdeen- 
shire, Scotland,  to  pass  through  the  sale-ring  in  the 
West  since  the  Illinois  Importing  Co.'s  sale  of  1857, 
viz.:  the  show  cow  Violet's  Forth,  bought  by  J.  H. 
Spears  for  $1,525.  George  Otley  gave  $1,000  at  this 
sale  for  Dove  6th.  On  June  25  J.  H.  Kissinger  held 
a  sale  that  averaged  $540  on  the  females,  the  "top" 
of  which  was  Illustrious  3d  at  $2,050, to  T.  W.  Gar- 
rard of  Missouri.  This  was  one  of  the  best  cows  of 
her  time — a  red-roan,  bred  by  James  N.  Brown's 
Sons  and  sired  by  the  Roan  Duchess  bull  Gallant 
Duke  6749  from  a  cow  descending  from  imp.  Illus- 
trious by  Emperor.  She  was  five  years  old  at  the 
time  of  this  sale.  J.  H.  Spears  bought  the  Pomona 
show  cow  Phoebe  Taylor  for  $1,500  and  Mr.  Pickrell 
the  red  Beauty  by  De  Vaux  cow  Farina  2d,  also  a 
noted  prize-taker,  at  the  same  figure.  The  Daisy 
(by  Wild)  show  bull  Duke  of  Airdrie  9800  went  to 
H.  Clark  of  Missouri  at  $1,000.  At  Dr.  A.  C.  Steven- 
son's sale  at  Greencastle,  Ind.,  Aug.  13,  $1,000  was 
paid  by  J.  Bridges,  Bainbridge,  Ind.,  for  Stevenson's 
28th  and  $1,100  by  same  party  for  Stevenson's  37th. 
At  R.  R.  Seymour's  sale  at  Chillicothe,  0.,  a  half- 


THE  SENSATION  OF  SEVENTY-THKEE  415 

interest  in  3d  Duke  of  Oneida  sold  for  $3,300  to  John 
Montgomery,  Licking,  0.  At  R.  H.  Prewitt's  sale  at 
Pine  Grove,  Ky.,  July  31,  Gen.  Meredith  gave  $2,800 
for  the  Booth  bull  imp.  Forest  Napier  11973,  At 
Winchester,  Ky.,  Aug.  1,  at  a  sale  conducted  by 
Capt.  P.  C.  Kidd  for  the  estate  of  Lewis  Hampton, 
$3,300  was  paid  by  B.  B.  Groom  for  Mazurka  Belle 
and  $3,150  by  same  party  for  Lady  Pawlett.  At  the 
same  sale  Geneva  Lad  10129  w^ent  to  A.  H.  Hampton 
at  $1,850,  the  cow  Mazurka  Belle  2d  to  Hon.  T.  J. 
Megibben  at  $2,050,  Annie  Laura  to  8.  F.  Lockridge, 
Greencastle,  Ind.,  for  $1,000,  the  bull  Mazurka  Lad 
15928  to  J.  V.  Grigsby  at  $1,400,  and  the  bull  Ma- 
zurka Duke  2d  15927  to  Mr.  W.  Yoorhies  of  Illinois 
at  $1,225.  Abram  Van  Meter  sold  at  Winchester, 
Ky.,  Aug.  2  and  received  $2,000  from  R.  H.  Prewitt 
for  Forest  Queen,  $1,010  from  John  Grigsby  for 
Forest  Beauty  and  $1,000  from  the  same  buyer  for 
May  Cadenza.  On  Aug.  5  George  M.  Bedford  made 
an  average  of  $849  on  twenty-seven  females,  receiv- 
ing for  5th  Duchess  Louan  $3,575,  for  23d  Duchess 
of  Goodness  $2,950,  for  22d  of  same  name  $1,000,  for 
the  21st  $1,025— all  to  local  buyers— and  for  9th 
Duke  of  Goodness  11736  $4,500  from  Strawn  &  Lewis 
of  Ottawa,  111.  At  James  Hall's  sale  at  Paris,  Ky., 
Aug.  6,  S.  F.  Lockridge  gave  $1,060  for  Sarah  Rice 
5th.  At  Silver  Lake,  Kan.,  on  Aug.  20  the  State 
Agricultural  College  paid  Andrew  Wilson  $1,050 
and  $900  respectively  for  a  pair  of  Young  Marys — 
Grace  Youngs  4th  and  5th. 


416  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

While  these  sales  serve  to  indicate  the  prevailing 
furore  as  evidenced  around  the  auction  block,  lead- 
ing breeders  were  making  important  private  trans- 
fers. Leney  took  to  England  from  New  York  Mills 
10th  Maid  of  Oxford  and  6th  Duke  of  Oneida.  A.  J. 
Alexander  sold  15th  Duchess  of  Airdrie  for  export 
to  Cheney  at  $10,000 !  J .  H.  Pickrell  while  attending 
the  Kentucky  sales  bought  the  famous  Booth  bull 
Breastplate  11195  from  Prewitt  for  $6,250.  George 
Murray  bought  11th  Duke  of  Geneva  9843  from 
George  M.  Bedford  at  a  reported  price  of  $10,000. 
The  bull  had  been  bought  by  Mr.  Bedford  at  Hughes 
&  Richardson's  sale  of  1872  for  $6,000.  Richard 
Gibson  exported  a  half-dozen  females  of  the  Frantic 
or  Fletcher  Bell-Bates  sort,  a  Kirklevington  cow  and 
two  Princesses,  and  sent  word  back  from  England 
that  at  Cheney's  sale  the  9th  Duke  of  Geneva's 
heifers  averaged  over  $2,000  each!  The  pot  was 
boiling  furiously  on  both  sides  the  Atlantic  and— 
then  came  the  deluge. 

New  York  Mills  dispersion.— Hon.  Samuel  Camp- 
bell, after  acquiring  the  interest  of  his  partner  (Mr. 
Walcott)  in  the  Duchesses  and  other  Short-horns  at 
New  York  Mills  was  now  ready  for  the  coup  toward 
which  the  events  detailed  in  the  foregoing  pages  had 
all  been  tending,  to-wit:  the  closing  out  of  the  entire 
herd  at  auction.  The  10th  of  September,  1873,  was 
the  day  set  for  the  event.  John  R.  Page,  Sennett, 
N  Y.,  was  engaged  as  auctioneer  and  Mr.  Carr  of 
England  was  asked  to  write  up  the  herd  on  the 


THE  SENSATION  OF  SEVENTY-THREE  417 

other  side  of  the  water  for  a  consideration  of  11/2 
per  cent  of  the  gross  receipts.  H.  Strafford,  the  cele- 
brated English  auctioneer  and  editor  of  the  English 
Herd  Book,  was  corresponded  with.  He  was  to  sell 
the  Duchesses  for  a  fee  of  1,000  guineas!  He  pub- 
lished a  sale  catalogue  of  the  Duchesses  and  Ox- 
fords. Page  announced:  ''I  have  the  sale  and  shall 
be  pleased  to  see  Mr.  Strafford  and  have  his  assist- 
ance, but  he  will  sell  what  I  choose  to  assign  him. 
I  am  the  auctioneer."  The  Carr  episode  led  to  a 
long  and  heated  newspaper  controversy,  in  the 
course  of  which  BelVs  Messenger  of  London  said: 
''The  words  quoted  by  Mr.  Carr  mean  that  when  he 
offered  to  Mr.  Campbell  as  a  salable  commodity  his 
influence  with  British  Short-horn  buyers  and  Mr. 
Campbell  agreed  to  accept  it  at  a  price  both  Mr. 
Campbell  and  Mr.  Carr  (on  their  own  showing)  were 
guilty  of  disgraceful  traffic  in  public  confidence.'' 
All  of  which  served  as  capital  advertising. 

There  were  now  no  Duchesses  living  on  either  side 
the  Atlantic  descended  direct  from  Mr.  Bates'  herd, 
without  admixture  of  blood  from  other  sources,  save 
those  at  New  York  Mills,  and  they  were  all  derived 
from  Duchess  66th.*     Just  why  this  should  have 

*The  leading  outcrosses  on  the  Duchesses  came  through  2d  Duke  of 
Athol  (11376)  into  the  Duchesses  of  Airdrie,  through  Usurer  (9763)  into 
the  Enghsh  Duchesses,  throv;gh  Imperial  Oxford  4905,  Prince  Imperial 
(15095)  and  2d  Duke  of  Bolton  (12739)  into  the  Grand  Duchesses,  and 
through  Grand  Turk  (12969)  into  some  of  the  Dukes  of  Thorndale.  Out- 
crosses put  upon  the  Oxfords  included  Romeo  (13619)  and  his  sons  Ox- 
ford Lad  4220  and  Imperial  Oxford  4905  ;  Marquis  of  Carrabas  (11789), 
bred  by  Fawkes,  and  Lamartine  (11662),  bred  by  J.  M.  Sherwood.  Im- 
perial Duke  (18083),  that  was  half-Duchess  and  half-Knightley,  had 
also  been  introduced  into  some  of  the  Duchess  and  Oxford  pedigrees. 


418  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-PIORNT    CATTLE 

made  the  Mills  cattle  so  much  more  precious  than 
their  distinguished  relatives  is  not  apparent  at  this 
time,  especially  in  view  of  the  freedom  with  which 
Mr.  Bates  had  outcrossed  the  family  during  his  life- 
time, except  upon  the  hypothesis  that  all  skill  and 
judgment  in  mating  cattle  perished  with  the  founder 
of  the  tribe.  As  a  matter  of  fact  evidence  was  not 
wanting  that  this  very  element  of  "purity'^  carried 
with  it  the  seeds  of  danger.  At  the  time  Gibson 
severed  his  connection  with  the  herd*  it  was  of  high 
average  merit,  but  it  had  been  culled  freely  and  han- 
dled with  consummate  judgment.  The  desire  to 
possess  the  ''pure"  blood,  regardless  of  all  other 
considerations,  had  taken  firm  hold  upon  those  who 
considered  that  the  Duchesses  as  Bates  had  left  them 


*  "Richard  Gibson,  speaking  of  the  sale,  says:  "The  question  of  the 
hour  was  not  what  the  average  would  be  but  what  would  a  Duchess 
bring?  Some  were  sanguine  enough  to  place  the  figure  at  $20,000.  In 
the  morning  the  tension  was  something  terrific,  and  as  the  time  to  com- 
mence drew  near  little  coteries  were  beginning  to  bunch  together,  Ken- 
tucky's tall  sons  to  the  northwest  of  the  ring,  the  English  visitors  on  the 
southwest,  while  the  others  were  promiscuously  seated  in  the  stand. 
Kello,  the  incomprehensible,  was  alone  away  from  all  the  rest,  fearful  to 
mix  with  these  dreaded  Yankees  lest  they  should  steal  not  his  purse  but 
his  thoughts  and  intentions.  During  the  forenoon  W.  R.  Duncan  had 
approached  Mr.  Campbell,  saying :  'I  apprehend,  sir,  you  ai'e  aware  that 
Mr.  Page  can't  sell  this  bunch  of  cattle  in  one  day.' 

"Mr.  Campbell  posted  off  to  Page  and  said :  'I  hope  you  will  not  at- 
tempt to  sell  all  these  cattle  in  one  day.'  -I  shall,'  replied  Page.  'Then 
sir,  I  shall  consider  that  you  are  sacrificing  my  property,'  was  Camp- 
bell's rejoinder.  'May  I  take  the  bids  as  fast  as  they  come?'  asked  the 
auctioneer. 

"On  a  watering  trough  in  the  center  of  a  ring  Mr.  Page  took  his 
stand.  The  proverbial  pin  could  have  been  heard  to  drop.  The  excite- 
ment at  this  moment  was  intense  ;  not  noisy  or  boisterous,  but  for  two 
or  three  davs  the  tension  had  gradually  been  increasing.  There  was  the 
keenest  anxiety  as  to  what  the  Englishmen  w€re  after,  and  a  determi- 
nation to  prevent  them  from  taking  all  the  best.  Mr.  Page  gauged  the 
feeling  of  his  company.  Thev  had  not  come,  some  of  them  over  three 
thousand  miles,  to  hear  a  lot  of  Cheap  John  spread-eagleism,  but  for 
business.  He  said :  'Gentlemen,  please  give  me  your  attention  and  I 
will  read  the  conditions  of  this  sale.'  The  2d  Duke  of  Oneida  was 
brought  into  the  ring  while  he  was  reading  them.  'Will  anyone  make 
me  an  offer  on  the  bull?'  were  the  opening  words.  'Ten  thousand  dol- 
lars,' came  the  answer  from  the  Kentuckians,  and  so  the  sale  began." 


THE  SENSATION  OP  SEVENTY-THREE  419 

constituted  the  creme  de  la  creme  of  the  Short-horn 
breed.    The  National  pride  of  the  English  breeders 
was  appealed  to  with  success.    America  had  taken 
from  the  mother-land  what  many  of  the  Britons 
esteemed  as  the  highest  single  source  of  Short-horn 
excellence.     Hence  they  came  to  New  York  Mills 
prepared  to  heap  their  golden  guineas  high  against 
American  dollars.    History  has  long  since  character- 
ized this  as  a  day  of  monumental  folly,  but  as  the 
event  stands  out  in  bold  relief  as  the  crowning  sen- 
sation of  the  century  in  the  realm  of  stock-breeding 
it  therefore  demands  adequate  record  in  these  pages 
Some  idea  of  the  nature  of  the  scene  may  be  gleaned 
from  the  following  notes  made  by  an  eve  witness— 
the  late  George  W.  Rust,  whose  library  and  manu- 
scripts were  acquired  by  purchase  by  the  author 
many  years  ago: 

The  Duchesses  of  course  formed  the  attractive  feature  of  this 
sale;  and  in  the  lobbies  at  the  hotels,  which  were  thronged  with 
breeders,  from  all  parts  of  this  country,  and  a  liberal  representa- 
tion of  English  breeders,  speculation  was  rife  as  to  the  prices 
which  would  be  realized.     It  was  rumored  that  the  Englishmen 
(with  the  exception  of  Mr.  Kello,  who  represented  Mr   R    Pavin 
Davies,  with  whom  the  other  English  gentlemen  refused  to  enter 
into  any  arrangement)  had  a  private  understanding  as  to  which 
animal  each  person  would  bid  upon,  the  others  agreeing  not  to 
compete  with  their  countrymen  in  these  cases,  and  that  Earl  Bec- 
tive's  representative  had  brought  £13,000    (about  $70,000)    with 
him,  and  it  began  to  be  whispered  that  some  of  the  females  would 
bring  as  high  as  $15,000  each.    This  seemed  like  a  fabulous  price 
however;  and  as  every  one  took  great  pains  to  conceal  his  own  in- 
tentions there  were  many  persons  loth  to  believe  that  this  much 
was  to  be  paid,  and  the  probability  of  $15,000  being  paid  for  a 
single  animal  on  the  morrow  was  the  staple  subject  of  discussion 


420  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

as  long  as  the  lobbies  contained  any  people.  Gradually  they 
thinned  out,  and  soon  after  midnight  they  were  entirely  deserted 
and  Short-horns  and  Duchesses  passed  out  of  mind,  save  as  the 
anxious  ones  painted  and  pictured  them  in  their  dreams.  With 
the  earliest  streak  of  dawn  the  hotel  lobbies  began  to  fill,  and  the 
probable  events  of  the  day  engaged  the  attention  of  all.  Before 
the  breakfast  hour  had  passed  it  was  evident  something  new  and 
startling  had  been  discovered;  and  soon  it  was  whispered  that  a 
delegation  from  Clark  Co.,  Ky.,  was  present  with  $60,000,  which 
had  been  raised  for  the  purchase  of  three  females,  and  the  proba- 
bility of  $20,000  being  paid  formed  the  subject  of  eager  discus- 
sion. The  sum  seemed  so  enormous,  however,  that  few  believed 
it,  although  the  minds  of  all  were  in  a  measure  prepared  for  such 
an  event. 

By  10  o'clock  the  hotels  were  deserted  and  the  crowds  had 
transferred  themselves  to  the  Mills,  where  they  thronged  the 
stables  or  gathered  in  excited  groups  about  the  ample  grounds. 
At  1  o'clock  Mr.  Page  announced  the  sale.  Those  in  attendance 
had  gathered  upon  the  stand  with  seats  ranged  one  above  an- 
other, and  the  reporters  and  clerks  sharpened  their  pencils  at  the 
tables.    The  first  animal  led  into  the  ring  was  the 

2d  Duke  of  Oneida,  a  deep  red,  calved  Aug.  3,  1870,  got  by  4th 
Duke  of  Geneva  7931  out  of  13th  Duchess  of  Thorndale  by  10th 
Duke  of  Thorndale  (28458).  Mr.  Alexander  of  Kentucky  wanted 
him,  as  did  Mr.  T.  J.  Megibben  of  the  same  State,  and  negotiations 
had  been  pending  between  them  all  the  morning  looking  to  the 
transfer  to  Mr.  Megibben  of  Mr.  Alexander's  Duke  of  Airdrie, 
which,  if  they  had  proved  successful,  would  have  taken  Mr. 
Megibben  out  of  the  competition  and  brought  Mr.  Alexander  in. 
These  negotiations,  however,  were  not  successful,  in  consequence 
of  the  price  demanded  by  Mr.  Alexander;  and  making  a  final  un- 
successful effort  to  reconcile  their  differences,  while  the  auc- 
tioneer was  making  his  preliminary  remarks,  Mr.  Megibben 
started  the  bull  at  $10,000.  The  English  gentlemen  were  gath- 
ered in  a  little  knot  at  the  left  of  the  auctioneer  and  wanted 
the  bull  also,  and  the  opening  bid  fell  among  them  like  a  bomb- 
shell and  gave  them  the  first  intimation  of  the  character  and 
nerve  of  the  gentlemen  who  were  to  contest  with  them  the 
honors  of  the  day.  "Eleven  thousand  dollars"  was  said  by  one 
of  them  in  an  agitated  voice,  so  uncertain  and  tremulous  that 


THE  SENSATION  OF  SEVENTY-THEEE  421 

Mr.  Page  for  the  moment  was  uncertain  whether  the  bidder 
meant  it  or  not,  and  then  their  heads  were  laid  together  in  anx- 
ious consultation,  A  number  of  Kentuckians  also  gathered  around 
Mr,  Megibben,  and  on  both  sides  of  the  ring  there  was  a  group  of 
anxious  faces,  "With  those  around  him  Mr.  Megibben  made  a 
private  arrangement  for  the  service  of  the  bull  in  case  he  fell  to 
him,  and  to  carry  him  (as  we  afterward  learned)  past  $17,000  be- 
fore surrendering  him.  As  the  group  of  Kentuckians  separated 
Mr.  Megibben  raised  the  bid  to  $12,000,  and  still  the  Englishmen 
consulted.  It  was  evident  they  wanted  the  bull;  but  the  females 
were  more  valuable,  and  they  were  of  the  opinion  that  if  they  ad- 
vanced the  price  of  him  to  the  point  to  which  the  Kentuckians 
were  prepared  to  go  the  price  of  the  females  might  be  correspond- 
ingly advanced,  and  perhaps  put  altogether  beyond  their  reach. 
Their  minds  were  quickly  made  up  on  this  point,  and  the  2d  Duke 
of  Oneida  was  knocked  off  to  Mr.  Megibben  at  $12,000,  the  highest 
price  ever  paid  to  that  moment  for  a  Short-horn.  Then  the  cheers 
rose,  peal  on  peal,  and  the  more  distant  seats  of  the  stand  were 
deserted  and  their  occupants  gathered  closer  to  the  scene  and 
clustered  like  bees  around  the  auctioneer. 

1st  Duchess  of  Oneida  was  then  led  in.  She  was  a  red-and- 
white,  calved  Jan.  24,  1870,  got  by  10th  Duke  of  Thorndale  (28458) 
out  of  8th  Duchess  of  Geneva  by  3d  Lord  of  Oxford  (22200),  and 
in  calf  since  Dec.  10  to  2d  Duke  of  Oneida,  The  Clark  Co.  (Ky.) 
combination  started  her  at  once  at  $15,000,  which  Lord  Skelmers- 
dale  of  England  raised  at  once  to  $30,000,  shutting  out  a  bid  of 
$25,000  proffered  by  Mr.  George  Murray  of  Racine,  Wis.  His  Lord- 
ship was  evidently  informed  that  the  Clark  County  gentlemen 
had  brought  $60,000  for  the  purpose  of  buying  three,  and  his  bid 
called  upon  them  to  place  the  half  of  it  on  the  head  of  a  single 
animal.  This  took  them  by  surprise,  and  to  gain  a  moment's 
time  for  reflection  they  interposed  an  additional  bid  of  $100, 
upon  which  his  Lordship  promptly  placed  another  $100.  The 
Kentuckians  concluded  to  follow  her  no  further,  and  then  Mr, 
Kello,  the  representative  of  Mr.  Davies  of  England,  advanced  the 
$200  bid  to  $300,  which  Lord  S.  promptly  made  $400.  Mr.  Kello 
and  Mr.  Brodhead  (the  representative  of  Mr.  Alexander),  who 
were  quietly  smoking  in  the  rear  of  the  English  party,  which  by 
this  time  had  gathered  inside  the  fence,  bid  $500  simultaneously, 
and  $30,600  was  his  Lordship's  response.    All  were  now  done  and 


422  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

she  was  quickly  knocked  off  to  him  on  this  bid.  Considering  her 
age  and  that  she  is  almost  at  the  calving  she  was  one  of  the  best 
bargains  of  all  the  Duchesses.  Thirty  thousand  dollars;  it  seemed 
incredible,  and  for  a  few  moments  none  could  realize  it;  but  in 
a  short  time  it  seemed  to  break  upon  the  minds  of  all  and  such 
a  scene  of  excitement  was  never  witnessed  before.  Men  shouted 
themselves  hoarse  and  hats  were  waved  and  flung  wildly  into  the 
air  on  all  sides,  and  several  minutes  elapsed  before  order  could 
be  restored  and  the  ring  cleared  for  the  entrance  of  her  calf,  the 

7th  Duchess  of  Oneida,  a  red-and-white,  calved  Aug.  1,  1872,  by 
2d  Duke  of  Oneida  9926  out  of  1st  Duchess  of  Oneida  by  10th  Duke 
of  Thorndale  (28458).  The  audience  began  to  feel  the  reaction 
Vv'hich  follows  every  unusual  excitement  and  to  repent  of  such  ex- 
treme figures.  She  was  led  around  the  ring  and  not  a  bid;  the 
contestants  eyeing  each  other  from  all  sides,  as  if  striving  to 
master  each  other's  intentions.  Finally  Col.  King  started  her  at 
$5,000  and  the  ball  opened— $7,000,  $8,000  by  two,  $10,000  by  two, 
$11,000  by  two,  $12,000  by  two,  followed  in  such  rapid  succession 
that  it  was  impossible  to  see  from  whom  the  bids  came.  "Twelve 
thousand  five  hundred  makes  it  my  bid,"  came  from  Mr.  Brod- 
head,  which  the  Englishmen  in  his  front  promptly  raised  to  $13,- 
000.  From  the  further  side  of  the  ring  Mr.  E.  G.  Bedford  of  Ken- 
tucky interposed  another  $500,  which  the  Englishmen  made  $14,- 
000,  only  to  elicit  an  additional  $500  when  it  came  to  Mr.  Brod- 
head's  turn.  Mr.  Bedford,  who  had  crowded  to  the  front,  now 
saw  between  whom  the  competition  lay  and  shook  his  head,  as  a 
token  that  he  would  not  interfere,  and  $500  bids  followed  until 
the  calf  was  declared  the  property  of  Mr.  Alexander  at  $19,000. 
The  audience,  who  began  to  fear  from  the  sale  of  the  dam  that 
the  English  gentlemen  were  determined  to  have  them  all,  greeted 
Mr.  Brodhead's  victory  with  the  most  rapturous  applause.  The 
next  animal  to  come  under  Mr.  Page's  hammer  was  the 

10th  Duchess  of  Geneva,  a  roan,  calved  May  15,  1867,  got  by  2d 
Duke  of  Geneva  (23752)  out  of  5th  Duchess  of  Geneva  by  Grand 
Duke  of  Oxford  (16184),  in  calf  since  March  30  to  2d  Duke  of 
Oneida.  Col.  Morris  of  New  York  led  off  with  $5,000,  which  Col. 
King  of  Minnesota  raised  to  $10,000.  Mr.  Kello  advanced  the  fig- 
ure to  $15,000  for  Mr.  Davies,  and  Mr.  Berwick  for  Earl  Bective 
made  it  $20,000,  when  it  was  very  evident  there  was  to  be  such  a 
trial  of  nerve  as  had  not  before  been  witnessed.    One  of  the  Ken- 


THE  SEXSATIOX  OP  SEVENTY-THEEE  423 

doBe."  and  started  to  leave  the  ring     H     En.litrf    '.    '   ""^ 
ever,  rallied  him,  and  he  exclaimed  fn  „  ^  .  "*'°'^^'  ''°^- 

thousand  dollars-  how  nZt  f  Lt  in  ,7';  'r^-^^^'  "^'^^ 
pushed  him  again  to  the  front  exclamL-r'  °°'  "'  "^^'^ 
afterward!"  but  not  until  Mr!  Kel lo  hid  talfen^T'  ?'  '"""'  " 
excitement  to  raise  the  price  to  $30  son  ''J^<^°J"^™°f«Se  of  his 
With  $31,000,  Mr  Kello  litl  i^J  l!  i  ,^'"-  ^"'^'"^  ■•^'"■•°<'<J 
$500,  With  no  other  effectThan  to  hf  ""'■  '''^™'<='^  ^^'^^^  '« 
$32,000.  Mr.  Ber:i:"rem:."  h  "n^etur  h;^:^ ^1^.  ^  "'d  "^ 
turbed  manner  and  added  another  $1,00     makL  $33  on      '  U' 

response.     Mr   Berwick  nnt  nn  u         ^      '     ^^^  ^^-  ^^"^'s 

Kello.  iiag  and  ra^Lreelrrer'^mrdol^r^^Cf  "^• 
■cans,  who  had  not  made  a  bid  after  the  T^onT    ^  """"" 

dently  feeling  they  ha^/aTd  dear  f    "thT  vi^rv'  f'•-.^^-'- 
glee  that  they  had  won  it     Of  L,       7k  ^'      "'■''  '°  '"^h 

never  be  equaled  agarand  ^^ ZZ'^tuT''  ^""''' 
to  various  expressions  of  astonishment.VhTernertoXr: 

s./r:d"^b:,^°r;K^lV"ls?rzr^[h '-''-  -- 

OOo"'ILe  n  Z  rd'^fs^OothTbr  '"''''''''  '"^'^''^  '» "" 
she  finally  passed  ttfs  nl     f  ^        '  '''"■'  ""'^"^  ''"'  ^■"^"-  "ut 

EarlBectL''at"$15:3no^rnrmeThV""  '"  ^'^^  ^''^''^  '" 
lOth^^u.fjf'-^LlIltT^sl'sVo^^t'oTlrhD^        "■  ^^"'  -'  ^^ 

rhe!irwi°tt:era:^'ooTHr  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

by  Col.  K*ng.  Mr  A  B  Con  "  .  ?'''""'  ""'^'^  "^  "^-"led 
$1,000,  and  fl,oorbids  folio':  d'^urilTl^.l^''^^^'"'"'- 
to  he  the  property  of  Mr.  Conger  a't  $15    0  ."'Th^  caTe  tt:'^"' 


424  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

4th  Duchess  of  Oneida,  red,  calved  Jan.  17,  1872,  got  by  4th 
Duke  of  Geneva  7931  out  of  13th  Duchess  of  Thorndale  by  10th 
Duke  of  Thorndale  (28458).  She  was  started  by  the  English  party 
and  ran  up  in  two  or  three  bids  to  $10,000,  and  a  few  $500  bids 
sent  her  up  to  $13,000,  which  several  gentlemen  raised  to  $13,500, 
and  Mr.  George  Murray  made  it  $14,000  to  prevent  dispute.  Mr. 
Brodhead  then  signified  his  willingness  to  contend  for  her  by  ad- 
vancing her  $500  more,  and  Mr.  E.  G.  Bedford  advanced  the  fig- 
ure to  $15,000;  and  here  it  seemed  as  if  the  battle  was  over,  for 
Mr.  Brodhead  came  back  with  only  $100.  Mr.  Bedford  responded 
with  another  $100,  Mr.  Brodhead  made  it  $300.  At  this  point  Mr. 
Holford  of  England,  considering  the  Americans  had  about  got 
through,  entered  the  lists  with  a  $200  bid,  and  she  stood  at  $15,- 
500.  Mr.  Brodhead  greeted  his  new  competitor  with  an  additional 
$500  bid,  to  which  the  Englishman  responded  with  a  $1,000, 
making  it  $17,000.  Mr.  Brodhead  promptly  interposed  another 
$100,  and  the  Englishman,  adopting  the  same  tactics,  bid  $100 
more,  and  she  climbed  up  slowly,  $100  at  a  time,  until  Mr.  Brod- 
head had  bid  $17,600,  when  Mr.  Holford,  as  if  hoping  to  shake  off 
the  Kentuckian,  bid  sharply  $18,000.  And  to  show  that  he  could 
not  be  bluffed  by  that  game  Mr.  Brodhead  added  promptly  an- 
other $1,000.  From  $19,000  to  $21,000  the  bids  were  $100  each  in 
most  cases,  and  when  that  point  was  reached  Mr.  Holford,  seeing 
the  Kentuckian  was  in  no  measure  disturbed,  dropped  out  of  the 
contest,  and  Mr.  E.  G.  Bedford  came  forward,  just  as  she  was 
about  to  be  knocked  off,  with  a  $500  bid,  Mr.  Brodhead  respond- 
ing with  a  similar  amount,  and  $500  more  was  bid  by  Mr.  Megib- 
ben,  the  gentleman  who  had  purchased  the  bull,  and  Mr.  Brod- 
head made  it  $23,000,  and,  with  $500  jumps,  she  advanced  to  $25,- 
000,  as  Mr.  Bedford's  bid.  Mr.  Brodhead  then  discovering  that 
it  was  one  of  his  Kentucky  neighbors  who  was  bidding  against 
him  declined  to  go  farther,  and  she  was  knocked  off  at  $25,000  to 
Messrs.  E.  G.  Bedford  and  T.  J.  Megibben  of  Kentucky.  The  an- 
nouncement that  she  was  to  remain  in  this  country  again  made 
the  audience  extremely  demonstrative,  but  when  the 

8th  Duchess  of  Geneva  was  led  into  the  ring  a  tolerable  de- 
gree of  silence  and  order  was  restored.  She  proved  to  be  a  red- 
and- white,  calved  July  28,  1866;  got  by  the  3d  Lord  of  Oxford 
(22200)  out  of  the  1st  Duchess  of  Geneva  by  2d  Grand  Duke 
(12961) ;  served  June  1  by  2d  Duke  of  Oneida.    Being  seven  years 


THE  SENSATION  OF  SEVENTY-THREE  425 

old  and  over,  and  having  produced  nearly  the  full  complement 
of  calves  which  this  family  of  cows  produce  in  this  country,  it 
was  not  expected  that  she  would  sell  so  well  as  some  of  the 
others,  and  Mr.  Kello  doubtless  expected  to  get  her  on  the  first 
bid,  when  he  placed  $10,000  on  her  head.  But  the  other  Eng- 
lish gentlemen  had  agreed  among  themselves  that  Mr.  Kello 
should  not  have  a  Duchess,  and  they  raised  him  at  one  jump  to 
$15,000,  and  the  audience  were  at  once  overcome  by  the  excite- 
ment. $16,000  and  $17,000  were  bid  from  the  stand,  and  then 
$20,000  by  two,  one  of  them  being  Mr.  Kello,  and  some  one  of 
the  English  party  made  it  $25,000.  Mr.  Kello  made  it  $26,000, 
and  his  opponents  $30,000.  Mr.  Kello  added  $1,000  more,  and  his 
bid  was  promptly  raised  to  $32,000.  Then  $33,000  came  from  the 
stand  (from  either  Col.  King,  Col.  Morris,  Mr.  Murray,  or  G.  M. 
Bedford),  and  was  the  highest  American  bid,  and  Mr.  Kello 
raised  that  to  $34,000,  when  the  other  Englishmen  made  it  $36,- 
000.  Mr.  Kello  hesitated,  but  remembering  his  unsuccessful 
contest  for  the  10th  Duchess  of  Geneva,  and  that  his  country- 
men had  combined  to  rule  him  out  altogether  from  this  much- 
coveted  family,  he  determined  to  take  Lord  Skelmersdale's  ad- 
vice to  Mr.  Berwick  and  "&wi/  her,''  and  added  $500,  which 
brought  $37,000  from  his  opponents.  ''Thirty-eight  thousand,'' 
said  Mr.  Kello.  Evidently  thinking  that  one  more  bold  push 
would  crowd  Kello  from  the  course  one  of  them  bid  forty  thou- 
sand dollars!  For  a  moment  Mr.  Kello  faltered,  but  finally 
added  $100.  Here  she  seemed  likely  to  go,  but  Mr.  Berwick 
added  $100  more.  "Forty  thousand  three  hundred  dollars,  just 
in  time,  from  Mr.  Kello."  The  excitement  was  now  so  intense 
that  every  individual  in  that  vast  throng  seemed  to  hold  liis 
breath;  the  silence  was  absolutely  oppressive,  and  broken  only 
by  the  words  of  the  auctioneer  as  he  slowly  repeated:  "Forty — 
thousand  —  three  —  hundred  —  dollars  —  Are  —  you  —  all  — 
done — gentlemen?"  Softly  Simon  Beattie,  with  an  English  order 
in  his  pocket  and  Mr.  Cochrane  at  his  back,  ventured  another 
$100.  "Forty  thousand  four  hundred;  are  you  all  done,  gentle- 
men?" were  the  measured  words  which  alone  broke  the  deathly 
silence.  Reluctant  to  go  farther,  still  more  reluctant  to  yield, 
Mr.  Kello  stood  like  a  statue,  while  every  eye  was  resting  upon 
him,  and  finally  added  $50  more.  ''Five  hundred."  said  Berwick, 
in  a  sharp,  impatient  tone,  as  if  anxious  to  end  in  some  way  the 


426  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

terrible  suspense.  ''Forty  thousand  five  hundred  dollars;  are 
you  all  done?  Once!  Twice!  Six  hundred,  and  in  time,"  and 
she  was  knocked  off  to  Mr.  Kello  for  R.  Pavin  Davies  of  Eng- 
land. One  long  breath  and  then  the  cheers  went  up,  and  the 
thousands  there  seemed  fairly  beside  themselves,  and  the  ex- 
travagant things  which  were  said  and  done  would  fill  a  volume. 
A  few  minutes  were  given  to  allow  people  to  recover  their 
senses,  and  then  the 

10th  Duchess  of  Oneida  was  led  in — a  last  spring's  calf 
(dropped  in  April),  red-and-white,  by  the  2d  Duke  of  Oneida 
out  of  8th  Duchess  of  Geneva  by  3d  Lord  Oxford  (22200).  Be- 
fore order  was  restored  Col.  Morris  of  New  York  started  her 
at  $5,000.  Col.  King  of  Minnesota,  who  sat  beside  him,  made  it 
$10,000;  $11,000  and  $12,000  were  bid,  when  George  M.  Bedford 
of  Kentucky  from  the  seat  behind  put  her  at  $15,000.  Mr.  Rich- 
ard Gibson,  who  had  hurried  home  from  England  to  attend  this 
sale  with  an  order  in  his  pocket,  added  $2,000  more,  and  then 
Mr.  Brodhead,  who  desired  her  to  grace  the  blue  grass  at  Wood- 
burn,  placed  her  at  $18,000,  and  Mr.  Gibson  put  her  at  once  to 
$20,000.  But  this  was  a  game  at  which  two  could  play,  and  Mr. 
Brodhead  advanced  the  figure  to  $22,000,  and  Mr.  Gibson  went 
$2,000  better  still.  Twentj^-five  thousand,  even  money,  seemed 
a  point  hard  to  pass,  and  Mr.  Brodhead,  evidently  thinking  Mr. 
Gibson  would  not  get  over  that  limit,  made  the  bid.  Mr.  Gibson, 
however,  had  another  thousand,  and  Mr.  Brodhead  was  compelled 
to  pay  $27,000  before  he  secured  her.  The  contest  was  a  short 
one,  and  the  announcement  that  the  Englishmen  had  again  failed 
to  capture  a  Duchess  provoked  the  wildest  enthusiasm.     The 

9th  Duchess  of  Oneida,  another  calf  of  the  present  year 
(dropped  March  2),  was  next  led  in.  She  proved  to  be  a  roan 
by  2d  Duke  of  Oneida  9926  out  of  12th  Duchess  of  Thorndale  by 
6th  Duke  of  Thorndale  (23794).  She  had  two  outcrosses  in  her 
pedigree,  the  Romeo  through  the  6th  Duke  of  Thorndale,  and  the 
Imperial  Duke  through  her  second  dam,  and  for  that  reason  per- 
haps, and  because  of  the  natural  reaction  from  the  various  ex- 
citement, did  not  attract  so  much  attention.  She  was  started 
at  $5,000  by  Col.  King  of  Minnesota  and  knocked  off  to  Mr.  Ber- 
wick for  Earl  Bective  on  the  next  bid— $10,000.  She  was  fol- 
lowed by  the 

12th  Duchess  of  Thorndale,  roan,  calved  Oct.  13,  1865,  by  6th 


THE  SEXSATION  OF  SE^^XTY-THEEE  427 

Duke  of  Thorndale  (2S794)  out  of  5th  Duchess  of  Thorndale  by 
Imperial  Duke  (18083),  in  calf  since  April  17  by  2d  Duke  of 
Oneida.  She  had  the  Romeo  and  Imperial  Duke  crosses  in  her 
pedigree,  and  besides  was  eight  years  old  and  her  prime  as  a 
breeder  about  passed,  and  for  this  reason  the  first  bid  was  but 
$500.  This  was  too  cheap,  however,  and  there  was  considerable 
competition  for  her  developed,  and  finally  at  $5,700  she  was 
knocked  off  to  A.  B.  Conger  of  New  York.  As  she  was  led  out 
there  was  led  in  the 

3d  Duchess  of  Oneida,  roan,  calved  March  19,  1871,  by  4th 
Duke  of  Geneva  7931  out  of  8th  Duchess  of  Thorndale  by  3d 
Duke  of  Airdrie  (23717)  through  which  she  gets  the  Lord  George 
outcross,  served  July  Sd  by  4th  Duke  of  Oneida.  She  was  started 
at  $5,000  by  Mr.  Duncan  of  Illinois,  which  was  promptly  doubled 
by  Col.  Morris  of  New  York.  Mr.  Duncan  added  $2,000,  Col. 
King  $1,000,  G.  M.  Bedford  $500,  and  Mr.  Murray  of  Racine  bid 
$14,000.  Then  Mr.  Berwick  of  England  bid  $15,000,  to  which  Mr. 
Brodhead  added  $100.  Mr.  Holford  of  England  then  appeared 
as  a  competitor,  and  finally  secured  her  at  $15,600. 

SUMMARY    OF    HIGHEST    PRICES    AND    AVERAGES. 

8th  Duchess  of  Geneva — R.  Pavin  Davies,  England $40,600 

10th  Duchess  of  Geneva — Earl  Bective,  England 35,000 

1st  Duchess  of  Oneida — Lord  Skelmersdale,  England 30,600 

10th  Duchess  of  Oneida — A.  J.  Alexander,  Kentucky 27,000 

4th  Duchess  of  Oneida— E.  G.  Bedford  and  T.  J.  Megibben, 

Kentucky   25,000 

7th  Duchess  of  Oneida— A.  J.  Alexander 19,000 

3d  Duchess  of  Oneida— T.  Holford,  England 15,600 

8th  Duchess  of  Oneida— Earl  Bective 15,300 

13th  Duchess  of  Thorndale— A.  B.  Conger,  New  York 15,000 

9th  Duchess  of  Oneida— Earl  Bective 10,000 

12th  Duchess  of  Thorndale— A.  B.  Conger 5,700 

2d  Duke  of  Oneida— T.  J.  Megibben,  Kentucky 12,000 

4th  Duke  of  Oneida— Ezra  Cornell,  New  York 7,600 

7th  Duke  of  Oneida— A.  W.  Griswold,  Vermont 4,000 

11  females*  sold  for $238,800;   an  average  of $21,709 

3  bulls  sold  for   23,600;   an  average  of 7,866 

14  Duchesses  sold  for 262,400;   an  average  of 18,742 


*This  is  exclusive  of  the  8th  Duchess  of  Thorndale,  that  was  sold 
as  barren  to  C.  F.  Wadsworth  of  New  York  at  $450. 


428  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Countess  of  Oxford — A.  B.  Conger $  9,100 

12th  Lady  of  Oxford— T.  Holford 7,000 

2d  Maid  of  Oxford— A.  W.  Griswold 6,000 

12th  Maid  of  Oxford— Col.  L.  G.  Morris,  New  York 6,000 

10th  Earl  of  Oxford— A.  B.  Cornell,  New  York 2,500 

2d  Countess  of  Oxford— A.  W.  Griswold 2,100 

6th  Lord  of  Oxford— Simon  Beattie 1,300 

3d  Maid  of  Oxford— Warnoek  &  Megibben 1,000 

6  females*  sold  for $31,200;   an  average  of $  5,200 

2  bulls  sold  for 3,800;  an  average  of 1,900 

8  Oxfords  sold  for 35,000;  an  average  of 4,375 

Lady  Knightley  3d— Col.  L.  G.  Morris $  5,000 

Lady  Knightley  4th — ^A.  W.  Griswold 4,000 

Lady  Knightley  Sd— E.  K.  Thomas,  Kentucky 3,100 

Lady  Bates  4th— E.  G.  Bedford 3,250 

Lady  Bates  6th— George  M.  Bedford 2,300 

Lady  Bates  7th— A.  B.  Cornell 1,600 

Lady  Worcester  5th  (Wild  Eyes)— T.  Holford 3,100 

Lady  Worcester  4th    (Wild  Eyes)— T.  Holford 3,000 

Atlantic  Gwynne — Lord  Skelmersdale 2,000 

Miss  Gwynne— Col.  William  S.  King 1,700 

Brenda   (Bloom)— Col.  L.  G.  Morris 2,500 

Berlinda   (Bloom)— Col.  L.  G.  Morris 2,300 

Bloom  4th   (Bloom)— A.  B.  Cornell 1,000 

Beauty's  Pride   (Foggathorpe) — A.  W.  Griswold 1,725 

Baron  Oxford's  Beauty  (Foggathorpe) — Bush  &  Hampton, 

Kentucky 1,500 

Cherry  Constance  2d — T.  J.  Megibben 1,725 

Cherry  Constance — Col.  King  1,100 

Peri    4th— Col.    King 1,700 

Peri    5th— Col.    King 1,300 

Moselle   (Mazurka)— A.  W.  Griswold 1,425 

Rosamond  10th— W.  R.  Duncan,  Illinois 2,050 

Victoria  7th— A.  W.  Griswold 1,525 

Water  Lily— Bush  &  Hampton 1.125 

Roan  Duchess  3d— George  M.  Bedford 1,025 

92  females   sold   for $350,775;  an  average  of $  3,813 

17  bulls  sold  for ....     31,215;   an  average  of 1,836 

109  animals  sold  for 381,990;   an  average  of 3,504 


♦Exclusive  of  7th  Lady  of  Oxford,  sold  as  doubtful  breeder  to  Ezra 
Cornell  at  $400. 


THE  SENSATION  OF  SEVENTY-THREE  429 

Kello's  mistake.— After  the  sale  it  developed  that 
the  agent  of  Mr.  Davies  had  made  an  error  in  esti- 
mating American  currency  while  bidding  the  8th 
Duchess  of  Geneva  up  to  $40,600.  Davies,  while  not 
disavowing  his  agent's  act,  cabled  Mr.  Campbell  to 
resell  the  cow  and  he  would  adjust  the  difference  be- 
tween such  price  as  might  be  received  and  the  price 
bid  by  Kello.  Campbell  wrote  to  Col.  L.  G.  Morris 
stating  the  facts  and  asked  him  to  make  an  offer  on 
the  cow.  Morris  replied  that  he  was  willing  to  take 
her  at  the  price  made  by  her  daughter  at  the  sale, 
viz. :  $30,600,  and  the  offer  was  accepted.  Meantime 
Davies  was  forming  a  syndicate  in  England  to  take 
the  cow  at  the  $40,600  bid,  and  finally  cabled: 
''Don't  sell  the  cow.  Have  arranged  to  take  her." 
This  arrived  too  late,  however,  as  the  trade  with  Col. 
Morris  had  been  closed.  The  cow,  being  forward  in 
calf,  was  left  at  Mr.  Campbell's  farm  until  parturi- 
tion should  take  place.  A  few  days  before  her  time 
she  dropped  a  fully-developed  dead  heifer  calf,  and 
soon  thereafter  the  cow  herself  died,  all  efforts  to 
save  her  proving  fruitless.*  Mr.  Davies  then  sent 
a  bill  of  exchange  for  $5,000  to  Mr.  Campbell,  which 
was  handed  over  to  Col.  Morris,  thus  alleviating  to 
that  extent  his  lamentable  loss.  Morris  had  no 
thought  of  buying  a  Duchess  before  the  sale,  but  as 
the  bidding  progressed  and  the  ''plums"  seemed 

*It  has  been  said  by  those  familiar  with  the  facts  that  the  8th  Duch- 
ess was  literally  done  to  her  death  by  an  ignorant  Irish  employe  of  Mr. 
Campbell's.  She  developed  at  parturition  a  case  of  false  presentation, 
with  which  she  wrestled  for  thirty-six  hours,  while  the  poor  beast  was 
driven  up  and  down  the  road  during  her  distress  "to  make  her  calve 


430  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN^    CATTLE 

falling  steadily  to  the  English  party,  Samuel  Thome 
remarked  to  Col.  Morris:  "It  is  a  pity  there  is  no 
American  Gunter  here. ' '  This  was  an  allusion  to  the 
first  contest  for  the  possession  of  the  Duchesses  at 
the  Tortworth  sale  in  England  in  1853,  as  noted  on 
page  230.  Upon  that  occasion  Gunter  had  driven 
out  to  Earl  Ducie  's  without  the  slightest  idea  of  be- 
coming a  bidder,  but  in  response  to  an  appeal  to  the 
"patriotism"  of  the  large  crowd  of  Englishmen 
present  to  prevent  the  capture  of  the  tribe  bodily  by 
the  Americans  he  entered  the  lists. 

Sources  of  deterioration. — England  was  more  for- 
tunate than  America  in  her  Duchess  investments;  or 
it  may  be  nearer  the  truth  to  say  that  in  the  hands 
of  English  herdsmen  the  cattle  were  handled  with 
better  judgment.  The  English  purchases  were 
shipped  late  in  the  autumn  of  1873.  Along  with  the 
Campbell  cattle  went  five  Princesses,  bought  for 
account  of  E.  H.  Cheney.  The  $35,000  10th  Duchess 
of  Geneva  produced  in  the  hands  of  Earl  Bective  the 
bull  Duke  of  Underley  (33745),  that  became  a  sire 
of  great  renown.  The  Duchesses  that  remained  in 
America  failed  to  meet  the  expectations  of  their 
buyers,  and  through  deaths  and  failures  to  breed 
the  line  became  extinct  on  this  side  the  Atlantic 
within  ten  years.    That  incestuous  or  long-continued 


aisy!"  It  is  also  related  that  one  of  Mr.  Alexander's  purchases  -was 
driven  to  A.  Renick's  bv  a  colored  hand  on  horseback,  to  be  bred  to  the 
4th  Duke  of  Geneva.  At  New  York  Mills  the  Duchess  would  have  rid- 
den and  her  attendant  walked.  This  cow  arrived  at  Renick's  overcome 
by  the  heat,  was  turned  out  in  pasture,  and  a  thunder-shower  at  night 
completed  the  job.  Commenting  upon  this  incident  and  contrasting-  it 
with  the  treatment  given  to  his  pets  at  their  York  State  home  Gibson 
remarks:     "The  nigger  lived." 


THE  SEXSATIOX  OF  SEVEXTY-THREE  431 

close  breeding  tends  to  impairment  of  vigor  and 
infertility  does  not  admit  of  doubt.     The  Sheldon 
Duchesses  certainly  had  not  proved,  as  a  rule,  either 
fruitful  or  long-lived  in  Mr.  Campbell's  hands.  That 
fact  is  shown  by  the  comparatively  small  number  of 
females  in  the  herd  at  the  time  of  the  dispersion.  Six 
of  the  twelve  bought  in  1869  and  1870  had  disap- 
peared before  the  sale  of  1873,  leaving  no  offspring 
m  the  herd.     It  has  been  commonly  claimed  that 
tuberculosis  was  the  cause  of  this  and  the  subse- 
quent mortality  and  lack  of  fecundity,  but  it  has, 
perhaps,  not  been  generally  known  that  every  cow 
and  calf  at  New  York  Mills  had  contracted  from  the 
English  importation  of  1870  one  of  the  most  aggra- 
vating of  all  bovine  plagues,  foot-and-mouth  dis'ease, 
which  scourge  during  the  years  1867  and  1868  had 
so  sorely  tried  the  courage  of  Mr.  Booth  and  others 
in  Great  Britain.    The  only  two  beasts  upon  the  farm 
that  escaped  attack  were  the  bulls  4th  Duke  of  Ge- 
neva and  Royal  Briton.    A  frame  that  had  been  used 
for  shoeing  oxen  was  procured  from  a  blacksmith 
away  in  the  woods  of  Oneida  County  and  each  ani- 
mal had  its  feet  dressed  daily;  even  the  cows  that 
were  heavy  in  calf  being  subjected  to  this  treatment. 
Aside  from  the  Hillhurst  people,  who  were  going 
through  the  same  ordeal,  no  one  knew  at  the  time 
of  this  difficulty.    Linseed-meal  gruel  was  provided, 
and  as  a  result  of  careful  nursing  no  deaths  occurred. 
Like  Jo  grippe  in  the  human  subject,  foot-and-mouth 
disease  in  cattle  is  chiefly  to  be  dreaded  for  its  after 


432  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HOEX    CATTLE 

effects.  It  will  be  recalled  that  during  one  season 
(probably  1870)  after  the  disease  had  been  prevalent 
at  Warlaby  Mr.  Booth  raised  but  one  heifer  calf. 
To  this  cause,  therefore,  Mr.  Gibson  attributes  most 
of  the  troubles  of  the  New  York  Mills  Duchesses 
after  his  connection  with  the  herd  ceased.* 

4th  Duke  of  Geneva. — As  the  chief  stock  bull  in 
service  at  New  York  Mills  this  bull  occupied  a  com- 
manding position  in  the  minds  of  those  who  were 
following  the  Bates  colors.  Through  the  instrumen- 
tality of  Ben  F.  Vanmeter  of  Clark  Co.,  Ky.,  he  was 
bought  in  the  spring  of  1873  for  the  joint  account  of 
himself  and  Abram  Eenick  at  $6,000.  He  weighed 
at  that  time  about  2,000  lbs.  Mr.  Wright,  herdsman 
for  Mr.  Alexander,  had  looked  at  him  as  a  yearling 
with  a  view  toward  securing  him  for  Woodburn,  but 
left  him  on  account  of  his  showing  at  that  time  a 
defect  behind  the  shoulder.  He  improved  in  that 
respect,  however,  and  is  generally  credited  with 
having  proved  a  great  success  in  Kentucky,  to  which 
State  he  was  taken  May  1, 1873.    He  was  let  to  forty 


*The  history  of  this  herd  reads  like  a  romance.  The  fight  against 
fate  at  first,  the  importation  of  the  Booths,  the  first  purchase  of  half 
the  Geneva  herd,  the  compulsory  acquirement  of  the  second  and  the 
final  dispersion  were  all  the  outcome  of  peculiar  circumstances.  The 
climax  was  a  success,  but  that  success  was  not  commanded  by  superior 
knowledge  nor  sagacity,  but  simply  caused  by  a  fortuitous  sequence  of 
favorable  events — all  having  a  bearing.  Old  Weehawken,  the  success 
as  sires  of  American  Duchess  bulls  in  England,  the  extinction  of  the 
pure  Duchess  line  there,  the  constant  refusal  to  price  one,  England's 
competition  in  the  sale-ring,  and  a  favorable  time,  all  conspired  to 
bring  about  the  astounding  result.  Two  months  later  we  were  in  the 
throes  of  financial  trouble.  The  gratuitous  advertising  through  con- 
troversy in  England,  and  above  all  the  tact  and  skill  of  the  auctioneer, 
were  also  important  factors. 

"Are  you  satisfied,  Mr.  Campbell,  100  head  of  cattle  can  be  sold  in  an 
afternoon?"  asked  the  auctioneer  after  it  was  all  over.  "I  am  aware  it 
has  been  done,  sir,'  rejoined  Mr.  Campbell ;  and  the  auctioneer's  fee  was 
two  black-nosed  Victorias  that  were  not  worthy  to  be  put  in  the  sale ! — • 
Richard  Gibson  in  "Breeder's  Gazette/' 


THE  SENSATION  OF  SEVENTY-THREE  433 

COWS  from  other  herds  at  a  service  fee  of  $150  each 
within  a  year.  Cows  were  turned  away  during  the 
following  year  after  services  for  twenty  had  been 
arranged  at  $250  each.  After  the  New  York  Mills 
sale  Lord  Skelmersdale  (afterward  Earl  of  Latham) 
visited  Kentucky  and  endeavored  to  buy  the  4th 
Duke  of  Geneva,  but  could  get  no  price  upon  him, 
although  intimating  that  he  was  willing  to  give 
$16,000. 

English  sales  of  1873. — At  Cheney  ^s  sale  in  July 
thirty-five  head  averaged  £294,  14tli  Lady  of  Oxford 
making  905  guineas  from  Earl  Bective,  12th  Duchess 
of  Geneva  935  guineas  from  Sir  Wilfred  Lawson,  3d 
Duke  of  Gloster  820  guineas  from  Earl  Bective,  the 
Gwynne  heifer  Geneva's  Minstrel  600  guineas  from 
J.  P.  Foster,  and  an  American-bred  Princess  cow 
(Lady  Sale  of  Putney)  470  guineas  from  Earl  Bec- 
tive. At  Lord  Penrhyn's  sale  in  May  forty-one  head 
averaged  £210,  the  highest  prices  being  755  guineas 
for  Cherry  Duchess  14th  to  Earl  Bective,  550  guineas 
for  Waterloo  33d  to  Lord  Skelmersdale,  500  guineas 
for  Waterloo  30th  to  F.  Leney,  and  505  guineas  for 
Cherry  Duchess  20th  to  C.  A.  Barnes.  At  the  dis- 
persion of  the  famous  herd  of  Col.  Towneley  forty 
head  averaged  £126,  the  top  being  800  guineas  for 
6th  Maid  of  Oxford. 


CHAPTER  XVI 
A  GOLDEN  AGE 

The  Campbell  sale  fairly  electrified  tlie  breeding 
fraternity  on  both  sides  the  Atlantic,  and  although 
followed  by  a  period  of  financial  disturbance,  yet 
during  the  years  immediately  succeeding  an  enor- 
mous business  was  done  in  Short-horns  at  both  pub- 
lic sale  and  private  treaty.  The  Central  West  still 
busied  itself  with  the  fairs,  and  having  the  require- 
ments of  the  ring  steadily  in  view  afforded  a  strong 
market  for  show  stock  as  well  as  for  animals  of  the 
prevailing  fashionable  blood.* 

Spring  sales  of  1874. — The  great  show  herds  of  the 
West  now  depended  very  largely  on  Canadian  im- 
portations for  their  heaviest  ''timber.''  Stock  of 
the  high-styled,  ''rangy''  type  could  no  longer  win. 
Mr.  Cochrane  had  fitted  out  Col.  King  with  his 
famous  herd,  and  other  champions  had  found  their 
way  into  the  West  from  the  Dominion.  American 
breeders  were  frequent  visitors  in  Canada  in  these 

♦Writing  of  the  situation  in  the  fall  of  1873  John  Thornton  said:  "A 
slight  reaction  in  favor  of  not  breeding  from  'pure'  strains  was  notice- 
able during  the  autumn.  Close  in-and-in  breeding  is  doubtless  the 
method  whereby  many  of  our  finest  animals  are  produced,  as  it  is  also 
the  cause  of  delicacy  and  decay.  The  judicious  blending  of  sound  tribes 
must  naturally  result  in  the  perfection  of  form  and  quality,  to  which 
fair  milking  properties  should  also  be  added.  The  combination  of  milk 
with  the  feeding  qualities  and  graceful  beauty  of  the  Short-horn  has 
been  the  cause  of  its  supremacy,  but  if  the  milking  properties  are  re- 
duced the  Short-horn  is  brought  to  a  level  with  other  breeds,  and  its 
value  consequently  depreciated." 

434 


14Tn    DUKE    OF    TIIORNDALE     (28450)     AT    18    MONTHS— SOLD    FOR 
$17,900. 


rrn   duke  of  geneva  (soost)  at  three  years— used  at  new 

YORK    MILLS    AND    ON    RENICK    ROSES    OF   SHARON. 


A   GOLDENT    AGE  435 

clays  in  quest  of  show  stock.  It  is  related  that  a 
Western  buyer,  whose  ambition  exceeded  his  judg- 
ment, after  examining  the  stock  of  Simon  Beattie 
and  James  I.  Davidson  in  quest  of  a  show  cow,  was 
advised  to  look  at  an  animal  then  in  the  hands  of  a 
neighbor,  which  he  was  assured  could  be  bought  for 
$250.  After  starting  away  the  prospective  buyer 
came  back  and  gravely  asked  Mr.  Davidson  if  he 
thought  the  cow  in  question  was  as  good  as  Rose- 
dale.  ''A  coo  as  gude  as  Rosedale  for  $250 !''  ex- 
claimed the  okl  Scotchman  in  amazement.  "Weel, 
mon,  if  that's  a'  ye  ken  aboot  coos  ye  better  gang 
hame  where  ye  came  from."  Those  Americans, 
however,  who  attended  Simon  Beattie 's  sale  in  the 
early  spring  of  1874  were  of  a  different  class.  They 
did  not  expect  to  get  Rosedales  at  the  price  of  com- 
mon cows,  for  it  was  here  that  George  Murray  of 
Racine,  Wis.,  bought  the  grand  roan  three-year-old 
show  heifer  imp.  Maid  of  Honor,  of  Game's  breed- 
ing, at  $2,600,  and  the  mixed-bred  imp.  Lady  Gunter 
at  $2,000.  C.  C.  Parks  bought  the  roan  heifer  Malm- 
sey, also  of  Game  breeding,  at  $3,100.  Gen.  Sol. 
Meredith  took  Rose  of  Racine,  a  Bates-topped  Rosa- 
bella by  Bridegroom,  and  her  heifer  calf  at  $3,420, 
and  the  grand  roan  Ruberta,  another  Garne-bred 
cow,  imported  by  William  Miller  in  1869,  at  $1,275. 
On  April  8  at  John  SnelPs  sale  at  Edmonton,  Ont., 
Messrs.  Day  of  Iowa  paid  $1,225  for  the  Scotch-bred 
imp.  Golden  Drop  1st,  then  eight  years  old,  and 
$1,005  for  the  roan  yearling  heifer  Golden  Circle. 


436  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

On  the  following  clay  at  Hugh  Thompson's  sale  John 
Collard  of  Des  Moines,  la.,  gave  $1,015  for  imp. 
Raspberry,  and  J.  K.  Craig  $1,000  for  the  two-year- 
old  Golden  Drop  3d;  the  six-year-old  Golden  Drop 
2d  falling  to  Eiehard  Gibson's  bidding  at  $1,005. 
About  this  date  Mr.  Rigdon  Huston  of  Blandinsville, 
111.,  sold  the  Kentucky-bred  Galatea  show  bull  Bour- 
bon Star  11425  to  M.  W.  Fall  of  Eddyville,  la.,  for 
$1,000.  May  13  the  Muirkirk  Herd  of  C.  E.  Coffin 
was  sold  by  John  R.  Page  in  Maryland,  the  highest 
price  paid  being  $1,425  by  Hon.  T.  J.  Megibben  for 
Muirkirk  Gw^ynne.  Leslie  Combs  Jr.  of  Kentucky 
bought  Water  Nymph  at  $1,200,  and  T.  S.  Cooper 
of  Pennsylvania  paid  $1,060  for  Portulacca. 

The  Glen  Flora  sale  at  Waukegan  on  May  20  re- 
sulted in  an  average  of  $900  on  fifty-five  females, 
Col.  Judy  wielding  the  hammer.  Imp.  Jubilee 
Gwynne  was  taken  by  Stephen  Dunlap  at  $2,500 
and  Melody  Gwynne  by  C.  F.  Wadsworth  of  New 
York  at  $1,000.  For  Melody  Gwynne  6th  Elliott  & 
Kent  of  low^a  gave  $1,600.  The  same  firm  bought 
Mazurka  Duchess  2d  for  $1,520  and  for  another  Ma- 
zurka B.  B.  Groom  of  Kentucky  gave  $1,350.  Gen. 
C.  E.  Lippincott  purchased  imp.  Malmsley  at  $1,500 
and  Irene  11th  at  $1,000.  Mr.  Megibben  took  Oxford 
Princess  at  $1,500  and  5th  Miss  Wiley  of  Glen  Flora 
at  $1,250,  and  Emery  Cobb  gave  $1,425  for  4th  Louan 
of  Glen  Flora.  J.  H.  Kissinger  paid  liberally  for 
several  cows  of  the  Louan  family,  $1,325  for  one  and 
$1,000  for  another.    Rigdon  Huston  took  7th  Louan 


A   GOLDEX    AGE  437 

of  Glen  Flora  at  $1,500  and  Avery  &  Murphy  of  De- 
troit 2d  Louan  at  $1,825.  John  Niccolls  of  Bloom- 
ington.  111.,  was  also  a  free  buyer,  paying  up  to 
$1,825  for  Victoria  of  Glen  Flora.  James  W.  Wads- 
worth  of  New  York  secured  Lydia  Languish  2d  at  a 
bid  of  $1,000.  For  imp.  Lady  Oxford  H.  Ludington 
of  Milwaukee  gave  $2,350.  A  feature  of  this  big  sale 
was  the  high  average  of  the  Gwynnes,  eight  averag- 
ing $1,100  each. 

Lyndale  sale  at  Dexter  Park. — Col.  William  S. 
King  made  a  memorable  sale  at  Dexter  Park,  Chi- 
cago, on  the  following  day,  May  21.  But  one  speci- 
men of  the  popular  Bates  Duchess  family  was  in- 
cluded, and  in  view  of  this  fact  the  prices  paid  were 
considered  at  that  time  quite  as  extraordinary  as 
those  made  at  the  great  sale  at  New  York  Mills.  A 
summary  of  the  highest  prices  and  averages  is 
appended: 

2d  Duke  of  HiUhurst  12893— George  Robbins,  London,  Eng.$14,000 
Lady  Mary  7th,    (Princess) — Charles  F.  Wadsworth,  New 

York    ■ 5,500 

Lady  Mary  8th — Charles  F.  Wadsworth 5,500 

Lyndale  Wild  Eyes— T.  J.  Megibben 5,000 

Bell  Duchess — James  Wadsworth,  New  York 4,400 

Peri  5th — James  Wadsworth  4,000 

Bell  Duchess  3d— T.  J.  Megibben 3,300 

Peri  4th — T.  J.  Megibben 3,000 

Lady  Mary  5th— Gen.  N.  M.  Curtis,  New  York 3,000 

3d  Malvern  Gwynne— T.  J.  Megibben 3,000 

IMiss  Gwynne — A.  W.  Griswold,  Vermont 3,000. 

Baron  Hubback  2d— C.  A.  DeGraff,  Minnesota 2,600 

Peri  2d  of  Lyndale — Avery  &  Murphy,  Michigan 2,500 

True  Blue  (bull)— P.  A.  Coen,  Illinois 2,240 

Peri  3d— A.  W.  Griswold 2,100 


438  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HOKX    CATTLE 

Hubback's  Garland — William  Sodowsky,  Illinois $  2,100 

Garland— T.  J.  Megibben 2,100 

Bell  Duchess  2d— B.  B.  Groom,  Kentucky 2,100 

Miss  Leslie  Napier— C.  A.  DeGraff 2,015 

Miss  Leslie— C.  A.  DeGraff 2,005 

5th  Lady  Sale  of  Brattleboro— C.  F.  Wadsworth 2,000 

Butterfly's  Gift— Maj.  S.  E.  Ward,  Missouri 1,900 

Gem  of  Lyndale— Maj.  S.  E.  Ward 1,850 

Star  of  Lyndale— S.  E.  Ward 1,850 

2d  Tuberose  of  Brattleboro— T.  J.  Megibben 1,800 

Florence — D.  M.  Flynn,  Iowa 1,700 

Constance  of  Lyndale  2d — A.  W.  Griswold 1,675 

Moselle  6th— A.  W.  Griswold 1,600 

8th  Lady  of  Brattleboro— C.  F.  Wadsworth 1,600 

Roan  Princess— D.  M.  Flynn 1,600 

Constance  of  Lyndale  3d — John  R.  Craig,  Canada 1,600 

Mazurka  of  Lyndale — S.  Meredith  &  Son,  Indiana 1,525 

2d  Lady  Gwynne— T.  J.  Megibben 1,500 

Oakwood  Gwynne  2d — Gen.  N.  M.  Curtis 1,500 

Mazurka  of  Lyndale  3d — J.  H.  Kissinger,  Missouri 1,475 

Mayflower — E.  L.  Davison,  Kentucky 1,435 

Medora  14th— John  R.  Craig 1,300 

Scottish  Lady— S.  W.  Jacobs,  Iowa 1,275 

June  Flower— J.  G.  Coulter,  Ohio 1,225 

58  females   sold   for $101,615;   an  average  of $  1,752 

21  bulls  sold  for 25,375;   an  average  of 1,208 

79  animals  sold  for 126,990;   an  average  of 1,628 

The  sale  of  2d  Diike  of  Hillhurst  to  the  English 
bidder  was  not  consummated  on  account  of  delay  in 
making  settlement.  It  is  included  in  this  report, 
however,  for  the  reason  that  the  sum  of  $13,900  was 
bid  in  good  faith  for  the  bull  by  Hon.  John  Went- 
worth  of  Chicago.  Mr.  Wentworth  had  started  the 
bidding  at  $12,000.  The  contest  from  that  point 
up  to  $13,000  was  between  ''Long  John"  and  the 
Englishman.     George    Murray   of   Wisconsin    then 


A   GOLDEN^   AGE  439 

entered  the  competition  and  carried  the  price  to 
$13,800.    A  bid  of  $13,900  was  made  by  Mr.  Went- 
worth,  which  was  raised  by  Bobbins  to  $14,000.     It 
stated  that  Bobbins  was  bidding  for  joint  account 
of  Lord  Dunmore,  Earl  Bective  and  Col.  Gunter  of 
England,  and  as  the  price  was  the  largest  ever  made 
up  to  that  date  for  a  bull  of  any  breed  in  any  country 
the  result  was  greeted  with  hearty  cheers.   Bobbins 
left  for  Buffalo  the  evening  of  the  sale  for  the  al- 
leged purpose  of  drawing  the  funds,  but  on  Saturday 
telegraphed  Col.  King  that  he  must  go  to  New  York 
to  complete  his  arrangements.    Feeling  that  he  had 
given  him  reasonable  time  Col.  King  wired  in  reply 
that  he  did  not  consider  himself  bound  to  delay  any 
longer,  and  that  the  2d  Duke  would  return  to  Lyn- 
dale.    Bobbins  was  a  fraud  pure  and  simple. 

A  noticeable  feature  of  this  sale  was  the  great 
price  made  by  the  Princesses  and  the  comparative 
lack  of  appreciation  of  the  Booth-bred  lots.  Mr.  De 
Graff  resold  Baron  Hubback  2d  after  the  sale  to  B. 
Sumner  of  Connecticut. 

Other  Western  events.— At  Cambridge  City,  Ind., 
on  the  day  following  this  exciting  event  Gen.  Mere- 
dith &  Son  sold  fifty-three  head  at  an  average  of 
$454,  the  thirty-nine  females  bringing  $20,985,  an 
average  of  $515.  For  imp.  Boyal  Duchess  2d  Hon. 
T.  C.  Jones  and  G.  J.  Hagerty  of  Ohio  gave  $2,000, 
and  Avery  &  Murphy  took  Joan  of  Arc  at  the  same 
price. 

J.  H.  Spears  &  Sons  held  a  sale  at  Tallula,  111.,  on 


440  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

May  27,  at  which  Gen.  Lippincott  paid  $5,800  for 
Cherub  2d  and  $1,600  for  Duchess  of  Sutherland  4th. 
Several  Sanspareils — then  a  new  sort  in  the  West — 
sold  at  high  prices,  Messrs.  James  N.  Brown's  Sons 
of  Berlin,  111.,  paying  $2,250  for  two  females  of  that 
family.  Gen.  Meredith  gave  $1,000  for  Mazurka 
20th  and  J.  H.  Kissinger  $1,025  for  Eosettie  4th. 
The  thirty-four  females  sold  averaged  $630  and 
eleven  bulls  $950.  About  this  date  Mr.  S.  F.  Lock- 
ridge  of  Indiana  bought  the  Booth-crossed  Scotch 
bull  Lord  Strathallan  from  Mr.  John  Miller  of  Can- 
ada for  $2,500.  J.  H»  Kissinger  disposed  of  forty 
head  at  auction  at  an  average  of  $427.50,  Mr.  Pick- 
rell  paying  $1,675  for  Bride  15th.  Messrs.  J.  H. 
Potts  &  Son  made  liberal  purchases  upon  this  occa- 
sion. W.  R.  Duncan's  sale  made  an  average  of  $525 
on  twenty-six  head,  George  Otley  giving  $1,500  for 
Rosamond  10th,  P.  A.  Coen  $1,000  for  Mazurka  34th, 
Gen.  Meredith  $1,025  for  Rosamond  7th  and  J.  H. 
Pickrell  $1,500  for  Lady  Bates.  At  Decatur,  111., 
April  28,  Messrs.  B.  Z.  &  T.  M.  Taylor  disposed  of 
thirteen  females  at  an  average  of  $843,  including  six 
Louans  that  averaged  $1,399  each,  Louan  6th  of 
Poplar  Farm,  by  Aristocrat  7509,  bringing  $2,110 
from  E.  W.  Miller,  Lula,  111. ;  Louan  4th,  by  Baron 
Booth  of  Lancaster,  $1,760  from  John  Niccolls  of 
Bloomington;  Louan  5th  (by  Aristocrat)  $1,300  from 
Claude  Matthews,  and  Louan  3d,  by  11th  Duke  of 
Airdrie,  $1,100  from  Emory  Cobb. 

Kentucky  summer  sales. — The  Kentucky  auction 


A  GOLDEX   AGE  441 

sales  of  1874  were  largely  attended  and  made  some 
big  averages.     At  Hughes  &  Eichardson's  eighty- 
eight  head  averaged  $581.    Lady  Bates  3d  fetched 
$2,150,  Geneva  Gwynne  $1,675,  Minna    of    Elkhill 
$1,905  and  Loudon  Duchess  6th  $1,775— all  to  Ken- 
tucky buyers;  Candidate's  Duchess  2d,  $1,425,  and 
Wilda,  $1,200,  to  Gen.  Meredith;  Louan  of  Elkhill, 
$1,025,  to  Leslie  Combs;  Louan  5th  of  Elkhill,  $1,100, 
to  J.  H.  Kissinger;  Louan  4th  of  Elkhill,  $1,100,  to 
^Y.  N.  Offcutt;  Mazurka  Belle  2d,  $1,000,  and  Lady 
Newham  10th,  $1,050,  to  Theodore  Bates;  Bertha, 
$1,640,  to  Bush  &  Hampton.     At  E.  L.  Davison's 
Gen.  Meredith  paid  $1,725  for  Mazurka  36th  and 
$1,000  for  Grace  4th.     Walter  Handy  gave  $1,150 
for  Louan  of  Waveland  and  J.  E.  Shelley  of  Illinois 
$1,250  for  Mazurka  37th.     At  Warnock  &  Megib- 
ben's  seventy-eight  head  averaged  $457,  George  M. 
Bedford  giving  $1,700  for  Airdrie  Belle,  Col.  Wil- 
liam E.  Simms  $1,800  for  Eose  Jackson,  Kirk  & 
Cunningham  of  Ohio  $1,550  for  Cambridge  Eose  3d, 
Ed  Thomas  $1,300  for  Miss  Stonewall  Jackson,  Col. 
J.  B.  Taylor  of  Canada  $1,000  for  Cambridge  Eose 
2d,  John  Niccolls  &  Sons  $1,525  for  3d  Mazurka  of 
Woodlawn,  Abner  Strawn  of  Illinois  $1,735  for  9th 
Duchess  of  Springwood  and  Mr.  Megibben  $2,475  for 
two  females  of  same  family,  etc.    At  this  sale,  held 
July  28,  Mr.  George  W.  Eust,  editor  of  the  National 
Live-stock  Journal,  was  the  victim  of  a  murderous 
assault,  narrowly  escaping  assassination.    The  affair 
grew  out  of  charges  made  through,  that  paper  in 


442  A   HISTORY    OF   SIIORT-HORX    CATTLE 

1873  in  relation  to  the  pedigree  of  the  famous  Shrop- 
shire show  heifer  Fanny  Forrester. 

Ben  F.  Van  Meter  sold  thirty-four  head  for 
$18,000,  an  average  of  $539.  Abram  Van  Meter's 
eighty-three  head  averaged  $565.  A  notable  private 
sale  in  the  fall  of  this  year  was  the  transfer  of  four 
head  by  David  Selsor  of  Ohio  to  Mr.  Keyes  of  Wis- 
consin for  $4,000,  and  three  head  from  same  herd  to 
an  Ohio  party  at  $3,000. 

Closing  events  of  1874. — The  great  events  of  the 
autumn  of  1874  were  the  sales  of  E.  G.  Bedford  and 

B.  B.  Groom  in  Kentuck}^  At  the  former  seven 
head  of  Loudon  Duchesses  sold  for  $24,650,  an  aver- 
age of  $3,521,  four  being  bought  by  Kentuckians — 

C.  M.  Clay,  T.  J.  Megibben  and  Ben  F.  Bedford— 
and  three  by  Illinois  breeders,  J.  H.  Spears  taking 
two  at  $2,250  and  $2,000  respectively  and  Col.  Eob- 
ert  Holloway  one  at  $2,700.  The  highest-priced  one 
was  the  $6,000  Loudon  Duchess  9th,  that  was  bid 
off  by  B.  F.  Bedford.  At  this  same  sale  S.  F.  Lock- 
ridge  gave  $1,700  for  Cora  3d,  E.  L.  Davison  paid 
$2,075  for  Cannondale  2d,  E.  K.  Thomas  $2,325  for 
Lady  Bates  4th,  two  Louans  brought  $2,225,  the  21st 
Duke  of  Airdrie  $7,000  from  J.  H.  Spears,  Loudon 
Duke  19th  $3,500  from  W.  R.  Duncan  and  Loudon 
Duke  15th  $2,100  from  S.  Meredith  &  Son.  The 
thirty-five  head  averaged  $1,672.  At  the  Groom 
sale  119  head  sold  for  an  average  price  of  '$573, 
twenty-two  head  commanding  prices  ranging  from 
$1,000  up  to  $2,550,  the  top  price  being  paid  by 


A   GOLDEN    AGE  443 

C.  C.  Childs  of  Independence,  Mo.,  for  Bell  Duch- 
ess 2d. 

No  less  than  2,592  head  of  Short-horns  passed 
through  the  sale-ring  in  America  during  1874,  bring- 
ing $1,004,159,  an  average  of  $387,  the  great  year's 
business  closing  with  the  private  sale  of  the  2d  Duke 
of  Hillhurst  and  the  lOtli  Duchess  of  Airdrie  and  six 
of  her  descendants  to  Hon.  M.  H.  Cochrane  by  Col. 
William  S.  King  and  Mr.  George  Murray  at  terms 
not  made  public  but  known  to  be  extraordinary.  The 
transfer  of  the  7th  Duke  of  Oneida  from  A.  W.  Gris- 
wold  to  Mr.  A.  J.  Alexander  of  Woodburn  Farm, 
Ky.,  for  $10,000  has  also  to  be  noted  at  this  time. 

The  public  sales  in  England  of  the  year  1874  were 
sixty-eight,  aggregating  2,165  head,  at  an  average 
of  $323  each,  a  total  sum  of  $702,556,  being  236 
animals  more  than  in  1873,  and  at  an  increased  price 
of  $45  per  head,  yet  lower  by  $69  each  than  the 
American  public-sale  prices.  The  exceptional  sales 
in  England  were  those  of  Messrs.  Leney  &  Sons,  of 
forty-one  head,  at  an  average  of  $1,458;  Duke  of 
Devonshire,  forty-three  head,  $1,913;  Earl  Bective, 
fifty-five  head,  $1,816;  E.  H.  Cheney,  twenty-seven 
head,  $2,095— all  of  Bates  blood. 

The  sales  of  1875. — There  seemed  no  abatement 
of  public  interest  as  the  trade  of  1875  was  inaugu- 
rated. As  in  the  previous  year,  the  initiative  was 
taken  by  Canada.  John  E.  Craig  made  a  sale  of 
thirty-three  head  at  an  average  of  $548,  Col.  Eobert 
Holloway  of  Illinois  leading  the  bidding  with  $2,600 


444  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

for  Waterloo  J  and  $625  for  the  Scotch-bred  Miss 
Eamsden  5th.  Wesley  AVarnock  of  Kentucky  took 
Peri  Pink  at  $1,350  and  W^.  E.  Simms  of  Kentucky 
bought  Mystery  at  $1,175.  Ware  &  McGoodwin  of 
Kentucky  secured  Campaspie  3d  for  $1,000.  A  still 
better  sale  was  that  of  William  Miller's,  where 
thirty-five  animals  commanded  an  average  of  $583. 
Col.  Holloway  was  a  liberal  buyer  upon  this  occa- 
sion also,  securing  Princess  of  Atha  for  $725,  Wave 
Duchess  at  $660  and  the  Kinellar-bred  Golden  Drop 
2d  at  $775.  Still  Bates  blood  was  on  top.  Ware  & 
McGoodwin  paying  $3,360  for  Fennel  Duchess  7th 
and  $1,200  for  Fennel  Duchess  of  Lancaster.  B.  B. 
Groom  took  the  Craggs  7th  Duchess  of  Winfield  at 
$805  and  Warnock  the  Bell-Bates  Duchess  of  Spring- 
wood  at  $1,225.  Birrell  &  Johnston  of  Canada  also 
sold  some  good  cattle  in  this  series,  including  two 
Scotch  Golden  Drops  that  fetched  $850  and  $550  re- 
spectively from  local  buyers.  That  a  lively  trade  at 
full  figures  was  to  characterize  the  year  in  the  Cen- 
tral West  was  foreshadowed  by  the  spring  sales  as 
w^ell  as  by  the  private  transfers.  Mr.  Pickrell  re- 
ceived $1,000  early  in  the  year  for  the  young  bull 
Breastplate  Louanjo,  by  the  famous  Breastplate  out 
of  a  Louan  cow  by  imp.  Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster, 
the  buyer  being  B.  Vantress  of  Maiden,  111.  Li  Vir- 
ginia George  W.  Palmer  sold  a  Craggs  cow  to  A.  M. 
Bowman  at  $1,700.  Vol.  IV  of  the  Kentucky  Short- 
horn Record  was  announced  as  ready  for  delivery  at 
$8,  a  price  quite  on  a  parity  with  prevailing  values 


A   GOLDEX    AGE  445 

for  cattle.  In  March  William  Stewart  of  Illinois 
held  a  successful  sale,  at  which  Mr.  R.  H.  Austin 
of  Sycamore,  111.,  gave  $1,900  for  1st  Duchess  Louan 
and  $1,500  for  2d  Lady  of  Racine.  N.  P.  Clarke  of 
St.  Cloud,  Minn.,  entered  the  lists  here,  taking 
among  other  lots  Caroline  6th  at  $810.  During  this 
same  month  Col:  Holloway  journeyed  to  Mr.  Coch- 
rane's  and  bought  the  4th  Duke  of  Hillhurst  for 
$7,000,  and  Messrs.  Grimes  and  Montgomery  of  Ohio 
sold  the  3d  Duke  of  Oneida  to  Ware  &  McGoodwin 
of  Kentucky  for  $12,000. 

Glen  Flora  dispersion.— The  closing  out  of  the 
Glen  Flora  Herd  of  Mr.  C.  C.  Parks  at  Waukegan, 
111.,  in  April  drew  out  a  great  attendance  from  far 
and  near  and  resulted  in  an  average  of  $612  on  122 
head  of  cattle.  The  best  prices  of  the  day  were  as 
follows:  $2,500  for  Peri  of  Fairview  from  Mr.  Me- 
gibben;  $2,000  for  Oxford  Bloom  4th  from  same 
buyer;  $2,000  for  Bright  Eyes  Duchess  2d  from 
George  Otley;  $1,800  for  6th  Duchess  Louan  from 
N.  P.  Clarke  and  $1,600  from  same  buyer  for  Peri's 
Duchess;  $1,500  for  the  bull  Baron  Bates  3d  11332 
from  George  Otley;  $1,325  for  Victoria  of  Glen  Flora 
from  Mr.  Megibben;  $1,200  for  2d  Rose  of  Racine 
from  H.  F.  Brown  of  Minneapolis;  $1,225  for  Oxford 
Gwynne  5th  from  AVilliam  Miller,  Atha,  Ont.;  $1,850 
for  Princess  of  Oxford  7th  from  N.  P.  Clarke;  $1,550 
for  Atlantic  Gwynne  2d  from  George  Grimes  of 
Ohio;  $1,200  for  Princess  Gwynne  and  a  like  sum 
for  Oxford  Bloom  from  J.  R.   Shelley  of  Illinois; 


446  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

$1,200  for  Jubilee  Gwyiine  2d  from  Mr.  Grimes,  etc. 
Large  purchases  were  made  by  Hon.  Wm.  M.  Smith, 
Lexington,  111.,  Albert  Crane,  Durham  Park,  Kan., 
and  many  others  afterward  prominent  in  the  trade. 

Kissinger's  sale.— This  important  sale  was  fol- 
lowed by  another  from  the  herd  of  J.  H.  Kissinger  of 
Missouri,  who  received  an  average  of  $606  for  forty- 
one  head.  It  was  here  that  Ed  lies  gave  $2,200  for 
the  bull  Kissinger's  Breastplate  17476,  sired  by  old 
Breastplate  out  of  imp.  Primula  by  Falstaff  (21720). 
The  same  buyer  also  took  Mazurka  of  Lin  wood  at 
$1,600.  George  Otley  increased  his  investment  in 
high-priced  stock  by  paying  $1,180  for  3d  Louan  of 
Linwood  and  $1,650  for  Orphan  Gwynne.  Albert 
Crane  bought  Miss  Wiley  of  Linwood  at  $1,200  and 
J.  H.  Spears  &  Son  gave  $1,000  for  Illustrious  3d. 

Elliott  &  Kent.— This  Iowa  firm  had  been  liberal 
buyers  of  cattle  for  several  years  and  this  spring- 
placed  sixty-one  head  on  the  market  that  averaged 
$559.  The  sensational  event  of  this  sale  was  the 
purchase  of  the  Princess  cow  4th  Tuberose  of  Brat- 
tleboro  by  Col.  Robert  Holloway  at  $3,500  and  the 
high  price  brought  by  other  specimens  of  that 
famous  old  family.  W.  E.  Simms  of  Paris,  Ky., 
paid  $1,810  for  2d  Eed  Eose  of  Brattleboro.  George 
Grimes  of  Ohio  gave  $1,550  for  13th  Lady  Sale  of 
Brattleboro  and  $1,150  for  39th  Lady  Sale  of  Putney. 
J.  R.  Shelley  took  37th  Lady  Sale  of  Putney  at 
$1,050.  All  these  were  primarily  descended  from 
the  Stephenson  Princess    tribe,    from    whence    Mr. 


A   GOLDEX    AGE  447 

Bates  obtained  Belvedere.  At  this  sale  A.  Ludlow 
of  Monroe,  Wis.,  bought  Mazurka  Duchess  2d  at 
$1,700  and  Albert  Crane  took  Louan  5th  of  Elm 
Grove  at  $1,400. 

Spears  and  the  Nelly  Blys. — J.  H.  Spears  &  Son 
made  a  memorable  sale  this  spring,  which  had  for 
its  most  interesting  feature  great  prices  for  a  family 
of  cow^s  built  up  in  their  herd  from  a  descendant  of 
the  roan  cow  Lady  Elizabeth  (by  Emperor),  brought 
out  from  England  in  1839  by  the  Fayette  Co.  (Ky.) 
Importing  Co.  and  sold  at  their  sale  for  $660.  These 
Nelly  Blys,  as  they  are  still  called,  w^ere  fine  show 
cattle,  as  well  as  capital  breeders,  and  at  this  sale 
nine  head  of  cows  and  heifers  belonging  to  it  sold 
for  $11,350,  an  average  of  $1,261.  The  top  price  for 
these  was  $1,825,  paid  by  Mrs.  Kimberly  of  West 
Liberty,  la.,  for  Nelly  Bly  4th.  Most  of  them  were 
daughters  of  Gen.  Grant  4825.  Still  higher  prices 
were  made,  however,  by  a  pair  of  Loudon  Duchesses, 
the  13th  and  17th  of  the  line,  the  former,  by  5th 
Duke  of  Geneva,  going  to  S.  W.  Jacobs  of  West  Lib- 
erty, la.,  at  $3,200,  and  the  latter,  by  21st  Duke  of 
Airdrie,  to  E.  K.  Thomas  of  North  Middletown,  Ky., 
at  $2,750.  Mr.  E.  C.  Lewis  paid  $1,600  for  Magenta 
2d,  by  Gen.  Grant,  and  J.  E.  Conover,  Petersburg, 
111.,  took  her  dam,  the  McMillan-bred  Magenta,  by 
Plantagenet,  at  $1,325.  James  N.  Brown's  Sons  of 
Grove  Park,  Sangamon  Co.,  111.,  paid  $1,995  for 
Highland  Lady  2d,  by  Royal  Oakland  9034,  tracing 
to  imp.  Western  Lady,  by  the  celebrated  Grand  Turk 


448  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

(12969).  This  cow's  heifer  by  Col.  Towneley  13691 
went  to  Mr.  Conover  at  $1,750.  C.  W.  Goff  of  Mon- 
mouth, 111.,  bought  14th  Louan  of  Woodlawn,  .a 
daughter  of  the  Woodburn-bred  Laudable  5890,  at 
$1,650.  Duchess  of  York  9th,  a  Canadian-bred  roan, 
fetched  $1,000  from  Albert  Crane.  The  imported 
cow  Lady  Highthorn  was  bought  by  Mr.  Conover  at 
$1,000.  The  Cruickshank  cow  Violet's  Forth,  then 
in  her  ninth  year  and  belonging  to  a  family  of  cattle 
practically  unknow^n  at  that  time  in  the  West,  went 
to  Mrs.  Kimberly  at  $1,000.  The  21st  Duke  of  Air- 
drie  was  purchased  by  Gen.  Lippincott  at  $10,500. 
The  forty  head  sold  brought  an  average  of  $1,163. 

Pickrell's  great  sale. — J.  H.  Pickrell's  sale  of 
twenty-three  head  at  Decatur,  111.,  April  27,  1875,  at 
an  average  of  $1,265  stands  next  to  Col.  King's  Dex- 
ter Park  average  of  1874  as  the  highest  ever  made 
in  the  AVestern  States.  The  celebrated  show  bull 
Breastplate  11431,  for  which  Mr.  Pickrell  had  paid 
$6,000,  was  bought  by  Mrs.  Kimberly  for  $6,100. 
This  bull  was  a  red,  bred  by  Hon.  M.  H.  Cochrane 
from  Star  of  the  Eealm  9150  out  of  Bright  Lady  by 
Lord  Blithe  (22126).  He  was  largely  of  Booth  blood 
and  at  the  shows  of  1872  and  1873  had  won  over 
$1,000  in  cash  prizes.  Some  fine  specimens  of  the 
Bedford  Bride  family  and  choice  show  things  of  the 
Louan  sort  brought ' '  four  figures. "  A.  E.  Kimberly 
paid  $2,850  for  the  red  cow  Lady  Bride,  by  imp. 
Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster  out  of  Bride  15th  by  Air- 
drie  2478.     E.  W.  Miller,  Raymond,  111.,  took  the 


A  GOLDE>T   AGE  449 

splendid  roan  Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster  heifer 
Louan  Hill  5th,  then  three  years  old,  at  $2,000.  Wil- 
liam and  W.  Pickrell  bought  Louan  Hill  4th,  a  four- 
year-old  roan,  also  by  Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster,  at 
$1,925,  and  resold  her  to  Col.  Robert  Holloway  for 
$2,225.  Louan  Hill  3d,  a  red-roan  five-year-old 
daughter  of  Sweepstakes  6230,  went  to  L.  B.  Wing 
of  Bement,  HI.,  at  $1,225.  Another  Baron  Booth  of 
Lancaster  heifer,  Caroline  Cochrane  (out  of  an  11th 
Duke  of  Airdrie  cow  tracing  to  imp.  Caroline  by 
Arrow),  was  bought  by  J.  H.  Kissinger  &  Co.  for 
$1,800.  The  red-roan  two-year-old  heifer  Jubilee 
Napier  fell  to  the  bidding  of  A.  E.  Kimberly  at 
$1,600.  She  was  by  imp.  Gen.  Napier  (26239),  the 
Booth  bull  that  Messrs.  Parks  sold  to  Col.  Stephen 
Dunlap  in  1873  for  $5,000  and  bought  back  in  1874 
at  same  price.  The  Caroline,  by  Dashwood,  heifer 
Detura,  another  daughter  of  Baron  Booth  of  Lan- 
caster, was  secured  by  J.  R.  Shelley  at  $1,100.  The 
imported  Booth  cow  Amelia,  bred  by  Messrs.  Dud- 
ding,  was  purchased  by  Thomas  Windle,  Lincoln, 
HI.,  at  $1,025.  Her  yearling  bull  Royal  Baron  18238, 
by  Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster,  was  taken  by  William 
and  W.  Pickrell  at  $1,000. 

At  a  combination  sale  held  at  Bloomington,  HI., 
in  April  Mr.  C.  M.  Niccolls  sold  Princessa  2d,  a  red 
of  Abram  Van  Meter's  breeding,  sired  by  Airdrie 
Duke  5306  out  of  a  Princess  dam,  to  J.  V.  Grigsby 
of  Winchester,  Ky.,  for  $2,000,  the  same  buyer  tak- 
ing Mazurka  of  Lyndale  4th  at  $1,825.    At  the  same 


450  A   HISTORY   OF  SHORT-HORN^   CATTLE 

sale  E.  L.  Davison  of  Kentucky  paid  $1,450  for  Ox- 
ford Gwynne. 

Jacobs'  sale  at  West  Liberty. — At  West  Liberty, 
la.,  April  14,  1875,  occurred  the  sale  of  Mr.  S.  W. 
Jacobs,  the  first  ever  held  at  that  point.  Eighty- 
three  cattle  averaged  $614,  and  the  attendance  was 
estimated  at  1,500.  This  was  one  of  the  memorable 
events  of  the  period.  The  Lady  Sale  Princess  cow 
Maude,  by  Earl  of  Grass  Hill  8071,  was  bid  off  at 
the  extraordinary  price  of  $7,200,  and  her  yearling 
heifer  by  Col.  Wood  13692 — Princess  Maude — at 
$2,800.  Mrs.  Kimberly  gave  $2,025  for  the  fine  show 
heifer  3d  Gem  of  Eryholme,  bred  by  Messrs.  Parks 
and  sired  by  imp.  Gen.  Napier.  D.  M.  Flynn  took 
the  Vellum  heifer  Lady  King  at  $2,025  and  the  mas- 
sive 1,800-lb.  Cruickshank  Secret  cow  imp.  Sylvia, 
by  Champion  of  England — the  great  cow  of  the  sale 
—at  $2,500.  J.  W.  Handley  of  Mount  Vernon,  la., 
bought  Forest  Queen  (of  McMillan's  breeding  and 
sired  by  Plantagenet  6031)  at  $1,550,  and  George 
Chase  bid  off  the  McMillan  cow  Louan  of  Slauson- 
dale  at  $1,100.  M.  Bunker,  Tipton,  la.,  purchased 
the  ''crack''  Kissinger  show  cow  Bettie  Stewart 
(running  to  imp.  Daisy  by  Wild)  at  $1,425,  and  Mrs. 
Kimberly  bought  imp.  Eoyal  Booth  (of  Game  breed- 
ing and  out  of  Malmsey)  for  $1,075,  Scottish  Lady, 
by  Col.  King's  imp.  Scotsman,  at  $1,425,  the  noted 
Kissinger  Caroline  (by  Dashwood)  show  cow  Russie 
Pierce  at  $1,500  and  Fannie  Pierce  of  same  family  at 
$1,100.     C.  S.  Barclay  took  the  roan  show  heifer 


A  GOLDE>T   AGE  451 

British  Baron's  Gem,  by  imp.  British  Baron,  at 
$1,000.  This  was  a  grand  lot  of  cattle.  Many  of  the 
cows  weighed  from  1,600  to  1,800  lbs.  and  were  neat 
as  well  as  large.  As  illustrating  the  character  of  the 
demand  for  Short-horns  at  this  time  Mr.  C.  S.  Bar- 
clay tells  us  that  the  evening  after  this  sale  he  sold 
nearly  $2,000  worth  of  cattle,  some  of  which  were 
bought  by  the  light  of  a  lantern!  The  fact  is  that 
the  only  way  a  man  could  keep  a  cow  in  those  days 
was  to  refuse  to"  price  her.  West  Liberty  became  a 
great  Short-horn  breeding  center,  a  distinction 
which  it  has  ever  since  held. 

Milton  Briggs  of  Kellogg,  la.,  sold  on  the  day 
following  the  West  Liberty  sale  122  head  at  an  aver- 
age of  $308.  This  sale  was  remarkable  for  the  large 
number  sold  and  the  uniformity  of  values  main- 
tained. But  two  animals  passed  the  $1,000  mark, 
one,  Anna  Clark,  at  $1,075,  to  S.  Corbin,  Paris,  Ky.^ 
and  the  other.  Jubilee  of  Spotwood,  at  $1,025,  to  w' 
M.  Blair,  Inland,  la. 

Dexter  Park  auctions.— In  May  a  notable  series 
of  sales  occurred  at  Dexter  Park,  Chicago.  On  the 
19th  some  long  prices  were  again  made  by  the  Prin- 
cess family,  the  occasion  being  the  sale  of  L.  W. 
Towne  of  Clarence,  Mo.  These  were  descendants  of 
the  Lady  Sale  branch  of  the  tribe,  coming  through 
Highland  Maid,  one  of  whose  daughters  brought 
$7,200  at  the  Jacobs  sale  already  mentioned.  Col. 
William  E.  Simms  of  Kentucky  was  the  heaviest 
buyer,  taking  the  three-year-old  Highland  Maid  7th 


452  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOEX    CATTLE 

at  $3,600,  Highland  Maid  otli  at  $1,900  and  High- 
land Maid  4th  at  $1,125.  For  Highland  Maid  8th 
Eobert  Otley  gave  $1,600.  At  this  same  sale  Col. 
Simmes  paid  $1,600  for  Lady  Hester  3d  and  $1,025 
for  Lady  Hester,  both  Lady  Sale  Princesses.  On 
May  20  J.  P.  Sanborn  of  Port  Huron,  Mich.,  received 
$2,600  for  the  Craggs  cow  Duchess  of  Huron,  by  22d 
Duke  of  Airdrie,  from  John  R.  Craig  of  Edmonton, 
Can.,  and  $1,500  from  same  buyer  for  her  dam,  2d 
Duchess  of  Springwood,  then  ten  years  old.  T. 
Hickman  of  Ashland,  Mo.,  gave  $1,025  for  the  Ohio 
Eose  of  Sharon  Crystal  Queen  5th.  A  few  Scotch- 
bred  cattle  were  included  in  this  sale  and  met  with 
fair  appreciation,  the  imported  cow  Wastell  ^s  Jenny 
Lind  7th,  by  Lord  of  the  Isles,  falling  to  Mr.  Heck- 
man's  bidding  at  $800. 

The  Avery  &  Murphy  sale. — On  May  21  Avery  & 
Murphy  of  Port  Huron  followed  with  a  sale  of  sev- 
enty-five head  averaging  $670.  The  yearling  Bates- 
topped  Peri  heifer  Peri  2d  of  Lyndale,  of  Col. 
King's  breeding  and  sired  by  the  $14,000  bull  2d 
Duke  of  Hillhurst,  was  taken  by  S.  W.  Jacobs  of 
Iowa  at  $4,000.  The  18th  Duke  of  Airdrie  cow  Miss 
Wiley  4th  was  bought  by  Col.  Simmes  of  Kentucky 
for  $2,675,  and  the  roan  Miss  Wiley  25th,  by  10th 
Duke  of  Thorndale,  by  same  buyer  at  $1,825.  The 
2d  Louan  of  Glen  Flora  at  $2,350;  the  Ohio  Rose  of 
Sharon  cow  Rose  of  Fairholme  4tli  (of  Judge  Jones' 
breeding)  at  $1,275,  and  the  imported  Kinellar-bred 
Scotch  cow  Wastell 's  Golden  Drop  4th  at  $1,100,  all 


A   GOLDEN^   AGE  453 

fell  to  the  persistent  bidding  of  Col.  Robert  Hollo- 
way.    The  Aberdeenshire  cattle  were  not  well  known 
in  the  West  at  this  time,  but  their  merit  was  begin- 
ning to  win  them  many  friends,  and  at  this  sale  Mrs. 
E.  Byram  of  Abingdon,  111.,  bought  the  Cruickshank 
cow  Michigan  Casket,  by  Senator   (27441)   out  of 
Cactus  by  Champion  of  England,   at   $1,725;   the 
mixed-bred  imp.  Michigan  Daisy  and  Welcome  at 
$1,000  and  $1,025  respectively.    For   the  fine  im- 
ported show  cow  Joan  of  Arc,  of  mixed  English 
breeding,  Albert  Crane  paid  $1,000.    The  23d  Duke 
of  Airdrie  was  sold  at  this  sale  to  J.  P.  Sanborn  for 
$9,600.    On  the  22d  day  of  May  at  same  place  J.  R. 
Shelly  sold  the  Princess  cow  37th  Lady  Sale  of  Put- 
ney to  E.  L.  Davison  of  Kentucky  for  $1,600,  and 
Princess  3d  to  D.  Eichholtz  of  Shannon,  111.,  for 
$1,150.     Also  Mazurka  Duchess  3d  to  Campbell  & 
Chase  of  West  Liberty,  la.,  for  $1,550,  and  the  roan 
Victoria  cow  Venus  to  J.  P.  Sanborn,  Port  Huron, 
Mich.,  for  $1,000. 

Long  Prices  at  Meredith's.— On  May  28  at  Cam- 
bridge City,  Ind.,  S.  Meredith  &  Son  made  a  great 
sale  of  fifty-three  head,  averaging  $829.  It  was  here 
that  the  famous  Woodburn-bred  cow  Mazurka  36th, 
by  Star  of  the  Realm  11021  out  of  Mazurka  31st  by 
12th  Duke  of  Airdrie,  brought  $4,005,  the  buyer 
being  J.  C.  Jenkins  of  Petersburg,  Ky.  Mazurka  of 
Lyndale,  by  17th  Duke  of  Airdrie,  and  her  heifer 
calf  Oakland  Mazurka,  by  2d  Duke  of  Hillhurst, 
were  taken  for  George  Fox  of  Cheshire,  Eng.,  at 


454  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

$3,100  and  $2,500  respectively.  The  Rose  of  Sharon 
cow  Grace  4th,  bred  by  Mr.  William  Warfield  and 
sired  by  Muscatoon  7057  out  of  Grace  by  Airdrie 
2478,  at  $3,000,  and  the  roan  yearling  heifer  Craggs 
Duchess  of  Cambridge,  by  22d  Duke  of  Airdrie,  at 
$2,400,  went  to  John  R.  Craig  of  Canada.  The  red 
Victoria  cow  Valeria,  bred  by  George  Murray  and 
sired  by  17th  Duke  of  Airdrie,  was  taken  by  R.  H. 
Prewitt  of  Kentucky  at  $1,800.  Duchess  Cadenza, 
a  Cypress  cow  by  10th  Duke  of  Thorndale,  and  her 
yearling  heifer  brought  $3,150  from  Benjamin  Sum- 
ner of  Woodstock,  Conn.  The  Young  Mary  cow 
Miss  Washington  3d,  by  the  great  Kentucky  breed- 
ing bull  Airdrie  Duke  5306,  and  her  heifer  calf  Lady 
Geneva,  by  4th  Duke  of  Geneva,  were  taken  by 
James  Mix,  Kankakee,  111.,  at  $2,150.  The  imported 
cow  2d  Lady,  of  F.  H.  Fawkes'  breeding,  went  to 
Ed  lies  at  $1,250.  For  the  show  cow  Maggie  Stone 
(by  Airdrie  Duke  5306  out  of  a  Margaret,  by  Snow- 
ball, dam)  Hon.  Pliny  Nichols  of  West  Liberty,  la., 
gave  $1,000.  Rigdon  Huston  of  Blandinsville,  111., 
bought  the  show  bull  imp.  British  Baron  13557,  of 
Col.  Towneley's  breeding,  then  five  years  old,  for 
$975.  The  Messrs.  Meredith  sold  privately,  after  the 
conclusion  of  the  sale,  the  Bates-bred  5th  Duchess 
of  Springwood  to  Mr.  Craig  for  $2,000. 

Airdrie  Duchesses  at  $18,000  each.— Mr.  Fox,  the 
English  buyer  of  the  Mazurkas  at  this  sale,  bought 
privately  from  Mr.  A.  J.  Alexander  that  excellent 
bull  24th  Duke  of  Airdrie  for  $12,000,  and  the  20th 


A   GOLDEX    AGE  455 

Duchess  of  Airdrie  at  $18,000  for  exportation,  and 
from  Gen.  N.  M.  Curtis  of  Ogdensburg  and  James 
W.  Wadsworth  of  same  place  a  number  of  Prin- 
cesses. About  this  same  time  Mr.  Alexander  sold 
to  E.  H.  Cheney  of  England  the  16th  Duchess  of 
Airdrie  for  $17,000. 

At  a  sale  from  the  herd  of  Mr.  Cochrane,  held  in 
June,  1875,  at  Toronto,  Airdrie  Duchess  5th  was 
bought  by  Avery  &  Murphy  for  $18,000,  and  the 
5th  Duke  of  Hillhurst  by  Mark  S.  Cockrill  of  Ten- 
nessee for  $8,300.  4th  Louan  of  Slausondale  was 
taken  by  B.  B.  Groom  at  $2,850.  Messrs.  Beattie  & 
Miller  sold  some  cattle  at  high  prices  at  same  time, 
receiving  $3,000  for  Princess  of  Oxford  4th,  a  like 
sum  for  Princess  Maud,  $2,200  for  Princess  of  Kaby, 
$2,700  for  Surmise  Duchess  5th,  $2,400  for  Surmise 
Duchess  10th,  $3,100  for  Duchess  of  Eaby,  $4,600  for 
Kirklevington  Princess  2d,  $4,025  for  Kirklevington 
Duchess  8th,  and  $2,300  for  Careless  8th— thirty- 
four  females  averaging  $1,226  each. 

Another  important  transaction  in  the  spring  of 
1875  was  the  purchase  by  Avery  &  Murphy  of  the 
entire  high-priced  herd  of  Col.  L.  G.  Morris,  includ- 
ing five  of  his  purchases  at  New  York  Mills. 

Big  sales  in  the  Blue  Grass.— The  Kentucky  sum- 
mer sales  of  1875  were  well  attended,  and  Eenick, 
Vanmeter  and  Bates  blood  commanded  great  prices. 
At  Ben  F.  Vanmeter 's  twenty  Eose  of  Sharons 
brought  $44,340,  an  average  of  $2,217,  C.  D.  Chenault 
of  Eichmond,  Ky.,  taking  Julia's  Eose  at  $3,900,  and 


456  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HOKX    CATTLE 

H.  P.  Thomson  of  Kentucky  2d  Cambridge  Lady  at 
$5,550.  Poppy  5th  was  bought  for  Earl  Bective  at 
$2,000.  At  the  same  sale  twelve  Red  Roses  (Young 
Marys)  averaged  $890,  Messrs.  Groom  paying  the 
top,  $2,350,  for  Red  Rose  11th.  At  E.  S.  Cunning- 
ham's the  Grooms  paid  $4,150  for  Duchess  of 
Sharon,  and  Messrs.  Meredith  $1,600  for  Rose  of 
AVicken.  At  J.  G.  Kinnaird's  B.  Sumner  of  Con- 
necticut gave  $2,650  for  Oneida  Rose,  Messrs.  Mere- 
dith $2,050  for  Minna  of  Elk  Hill,  and  Emory  Cobb 
$1,600  for  Mazurka  25th.  At  William  Lowry's  J. 
W.  Bean  of  Winchester,  Ky.,  gave  $2,380  for  Val- 
eria. At  Walter  Handy  ^s  Messrs.  Meredith  bought 
4th  Mazurka  of  Chesterfield  at  $3,500^  Mr.  Megibben 
gave  $3,150  for  Peri  of  Clifton  and  B.  Sumner  $2,025 
for  Grace  Sharon.  At  Wesley  Warnock's  $2,675  was 
paid  by  L.  F.  Pierce  of  Kentucky  for  Cambridge 
Rose  3d,  $2,250  by  John  R.  Craig  of  Canada  for 
Duchess  of  Springwood,  and  $1,600  by  J.  H.  Spears 
&  Sons  for  Miss  Wiley  of  Vinewood.  At  J.  C. 
Jenkins'  sale  Mrs.  Jesse  Long  of  Iowa  gave  $2,125 
for  Mazurka  36th,  George  M.  Bedford  $2,500  for  4th 
Louan  of  Oakland  and  $2,000  for  Louan  of  Prospect 
Farm,  E.  K.  Thomas  $2,055  for  Blooming  Heath  2d, 
and  J.  H.  Spears  took  Mazurka  33d  at  $1,650.  Mr. 
Jenkins'  fifteen  head  averaged  $1,274. 

Pushing  the  Princesses. — While  the  champions  of 
this  fine  old  sort  did  not  score  as  dazzling  a  success 
during  this  speculative  era  as  might  have  been  an- 
ticipated in  view  of  Belvedere 's  brilliant  career  and 


A   GOLDEX    AGE  457 

the  conceded  dual-purpose  capacity  of  the  tribe,  still 
they  enlisted  the  support  of  several  daring  spirits 
prominent  in  the  trade  during  these  halcyon  days  of 
Short-horn  prosperity. 

The  American-bred  Princesses  were  all  descended 
from  the  three  imported  cows,  Red  Rose  2d,  Lady 
Sale  2d  and  Tuberose  2d.  Those  tracing  to  Red 
Rose  2d  were  unquestionably  the  best.  Wherever 
they  were  fairly  treated  and  intelligently  bred  they 
displayed  fine  substance,  thick  flesh  and  scale,  as  well 
as  dairy  propensity.  The  Princesses  had  been 
largely  in  the  hands  of  dairymen  in  the  New  Eng- 
land States,  and  were  treated  as  dairy  stock,  devel- 
oping milk  qualities  of  the  highest  order.  The 
Tuberose  branch  manifested  a  tendency  to  present 
dark  noses;  a  point  which  has  never  met  with  the 
favor  of  the  fraternity  of  Short-horn  breeders. 
Prominent  among  those  interested  in  the  Princesses 
in  the  East  about  this  time  may  be  mentioned 
Messrs.  A.  W.  Griswold,  a  New  York  lawyer  who 
had  a  farm  in  Vermont  that  was  in  charge  of  J.  0. 
Sheldon's  old  herdsman,  Mr.  Williams,  one  of  the 
best  men  of  his  profession  England  has  ever  given 
to  this  country;  D.  S.  Pratt,  a  clothing  merchant  at 
Brattleboro,  Vt.,  who  was  in  the  business  purely  as 
a  speculation  and  not  because  of  any  special  love 
for  the  cattle;  the  Messrs.  Winslow  of  Putney,  Vt., 
who  were  practical  farmers  and  dairymen;  the 
Messrs.  Wadsworth  of  Geneseo,  N.  Y. ;  A.  B.  Conger, 
Haverstraw,  N.  Y.;  T.  L.  Harison,  Morley,  N.  Y.; 


458  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOKT-HORN   CATTLE 

Col.  John  B.  Taylor,*  London,  Ont.,  and  Richard 
Gibson  of  Canada,  who  bought  and  exported  a  num- 
ber of  cattle  of  this  tribe  to  England.  These  were 
reinforced  by  Col.  William  S.  King  of  Minnesota, 
Col.  W.  E.  Simms  of  Paris,  Ky.;  B.  B.  Groom,  Win- 
chester, Ky.,  and  others.  In  July,  1875,  Mr.  C.  F. 
Wadsworth,  after  conferring  with  leading  owners  of 
Princesses  throughout  the  country,  issued  a  small 
volume  entitled  "A  Record  of  Princess  Short-horns 
in  America, ''  which,  it  was  expected,  would  assist 
in  building  up  a  Princess  aristocracy  by  separating 
the  pedigrees  of  cattle  of  that  tribe  from  the  great 
mass  of  records  carried  by  the  Short-horn  Herd 
Book.  As  might  have  been  anticipated,  however, 
and  as  was  predicted  by  some  of  the  level  heads  in 
the  Princess  camp,  this  attempt  at  ^'exclusiveness" 
was  resented  by  the  breeders  at  large.  While  long 
prices  were  established  for  a  time  the  manipulations 
of  speculators  failed  to  attain  for  any  extended 
period  their  cherished  object.  In  common  with 
other  tribes  that  were  at  this  time  largely  at  the 
mercy  of  those  who  were  handling  Short-horns  for 
speculative  purposes  only — and  often  with  violent 
disregard  of  correct  principles  and  practice — the 
Princesses  suffered  more  or  less  deterioration;  the 


*Col.  Taylor  was  an  English  army  officer  who  had  serv^ed  with  his 
regiment,  the  Sixtieth  Rifles,  in  the  Crimea.  He  settled  in  Canada  and 
was  made  Deputy  Adjutant-General  in  command  of  the  militia  of  the 
district  in  which  he  resided.  He  bought  a  small  place  near  I.ondon 
and  began  breeding  Short-horns  with  marked  success.  He  was  a  great 
enthusiast  and  one  of  the  closest  students  of  pedigrees  of  his  day. 
Probably  his  greatest  success  was  with  the  Bates  Crag-gs  tribe.  He  died 
a  few  years  since  at  Winnipeg  while  in  command  of  that  military 
district. 


A  GOLDEX   AGE  459 

blame  for  which,  as  in  the  case  of  the  Bates  tribes, 
rested  upon  the  folly  of  reckless  men  rather  than 
upon  the  hapless  cattle  that  were  made  the  subject 
of  egregious  blundering. 

In  August,  1875,  Almon  W.  Griswold  sold  in  the 
historic  Duchess  ring  at  New  York  Mills  five  Prin- 
cesses for  $18,100,  an  average  of  $3,620  each,  the  top 
being  $5,600  for  Lady  Mary  2d  to  Eichard  Gibson 
for  Col.  King.  The  laird  of  Lyndale  also  obtained 
Lady  Mary  at  $4,000  and  Avery  &  Murphy  got  Lady 
Mary  9th  at  $2,200  and  6th  Lady  Sale  of  Brattleboro 
at  $3,300.  Several  Gwynnes — near  kin  to  the  Prin- 
cesses—also sold  well,  Gibson  paying  $3,000  for  one 
and  $1,900  for  another.  '  These  traced  to  Tanque- 
ray's  Minerva  4th,  imported  by  Morris  &  Becar.  At 
this  same  sale  7th  Lord  of  Oxford  17586  fetched 
$3,700  and  Avery  &  Murphy  paid  $3,000  for  Peri  3d. 
The  thirty-three  animals  disposed  of  brought  $56,- 
000,  an  average  of  $1,697. 

As  a  matter  of  fact  the  Gwynnes  of  this  period 
ranked  with  the  best  Short-horns  of  their  time. 
Indeed  for  many  years,  while  the  old  Princess  sort 
and  their  cousins  the  Elviras  and  ^' Js''  were  still  in 
comparative  obscurity,  under  the  skillful  manage- 
ment of  careful  handlers  in  Cumberland  and  the 
North  the  Gwynnes  were  making  Short-horn  his- 
toiy.  Their  intrinsic  merit  and  solid  worth,  their 
grand  flesh  and  scale,  their  finish  and  dairy  quality 
gained  for  the  Gwynnes  the  plaudits  of  the  entire 
country-side  even  in  the  very  heart  of  the  old  Short- 


460  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HOBN   CATTLE 

horn  country.  As  one  after  another  of  these  hand- 
some specimens  of  the  breed  made  their  appearance 
in  the  English  show-yards  and  sale-rings  their 
name  became  a  bye-word,  synonymous  with  sym- 
metry and  persistent  quality.  ' '  The  Gwynnes  can 't 
be  downed/'  an  expression  often  heard  in  those 
days  across  the  Atlantic,  meant  that  no  matter  what 
cross  or  alien  blood  was  resorted  to  the  Gwynne 
character  seemed  to  assert  itself.  Richard  Gibson, 
appreciating  fully  their  position  abroad,  became  an 
ardent  supporter  of  the  tribe  on  this  side,  and  many 
breeders  subsequently  profited  largely  by  the 
presence  of  Gwynne  cows  and  heifers  in  their  pas- 
tures. The  late  Simon  Beattie  offered  Gibson  $4,000 
for  one  specimen  of  the  family  to  be  exported  to 
England. 

At  H.  P.  Thomson's  sale  of  1875  in  Kentucky  six 
Princesses  were  disposed  of  at  a  valuation  of  $15,- 
725,  an  average  of  $2,620.  D.  L.  Hughes  of  Iowa 
took  two,  paying  $4,100  for  Lady  Sale  29th  and 
$1,700  for  2d  Tuberose  of  Grass  Hill.  D.  S.  Pratt 
of  Vermont  acquired  Lady  Sale  29th  on  a  bid  of 
$4,000.  Avery  &  Murphy  paid  $2,500  for  Lady  Sale 
31st.  S.  W.  Jacobs  of  Iowa  bought  Lady  Sale  36th 
at  $1,800  and  John  Collard  of  the  same  State  became 
the  owner  of  6th  Tuberose  of  Brattleboro  at  $1,625. 
At  this  sale  Emory  Cobb  of  Illinois  took  Constance 
of  Putney  4th  at  $1,950,  and  E.  Stedman  of  Massa- 
chusetts bought  Blush  of  Glen  Flora  at  $2,750.  The 
$1,000  mark  was  passed  sixteen  times  during  the 


A  GOLDEN^   AGE  461 

sale,  the  ninety-six  head  sold  fetching  a  total  of 
$53,070,  an  average  of  $553. 

The  Trans-Mississippi  trade. — The  summer  of 
1875  was  a  season  of  sore  trial  and  tribulation  to 
the  farmers  beyond  the  Missouri  River  on  account 
of  the  ravages  of  grasshoppers.  Feed  was  in  short 
supply  in  the  newer  West,  so  when  Mr.  J.  G.  Cowan 
of  Missouri,  the  owner  of  the  $3,000  show  and  breed- 
ing bull  Loudon  Duke  6th  10399,  arranged  for  a  pub- 
lic sale,  to  include  that  distinguished  animal,  it  was 
decided  to  offer  the  stock  at  Ottumwa,  la.  The 
event  occurred  Aug.  18,  and  with  the  exception  of 
the  fine  Young  Mary  cow  Grace  Young  3d  every- 
thing was  taken  by  Iowa  and  Missouri  breeders, 
the  thirty-six  head  commanding  $19,340,  an  average 
of  $537.  Loudon  Duke  6th  was  bid  off  by  E.  Gillis- 
ton  of  Mound  City,  Mo.,  at  $1,950;  S.  W.  Jacobs 
gave  $1,000  for  Loudon's  Minna;  D.  A.  Rouner  of 
Newark,  Mo.,  $1,000  for  Red  Daisy  of  Fairview^5th, 
and  J.  G.  Strawn  of  Illinois,  a  like  sum  for  the  Mary 
cow  above  mentioned. 

In  September,  1875,  D.  M.  Flynn  of  Des  Moines 
made  an  average  of  $699  on  eighteen  head.  D.  L. 
Hughes  of  Vinton  had  opposition  on  Roan  Princess 
up  to  $3,500  and  S.  W.  Jacobs  had  to  carry  the 
Scotch-bred  Minnie's  Annandale  2d  to  $2,000.  For 
Lady  King  the  same  buyer  paid  $1,500.  Dr.  George 
Sprague  of  Des  Moines  sold  nineteen  head  in  con- 
nection with  Mr.  Flynn  that  made  an  average  oi' 
$592.    Red  Daisy  of  Fairview  4th,  that  the  Doctor 


462  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

had  bought  at  the  Cowan  sale  for  $710,  fell  here  to 
D.  L.  Hughes'  bidding  at  $1,550.  For  Oakwood  Miss 
Wiley  John  Collard  paid  $1,100.  2d  Duke's  Gem 
went  to  A.  W.  Thomson  of  Kentucky  at  $1,200. 

At  John  Collard 's  sale  the  red  six-year-old  Scotch- 
bred  imported  cow  Easpberry,  by  Prince  of  Wor- 
cester, was  taken  by  William  Hastie,  Somerset,  la., 
at  $1,200.  For  Lady  Dahlia  the  same  price  was 
given  by  J.  D.  Brown  of  Omaha. 

$3,500  for  a  Scotch  heifer.— Shortly  before  this 
Mrs.  A.  E.  Kimberley  of  West  Liberty,  la.,  had 
broken  the  record  for  Scotch-bred  cattle  by  paying 
J.  H.  Kissinger  $3,500  for  the  celebrated  Cruick- 
shank  show  heifer  imp.  Orange  Blossom  18th. 

Short-horns  were  enjoying  a  great  "boom"  west 
of  the  Mississippi.  Mention  has  been  made  of  some 
of  the  more  notable  purchases  of  Mr.  Albert  Crane 
of  Durham  Park,  Kan.,  at  auction  sales.  About  this 
time,  he  bought  some  Booth-bred  cattle  from  Mr. 
Coffin  of  Maryland,  and  from  F.  W.  Belden,  Kane- 
ville.  111.,  he  secured  for  stock  purposes  the  Booth- 
bred  Hecuba  bull  Lord  of  the  Lake  at  $1,000.  He 
manifested  his  interest  in  Bates  blood,  however,  by 
purchasing  privately  about  this  same  date  from  Mr. 
Alexander  of  AVoodburn  the  white  bull  Lord  Bates 
3d,  by  24th  Duke  of  Airdrie,  at  $1,000. 

Groom  importations  and  sale. — One  of  the  most 
prominent  of  the  breeders  and  importers  of  this 
period  was  Mr.  B.  B.  Groom  of  Vinewood  Farm, 
near  Winchester,  Clark  Co.,  Ky.    In  April,  1875,  the 


A  GOLDE^T   AGE  463 

firm  of  B.  B.  Groom  &  Son  imported  from  England 
thirty-one  head  of  Bates-bred  cattle,  belonging 
mainly  to  families  originated  by  the  Messrs.  Bell; 
included  in  the  shipment  being  the  roan  8th  Maid 
of  Oxford,  of  Sheldon's  breeding,  that  had  been  ex- 
ported to  England  some  years  previous.  In  July 
of  the  same  year  Messrs.  Groom  imported  7th  Maid 
of  Oxford  and  her  bull  calf  and  the  roan  bull  8th 
Duke  of  Geneva  (28390),  both  of  Sheldon's  breed- 
ing. These  had  been  bought  at  Leney's  sale  at 
$10,000  for  the  Duke  and  $3,325  for  the  Oxford  cow 
and  calf.  On  Oct.  14  a  number  of  these  imported 
cattle,  together  with  a  selection  of  American-bred 
stock,  was  offered  at  public  sale,  and  the  event  drew 
out  a  great  attendance  from  all  parts  of  the  United 
States.  The  prices  paid  and  the  wide  distribution 
of  the  animals  indicate  the  remarkable  character  of 
the  demand  at  this  time  for  Short-horns  carrying 
the  Bates  blood.  We  append  herewith  a  summary 
as  to  the  leading  lots,  together  with  the  general 
averages : 

22d  Duchess  of  Airdrie— J.  H,  Spears  &  Sons,  Illinois $17,500 

Kirklevington  Duchess  18th— John  R.  Craig,  Canada 5,150 

Brightness — Benjamin  Sumner,  Connecticut 5,100 

Highland  Maid  6th— J.  C.  Tyler,  Vermont 5,050 

Duchess  of  Clarence— J.  H.  Spears  &  Sons 4,100 

Kirklevington  Lady  6th— Avery  &  Murphy,  Michigan 3,900 

2d  Duchess  of  Clarence— J.  H.  Spears  &  Sons 3,175 

Wild  Eyes  Rose— W.  N.  Offutt,  Kentucky 3,050 

Kirklevington  Lady  3d— J.  V.  Grigsby,  Kentucky 3,000 

Princess  of  Vinewood  1st— D.  L.  Hughes,  Iowa 3,000 

Georgia  Hillhurst  3d— Avery  &  Murphy 2,800 

Duchess  of  Kingscote— J.  V.  Grigsby 2,550 


464  A   HISTORY  OF   SHOKT-HORN   CATTLE 

Kirklevington  Lady  4th — Avery  &  Murphy $  2,550 

Fennel  Duchess  of  Knightley  Hall — T.  J.  Megibben,  Ken- 
tucky   2,500 

2d  Lady  Bates  of  Vinewood — E.  S.  Bussing,  New  York 2,000 

Kirklevington  Lady  5th — Henry  Corbin,  Kentucky 2,000 

Annette  of  Knightley  Hall— John  Collard,  Iowa 2,000 

Wild  Flower  Duchess — N.  G.  Pond,  Connecticut 1,900 

Duchess  of  Knightley  Hall— John  Collard,  Iowa 1,850 

Highland  Maid  7th— D.  L.  Hughes <1,700 

Wild  Eyes  of  Horton  Park- W.  N.  Offutt,  Kentucky 1,700 

Lady  Sale  10th— D.  L.  Hughes 1,600 

Princess  of  Vinewood  2d — J.  V.  Grigsby 1,550 

3d  Lady  Bates  of  Vinewood — E.  S.  Bussing,  New  York.  . .  .  1,500 

Rosa  Bonheur  8th — Avery  &  Murphy 1,400 

Ruby  Duchess- John  R.  Craig 1,225 

Bright  Eyes  9th— T.  Stedman  &  Son,  Massachusetts 1,175 

Duenna  Duchess  7th — J.  H.  Spears  &  Sons 1,125 

Victoria  11th — J.  G.  Cowan,  Missouri 1,050 

Duenna  Duchess  6th — B.  Sumner  &  Co.,  Connecticut 1,050 

Jubilee  Oxford  4th— J.  V.  Grigsby 1,000 

Sanspareil  10th— J.  H.  Spears  &  Sons 1,000 

Oxford  Geneva— D.  L.  Hughes,  Iowa 5,000 

2d  Compton  Lord  Wild  Eyes— John  Collard,  Iowa 2,500 

3d  Duke  of  Under-Edge— John  Collard 2,100 

2d  Duke  or  Under-Edge — Hon.  William  M.  Smith,  Illinois  1,650 

1st  Duke  of  Under-Edge — Mrs.  Jesse  Long,  Iowa 1,050 

64  females   sold   for $109,445;   an  average  of $  1,710 

9  bulls  sold  for 14,015;   an  average  of 1,557 

72  animals  sold  for 123,460;   an  average  of 1,691 

Other  important  transactions. — At  H.  D.  Ayres* 
sale  Mr.  Groom  bought  Hilpa  Ducliess  at  $2,500;  at 
W.  L.  Sudduth's  a  pair  of  Miss  Wasliingtons  (Young 
Marys)  fetched  $2,000;  at  John  W.  Prewitt^s  B.  F. 
Vanmeter  gave  $1,000  for  a  Gentle  Annie  Phyllis, 
and  at  B.  P.  Goff 's  Mr.  J.  H.  Pickrell  took  Bright 
Lady  of  the  Eealm  at  $4,000.  This  Booth  heifer  was 
out  of  Bright  Lady,  the  dam  of  Breastplate. 


A   GOLDEN^   AGE  4g5 

At  Wesley  Waniock's  seventy-three  females  sold 
for  $29,510,  an  average  of  $404,  L.  F.  Pierce  of  Mays- 
ville  giving  $2,675  for  Cambridge  Eose  3d,  John  R. 
Craig  of  Canada  $2,250  for  Duchess  of  Springwood, 
and  J.  H.  Spears  &  Son  $1,600  for  Miss  Wiley  of 
Vinewood.  At  J.  C.  Jenkins'  sale  fifteen  head 
brought  the  great  average  of  $1,274,  Mrs.  Jesse  Long 
of  Iowa  going  to  $2,125  for  Mazurka  36th;  George  M 
Bedford  bid  $2,500  for  4th  Louan  of  Oakland  and 
$2,000  for.  Louan  of  Prospect  Farm;  E.  K.  Thomas 
followed  Blooming  Heath  2d  to  $2,055,  and  J.  H. 
Spears  went  to  $1,650  on  Mazurka  33d. 

Mr.  Warfield  sold  to  John  Comstock  of  Lidiana  the 
bull  calf  Loudon  Duke  12th,  by  imp.  Eobert  Napier, 
at  $l,oOO.  Gen.  Meredith  &  Son  bought  3d  Mazurka 
at  $2,000,  Julia  3d  at  $1,000  and  Martha  Muscatoon 
at  $1,000  from  C.  M.  Xiccolls,  Bloomington,  111. 

AU  records  broken  at  Dunmore.— On  Wednesday, 
Aug.  25,  1875,  the  greatest  average  ever  made  at  an 
auction  sale  of  cattle  in  the  world  was  obtained  by 
Lord  Dunmore  at  a  draft  sale  held  on  the  EarPs 
estate,  near  Stirling,  Scotland,  upon  which  occasion 
thirty-nine  head  brought  the  enormous  total  of  $149,- 
336,  an  average  of  $3,829  on  the  entire  lot.  It  was 
here  also  that  the  greatest  price  ever  obtained  for  a 
bull  of  any  breed  was  paid,  to-wit:  4,500  gs.,  which 
reduced  to  American  gold  at  that  date  was  the  equiv- 
alent of  $26,904,  the  bull  being  Duke  of  Connaught 
(33604)  of  the  Bates  Duchess  tribe. 
It  is  of  special  interest  to  American  breeders  to 


466  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

note  that  the  best  price  made  at  this  sale  by  a  female 
was  by  a  representative  of  the  Renick  Eose  of 
Sharon  family,  and  that  the  sire  of  Duke  of  Con- 
naught  was  the  American-bred  Duke  of  Hillhurst 
(28401),  that  was  bred  by  Hon.  M.  H.  Cochrane  from 
the  14th  Duke  of  Thorndale  (28459).  Furthermore, 
the  high-priced  Oxford  females  sold  were  the  prod- 
uce of  the  8th  and  11th  Maids  of  Oxford,  bred  in 
New  York  and  exported  in  1871.  In  addition  to  this 
the  second  highest-priced  bull  of  the  sale — and  the 
sire  of  a  number  of  the  most  valuable  heifers 
offered — was  the  American-bred  3d  Duke  of  Hill- 
hurst (30975),  by  6th  Duke  of  Geneva  (30959). 

The  case  of  Duke  of  Connaught  is  unique  in  the 
annals  of  stock-breeding  for  the  reason  that  he 
proved  to  be  one  of  the  most  successful  sires  of  high- 
class  Short-horns  ever  used  in  Great  Britain,  and  so 
great  was  the  demand  for  stock  of  his  get  on  account 
of  their  conceded  excellence  that  the  buyer  of  the 
bull,  Lord  Fitzhardinge  of  Berkeley  Castle,  Glouces- 
tershire, received  in  stud  fees  and  for  Connaught 
calves  an  aggregate  sum  of  money  which  more  than 
reimbursed  him  for  his  extraordinary  outlay  at  Dun- 
more.  This  was  indeed  an  outstanding  example  of 
the  fact  that  if  one  is  certain  of  his  premises  in  seek- 
ing to  estimate  the  probable  value  of  a  stock  bull  it 
is  difficult  to  place  any  limit  within  reasonable 
bounds  upon  the  price  to  be  paid. 

This  sale  was  conducted  by  Mr.  John  Thornton, 
whose  maiden  effort  on  the  auction  block  had  been 


A   GOLDE^T    AGE  467 

made  at  Rugby  in  1868,  in  the  employ  of  the  Rev. 
John  Storer  of  Hellidon.*  A  list  of  the  animals  that 
brought  $2,000  or  upward  is  presented  below,  the 
English  values  being  reduced  to  their  current  equiv- 
alent in  American  gold : 

cows    AND    HEIFERS. 

Red  Rose  of  the  Isles,  red,  calved  March  9,  1870;  bred  by 
Abram  Renick,  Kentucky;  got  by  Airdrie  2478,  dam 
Duchess  3d  by  Dandy  Duke — Lord  Bective $11,658 

Marchioness  of  Oxford  3d,  white,  calved  March  3,  1873;  got 
by  2d  Duke  of  Collingham  (23730)  out  of  8th  Maid  of 
Oxford  by  2d  Duke  of  Geneva — Duke  of  Manchester. .   10,821 

Red  Rose  of  Balmoral,  red,  calved  Nov.  17,  1873;  got  by  3d 
Duke  of  Hillhurst  (30975)  out  of  the  Rose  of  Sharon 
cow  Red  Rose  of  Braemar  by  11th  Duke  of  Thorndale 
— Lord  Bective 7,852 

Oxford  Duchess  2d,  roan,  calved  June  20,  1872;  got  by  2d 
Duke  of  Collingham  (23730)  out  of  11th  Lady  of  Ox- 
ford by  Baron  of  Oxford  (23371)— Lord  Fitzhardinge.     5,978 

Fuchsia  12th,  roan,  calved  Feb.  15,  1872;  got  by  Duke  of 
Albany  (25931)  out  of  Fuchsia  10th  by  Grand  Duke  of 
York  (24071)— T.  Lister 5,380 

Water  Flower,  red-and-white,  calved  Dec.  20,  1871;  got  by 
6th  Duke  of  Geneva  (30959)  out  of  Waterloo  38th  by 
Earl  of  Eglinton  (23832)— T.  Halford 3,706 

Lady  Worcester  5th,  roan,  calved  March  30,  1869;  got  by 
3d  Duke  of  Claro  (23729)  out  of  Lady  Worcester  2d 
by  Charleston    (21400)— A.  H.  Brassey 3,706 


*TIie  Hellidon  sale  was  indeed  a  red-letter  day  in  Mr.  Thornton's 
career.  Storer  was  quite  an  authority  on  Short-horns  at  that  time  and 
actively  identified  with  the  fortunes  of  the  Booths.  In  common  with 
Messrs.  Torr,  Aylmer,  Booth  and  their  friends  Mr.  Storer  felt  that  Straf- 
ford, who  was  at  this  date  the  presiding  genius  at  all  the  great  Short- 
horn sales,  was  too  active  in  behalf  of  the  breeders  of  Bates  cattle. 
Thornton  was  in  Strafford's  employ,  and  the  idea  of  encouraging  a  paid 
helper  to  usurp  the  throne  of  his  employer  was  an  unheard-of  thing  in 
England  among  such  conservative  men  of  means  as  were  represented 
by  the  backers  of  the  Booths.  Nevertheless  the  Booth  men  brought 
Thornton  out  at  the  Hellidon  sale,  and,  although  it  was  his  first  attempt 
with  the  sand  glass,  he  proved  his  fitness  for  the  work  by  keeping  cool 
even  under  circumstances  calculated  to  excite  an  old  hand. 


4()8  A   HISTORY    OF   SUOKT-HOKX    CATTLE 

Blytliesome  Eyes,  red,  calved  Dec.  22,  1874;  got  Cd  Duke 
of  Hillhurst  (30975)  out  of  Wild  Eyes  Duchess  by  9th 
Grand  Duke  (19879)— Lord  Bective $  3,617 

Fuchsia  13th,  roan,  calved  March  4th,  1872;  got  by  Duke 
of  Albany  (25931)  out  of  Fuchsia  9th  by  Grand  Duke 
of  York  (24071)— J.  W.  Larking 3,888 

Lady  Worcester  12th,  white,  calved  Nov.  15,  1872;  got 
by  8th  Duke  of  Geneva  (28290)  out  of  Lady  Worces- 
ter 5th  by  3d  Duke  of  Claro  (23729)— Lord  Bective.  . .     3,318 

Lady  Worcester  11th,  white,  calved  Oct.  2,  1872;  got  by 
3d  Duke  of  Claro  (23729)  out  of  Lady  Worcester  3d 
by  3d  Duke  of  Wharf  dale  (21619)— Duke  of  Manches- 
ter         3,283 

Lady  Worcester  16th,  roan,  calved  May  23,  1875;    got  by 

3d  Duke  of  Hillhurst  (30975)— Lord  Bective 3,28S 

Water  Lily,  red,  calved  June  25,  1874;  got  by  3d  Duke  of 

Hillhurst— T.  Halford   3,108 

Wild  Eyes  Duchess,  red,  calved  Feb.  3,  1865;   got  by  9th 

Grand  Duke   (19879)— T.  Yvilson 2,869 

Wild  Eyebright,  roan,  calved   Sept.   10,  1872;    got  by   6th 

Duke  of  Geneva  (30959)— T.  Wilson 2,720 

Lady  Worcester  13th,  red-and-white,  calved  Jan.  28,  1874; 

got  by  3d  Duke  of  Hillhurst   (30975)— George  Fox...     2,690 

Lady  Worcester  9th,  red-and-white,  calved  Aug.  19,  1871; 

got  by  3d  Duke  of  Claro  (23729)— Mr.  Brogden 2,630 

Hazel  Eyes,  roan,  calved  Nov.  30,  1874;   got  by  3d  Duke 

of  Hillhurst   (30975)— H.  J.  Sheldon 2,390 

Lady  Worcester  15th,  red,  calved  Feb.  1,  1875;   got  by  3d 

Duke  of  Hillhurst  (30975)— R.  Loder 2,152 

Fuchsia  14th,  roan,  calved  March  19,  1874;  got  by  Duke  of 

Albany   (25931)— Mr.  Lister   2,152 

Wild  Rose,  red-and-white,  calved  Feb.  2,  1872;   got  by  6th 

Duke  of  Geneva  (30959)— Col.  Kingscote 2,092 

Sparkling  Eyes,  red-and-white,  calved  Nov.  18,  1873;    got 

by  6th  Duke  of  Geneva  (30959)— Lord  Feversham 2,092 

BULLS. 

Duke  of  Connaught  (33604),  roan,  calved  Aug.  10,  1873; 
got  by  Duke  of  Hillhurst  (28401)  out  of  Duchess  108th 
by  8th  Duke  of  York  (28480)— Started  at  $10,000  and 
sold  to  Lord  Fitzhardinge $26,904 


A  GOLDEX    AGE  469 

3d  Duke  of  Hillhurst  (30975),  red,  calved  Dec.  2,  1871; 
got  by  6th  Duke  of  Geneva  (30959)  out  of  Duchess 
101st  by  4th  Duke  of  Thorndale  (17750)— Started  at 
$5,000  and  sold  to  J.  W.  Larking $17,936 

30  females  sold  for $98,457.28;   an  average  of $3,281.91 

9  bulls  sold  for 50,878.73;   an  average  of 5,653.19 

39  animals  sold  for   ..149,236.01;   an  average  of 3,829.13 

Torr's  Triumph. — While  the  Bates  flag  fluttered 
this  defiance  from  its  stronghold  in  the  North,  the 
broad  pennant  of  the  Booths  was  spread  upon  the 
autumn  breeze  from  a  moated  manor  house  in  Lin- 
colnshire, where,  under  the  guidance  of  the  squire 
of  Warlaby  in  person,  the  challenge  met  with  a  re- 
sponse that  reverberated  throughout  the  Short-horn 
cattle-breeding  world. 

Torr  of  Aylesby  was  dead.  AVarlaby  had  been 
passing  through  the  fiery  furnace  of  epidemic  foot- 
and-mouth,  and  now  leaned  for  support  upon  the 
great  herd  which  the  genius  of  "the  first  farmer  of 
England"  had  builded  by  thirty  years  of  unwaver- 
ing devotion  to  Booth  bulls.  "The  well-knit  frame, 
the  cheery  sun-at-noonday  smile,  the  organizing 
head,  the  dauntless,  warm  heart  whence  welled  un- 
flagging energy,  determined  perseverance,  eloquent 
speech  and  endless  hospitality"  was  to  be  seen  no 
more  about  the  picturesque  cottage  or  among  the 
fine  old  trees  of  Aylesby,  but  the  results  of  a  long 
and  useful  life  were  in  striking  evidence  in  those 
rich  East  Anglian  pastures.  When  it  came  to  be 
known,  therefore,  that  the  herd  was  to  pass  at 
auction  on  the  2d  day  of  September,  1875,  beneath 


470  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE       * 

the  shifting  sands  of  Thornton's  fateful  glass,*  the 
very  flower  of  England's  Short-horn  chivalry  assem- 
bled to  do  honor  to  the  memory  of  one  of  the  most 
striking  personalities  British  agriculture  has  devel- 
oped. Indeed  the  fame  of  Aylesby,  its  Short-horns, 
its  Leicesters,  its  ponies  and  its  well-kept  fields  had 
extended  to  the  four  corners  of  the  earth.  The  story 
of  how  the  great  tenant-farmer  had  begun  by  leasing 
Leonard  in  1844;  of  his  persistent  hiring  of  Mr. 
Booth's  best  sires;  of  his  recourse  to  the  Mantalinis 
of  Barnes  of  Westland,  Ireland,  while  Warlaby  was 
contending  with  disease;  of  his  creation  of  the 
Bright,  Flower,  the  "G,''  the  "M"  and  other  famous 
Eiby  and  Aylesb}^  families,  was  familiar  to  all  the 
well-informed  cattle-breeders  in  Europe,  America 
and  Australia.  Hence  it  came  to  pass  that  when  the 
dispersion  of  the  herd  was  announced  visitors  from 
far  and  near  gathered  literally  by  the  thousands. 
Luncheon  had  been  set  for  1,500  guests,  a  great  can- 
vas accommodating  2,000  people  was  provided,  and 
yet  the  crowds  overflowed  all  Aylesby  and  vicinity. 
Great  landed  proprietors  and  peers  of  the  realm 
mingled  with  eminent  breeders,  all  intent  upon  show- 
ing their  respect  and  love  for  the  man  who  had  ac- 
complished so  much  for  his  country's  good.  Factors, 
herdsmen  and  agents  mingled  with  the  throng, 
eagerly  examining  the  cattle  and  making  notes  on 
the   various   lots   preparatory   to   laying   bids   for 


♦The  English  auctioneer  uses  a  sand-glass  in  closing  bids.  After 
due  warning  the  glass  is  held  aloft  and  the  sand  allowed  to  run.  The  last 
bid  in  before  the  upper  chamber  of  the  glass  empties  itself  into  the 
bottom  secures  the  animal.  • 


A   GOLDEN   AGE  471 

absent  principals.  It  was,  in  brief,  a  scene  that  has 
had  few  parallels  in  agricultural  history;  and  the 
disposition  of  eighty-five  head  of  Torr  's  own  produc- 
tion for  the  great  sum  of  $243,144.57  must  be  re- 
garded, all  things  considered,  as  the  most  remark- 
able result  ever  yet  worked  out  by  an  individual 
breeder  of  Short-horns  or  any  other  class  of  cattle. 

Mr.  Torr  had  once  remarked,  ''It  takes  thirty 
years  to  make  a  herd  and  bring  it  to  one's  notion 
of  perfection. ' '  Fortunately  for  himself  and  for  the 
breed  he  lived  to  exactly  that  limit  from  the  date 
when  he  first  began  his  final  breeding  operations 
with  Booth  bulls  as  sires.  He  sought  to  produce 
animals  combining  superior  quality,  with  faultless 
pedigree,  uniformity  of  character  and  "hard,  nay, 
iron  constitutions. ' '  He  bred  for  oblique  shoulders, 
great  fore  ribs,  strong  loins,  and  heavy  flesh  possess- 
ing mellowness  without  softness,  and  covered  with 
abundance  of  furry  hair;  avoided  at  all  times  what 
is  generally  referred  to  as  "  loose  handling. ' '  To  his 
sound  judgment,  his  unequaled  knowledge  and  ex- 
perience, his  unchangeable  determination  to  keep  his 
best  "even  when  tempted  by  the  golden  hand  of 
fashion"  may  be  attributed  the  fact  that  his  herd 
at  the  time  of  his  death  was  called  "the  best  large 
herd  in  Britain. ' ' 

Torr's  favorite  family  was  the  Flower  sort,  de- 
scended in  the  maternal  line  from  Robert  Colling's 
Wildair;  whose  own  brother.  Phenomenon  (491) — 
the  sire  of  Angelina,  the  dam  of  Belvedere — was 


472  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

counted  at  Barmpton  a  better  bull  than  Comet.  The 
Aylesby  Flowers  traced  to  Wildair  through  the 
famous  roan  Nonpareil,  the  highest-priced  cow  at 
Robert  Colling 's  sale  of  1818 — sold  to  Earl  Spencer 
at  370  guineas.  The  tribe  came  into  Mr.  Torr's 
hands  in  1841  through  Flora  of  Farnsfield,  by 
Rinaldo  (4949),  a  bull  of  Booth  blood.  The  great 
cow  Highland  Flower  (see  sale  list  below)  was  of 
this  family.    The  five  head  sold  averaged  $2,880. 

The  Ribys  and  Brights  went  back  to  Booth's  Anna, 
by  Pilot,  through  Rose,  a  cow  bought  by  Whitaker 
at  the  Studley  sale  of  1834.  Rose  had  two  daughters. 
White  Rose,  by  James  Chrisp's  Bull,  and  Red  Rose, 
by  Scrip  (2604).  The  Brights  came  from  the  former 
and  the  Ribys  from  the  latter.  Although  several 
crosses  of  extraneous  blood  intervened  in  the  breed- 
ing of  these  Aylesby  Annas  between  the  Whitaker 
purchase  of  1834  and  the  subsequent  return  to  War- 
laby  lines  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Torr  in  1851  the  re- 
uniting of  the  Booth  current  proved  a  happy  stroke. 
Mr.  T.  C.  Booth  took  advantage  of  the  Aylesby  dis- 
persion to  rejuvenate  the  herd  at  Warlaby  by  trans- 
ferring the  best  of  this  sort  to  his  own  pastures.  For 
Bright  Empress  he  was  forced  to  pay  the  record 
price  of  $12,900 — the  highest  ever  given  for  a  cow 
of  any  breed  at  auction  up  to  that  date  in  Great 
Britain.  The  twenty-two  Annas  made  the  astound- 
ing average  of  $4,180  each. 

Mr.  Torres  ''G''  and  "M"  tribes— so  called  from 
the  fact  that  those  were  the  initial  letters  used  re- 


A   GOLDEN    AGE  473 

spectively  in  the  family  nomenclature — had  a  com- 
mon origin  in  the  herd  of  Mr.  Robson.  The  ancestral 
dam  of  the  "Gs"  was  Golden  Beam,  and  of  the 
"  Ms  "  Moonbeam,  both  bought  about  1840  and  sired 
by  Prince  Comet  (1342).  The  strongly-bred  War- 
laby  bulls  made  a  great  impression  upon  this  sound 
old  foundation,  producing  many  good  Short-horns. 
The  ''Beams"  were  reduced  to  but  seven  head  at 
the  sale,  but  made  an  average  of  $1,530  each,  the 
"M"  cow  Mountain  Vale  fetching  $2,500  from  the 
Earl  of  Tankerville. 

Although  a  devout  believer  in  Booth  blood  Torr 
had  an  eye  for  a  good  beast  however  bred.  He  was 
impressed  at  the  Bates  dispersion  sale  by  the  excel- 
lence of  the  Waterloos.  Mr.  Bates  had  bred  and 
sold  to  Rev.  T.  Cator  Waterloo  3d,  by  Norfolk,  from 
which  Mr.  Cator  had  Water  Witch,  by  4th  Duke  of 
Northumberland  (3649).  The  last-named. cow  was 
bought  by  Mr.  Torr  in  1845,  and  from  her  a  large 
and  meritorious  family  of  Booth-topped  Waterloos 
descended.  In  the  herd  catalogue  for  1868  no  less 
than  forty  cows  and  heifers  were  included.  At  the 
sale  of  1875  twenty-one  head  brought  an  average  of 
$1,275  each.* 

Several  other  families,  including  the  Tellurias — 
descended  from  a  cow  of  that  name  bred  by  Earl 


*Mr.  Torr  regarded  Bates'  Duke  of  Northumberland  (940)  as  the 
"best  show  bull"  he  ever  saw.  It  is  related  that  he  once  went  to  Kirk- 
levlngton  to  hire  the  4th  Duke  of  Northumberland,  believing  him  to  be 
even  a  better  bull  than  the  first  Duke.  An  agreement  as  to  price  was 
made,  but  Mr.  Bates  added  the  stipulation  that  the  bull  must  not  serve 
more  than  twenty-five  cows.  Torr  replied  that  he  was  willing  to  pay 
the  price  asked,  but  could  not  pei^mit  such  a  restriction  upon  his  use. 


474  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Spencer  and  sold  to  Col.  Towneley — were  included  in 
the  herd  at  the  time  of  the  sale,  but  we  have  not 
space  to  supply  details  concerning  them. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  such  animals  only  as 
brought  $3,000  or  upward  at  this  extraordinary  sale. 
As  in  the  case  of  the  foregoing  report  of  the  Dun- 
more  sale,  the  English  prices  are  reduced  to  their 
equivalent  in  American  gold,  which  was  at  that  date 
at  a  premium  which  rendered  the  English  guinea 
worth  $5.9787: 

cows    AND    HEIFERS. 

Bright  Empress,  roan,  calved  July  19,  1871;  got  by  Lord 
Napier  (26688)  out  of  Bright  Queen  by  Fitz-Clarence 
(14552)— Started  at  $5,000,  sold  to  T.  C.  Booth,  War- 
laby  $12,914 

Bright  Saxon,  roan,  calved  Feb.  22,  1872;  got  by  Royal 
Prince  (27384)  out  of  Bright  Spangle  by  Prince  of 
Warlaby  (15107)— T.  C.  Booth 8,997 

Highland  Flower,  roan,  calved  Aug.  6,  1868;  got  by  Moun- 
tain Chief  (20383)  out  of  Clarence  Flower  by  Fitz- 
Clarence  (14552)— Rev.  T.  Staniforth 8,938 

Riby  Marchioness,  roan,  calved  March  31,  1875;  got  by 
Knight  of  the  Shire  (26552))  out  of  Riby  Peeress  by 
Breastplate    (19337)— Mr.   Crosby  of  Ireland 7,533 

Bright  Marchioness,  white,  calved  July  20,  1871;  got  by 
Lord  Napier  (25688)  out  of  Bright  Countess  by  Breast- 
plate   (19337)— H.   Chandos  Pole-Gell 7,084 

Bright  Spangle,  roan,  calved  March  8,  1866;  got  by  Prince 
of  Warlaby  (15107)  out  of  Bright  Dew  by  British 
Prince   (14197)— T.  C.  Booth 6,307 

At  that  time  he  had  abovit  thirty  cows  and  heifers.  Bates  repeated  : 
"I  should  not  like  him  to  be  put  to  more  than  twenty-five  cows,"  where- 
upon Mr.  Torr  dropped  the  matter,  saying :  "Very  well,  Mr.  Bates,  you 
have  got  your  bull  and  I  have  got  my  money."  It  is  recorded  that  Mr. 
Torr  had  expressed,  along  with  many  other  of  Mr.  Bates'  visitors  that 
year,  an  admiration  for  his  three  cows  by  Whitaker's  Norfolk.  These 
estimates  did  not  meet  with  Mr.  Bates'  approval,  and  he  finally  sold  two 
out  of  the  three,  to-wit. :  Blanche  2d  and  Waterloo  3d,  as  some  alleged, 
"to  get  rid  of  the  eulogy." 


A   GOLDEX    AGE  475 

^ight  Baroness,  roan,  calved  Aug.  21,  1870;  got  by  Lord 
Napier  (26688)  out  of  Bright  Countess  by  Breast- 
plate (19337)— Mr.  Mitchell  of  Scotland $  5,978 

Bright  Design,  roan,  calved  Feb.  7,  1875;  got  by  Knight 
of  the  Shire  (26552)  out  of  Bright  Spangle  by  Prince 
of  Warlaby  (15107)— T.  C.  Booth 5,081 

Heather  Flower,  roan,  calved  July  10,  1871;  got  by  Lord 
Napier  (26688)  out  of  Highland  Flower  by  Mountain 
Chief  (20382)— Rev.  Mr.  Staniforth 5,978 

Bright  Dowager,  red,  little  white,  calved  Nov.  12,  1873; 
got  by  Duke  of  York  (23804)  out  of  Bright  Queen  by 
Fitz-Clarence    (14552)— B.   St.  John  Ackers 4,812 

Riby  Pearl,  white,  calved  Jan.  1,  1874;  got  by  Knight  of 
the  Shire  (26552)  out  of  Riby  Peeress  by  Breastplate 
— Hugh  Aylmer  4,643 

Bright  Jewel,  roan,  calved  Feb.  1,  1874;  got  by  Knight  of 
the  Shire  (26552)  out  of  Bright  Spangle  by  Prince  of 
Warlaby   (15107)— T.  C.  Booth 4,633 

Flower  of  Germany,   red,   calved  A.pril   13,   1869;    got  by 

Breastplate   (19337)— T.  H.  Miller 4,543 

Lowland  Flower,  roan,  calved  April  12,  1871;  got  by  Man- 
fred  (26801)— B.  St.  John  Ackers. 4,782 

Foreign  Queen,  roan,  calved  March  7,  1873;  got  by  Blink- 
hoolie  (23428)  out  of  Foreign  Empress  by  Fitz-Royal 
(26167)— Mr.  Crosby  of  Ireland 4,812 

Bright  Queen,  red-and-white,  calved  July  19,  1864;  got  by 
Fitz-Clarence  (14552)  out  of  Bright  Princess— Lady 
Pigot  4,484 

Riby  Empress,  red,  calved  Nov.  4,  1872;   got  by  Duke  of 

York  (23804)— J.  W.  &  E.  Cruickshank,  Scotland 4,484 

Flower  Alpine,  red-and-white,  calved  Oct.  11,  1870;  got  by 

Lord  Napier  (26688)— Mr.  McCulloch,  Australia 4,244 

Fair  Saxon,  red-and-white,  calved  March  11,  1869;  got  by 

Breastplate  (19337)— B.  St.  John  Ackers 4,185 

Flower  of  Holland,  red,  little  white,  calved  Aug.  8,  1871; 

got  by  Breastplate  (19337)— Mr.  Wardle 4,065 

Riby  Lassie,  red,  calved  May  7,  1869;   got  by  Blinkhoolie 

(23428)  out  of  Riby  Countess— T.  C.  Booth 3,7S6  ' 

Riby  Peeress,  roan,  calved  Sept.  18,  1865;  got  by  Breast- 
plate (19337)  out  of  Riby  Queen— T.  C.  Booth 3,587 


-J-76  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORX    CATTLE 

Bright   Swede,   roan,   calved   July   23,   1874;    got  by   Lord 

Cain  (31630)  out  of  Bright  Saxon— Mr.  Wilson $  3,587 

Flower  of  Belgium,   roan,   calved  June   17,   1872;    got   by 

Royal  Prince  (27394)— Mr.  Phillips 3,587 

Foreign  Beauty,  roan,  calved  Feb.  26,  1875;  got  by  Knight 

of  the  Shire  (26552)— Hugh  Aylmer 3,108 

Warluck,  red,  calved  Feb.  25,  1871;  got  by  Lord  Napier 
(26688)  out  of  a  Waterloo  dam— Mr.  McCulloch,  Aus- 
tralia       3,108 

Flower  of  the  Rhine,  roan,  calved  June  12,  1874;    got  by 

Knight  of  the  Shire  (26552)— Sir  William  S=  Maxwell     3,049 

Mountain  Vale,   red-and-white,   calved   Feb.   14,   1869;    got 

by  Blinkhoolie  (23428)— Mr.  Wilson 3,079 

BULLS. 

Riby  Knight,  roan,  calved  April  14,  1874;  got  by  Knight 
of  the  Shire  (26552)  out  of  Riby  Lassie  by  Blink- 
hoolie   (23428)— J.  Marshall  of  New  Zealand 4,185 

Fandango,  roan,  calved  July  6,  1872;  got  by  Royal  Prince 
(27384)  out  of  Flower  of  Germany  by  Breastplate 
(19337)— Sir  William  S.  Maxwell 4,185 

Balmoral,  roan,  calved  Feb.  17,  1875;  got  by  Knight  of  the 
Shire  (26552)  out  of  Bright  Queen  by  Fitz-Clarence 
(14552)— Rev.  J.  N.  Micklethwaite 4,185 

Lord  Lamech,  roan,  calved  Nov.  21,  1874;  got  by  Knight  of 
the  Shire  (26552)  out  of  Lady  Adah  by  Killerby  Monk 
(20053)— J.  H.  Pickrell,  Harristown,  111.,  U.  S.  A....     3,348 

72  females  sold  for. .  .$215,585.30;   an  average  of $2,994.25 

13  bulls  sold  for 27,558.27;   an  average  of 2,119.87 

85  animals  sold  for..   243,144.57;  an  average  of 2,860.52 

Additional  importations. — Mr.  J.  H.  Pickrell,  who 
was  among  the  Americans  present  at  the  English 
sales  of  1875,  made  two  shipments  for  account  of 
himself  and  Mr.  J.  H.  Kissinger  of  Missouri.  The 
first,  which  came  out  from  London  in  August  along 
with  some  Clydesdale  horses,  long-wooled  and  South- 
down sheep  and  Berkshire  pigs,  included  some  first- 
class  heifers  from  the  noted  herd  of  Messrs.  Hosken 


A   GOLDEX    AGE  477 

of  Cornwall,  a  pair  of  roan  Booth  heifers  from  Hugh 
Aylmer  of  AVest  Dereham  Abbey,  Norfolk,  and  two 
Bates-bred  yearlings  from  J.  W.  Larking,  one  a  bull 
and  the  other  a  heifer,  and  both  sired  by  Grand  Duke 
of  Geneva  (28756).  The  second  shipment  was  made 
from  Glasgow  in  September  and  included  Mr.  Pick- 
relPs  purchases  at  the  Torr  sale,  the  $3,350  roan  bull 
Lord  Lamech,  the  red-and-white  bull  calf  Flower 
Lad,  the  red  "G''  cow  Germania,  the  roan  AYaterloo 
heifer  AYaterloo  Shield,  by  Knight  of  the  Shire 
(26552),  and  the  red  bull  calf  2d  Marquis  of  AVorces- 
ter  of  the  Bates  Wild  Eyes  tribe  from  Dunmore 
at  $900. 

Messrs.  Cochrane,  Beattie  and  Hope  of  Canada  im- 
ported in  October,  1875,  twenty-five  head,  mainly 
of  Bates  breeding;  and  on  the  same  steamer  four 
females  were  shipped  to  S.  R.  Streator  of  Cleveland, 
0.,  and  six  for  Albert  Crane,  a  Chicago  capitalist 
owning  the  Durham  Park  Ranch  in  Kansas.  In 
November  eleven  head  were  imported  by  Mr.  Robert 
Ashburner  of  California. 

Coming  events  were  already  beginning  to  cast  por- 
tentous shadows  before.  Even  while  speculation  in 
stock  of  the  Bates  and  Booth  tribes  was  at  its  very 
heighth  shrewd  and  practical  men  were  turning  their 
attention  to  the  herds  of  Scotland,  hitherto  little 
known  in  America.  Li  1874  Mr.  Robert  Milne,  a 
former  neighbor  and  friend  of  Amos  Cruickshank  of 
Aberdeenshire,  had  imported  a  half-dozen  females 
and  the  bull  Viscount  18507  from  the  Cruickshank 


478  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

herd.  Favorably  impressed  by  these  Messrs.  Low- 
man  &  Smith  of  Toulon,  111.,  imported  during  the 
summer  of  1875  seven  females  from  North  Britain, 
including  two  Cruickshank  Butterflys  and  a  Missie 
from  the  herd  of  Mr.  Marr  of  Uppermill;  but  of 
these  more  anon. 

Another  Renick  exportation. — Prominent  English 
dealers  in  cattle  of  the  Bates  blood  continued  to  set 
a  high  valuation  upon  Mr.  Eenick's  Rose  of  Sharon s, 
and  in  August,  1875,  an  additional  shipment  selected 
by  Simon  Beattie,  consisting  of  seven  cows  and 
heifers,  Avas  made  on  an  order  from  Earls  Dunmoro 
and  Bective  at  a  reported  price  of  $25,000.  The 
Dunmore  purchase  consisted  of  the  roan  cow  Poppy 
5th,  by  13th  Duke  of  Airdrie ;  Norah  7th,  by  4th  Duke 
of  Geneva,  and  Duchess  17th,  by  same  sire,  which 
were  in  England  christened  respectively  Bed  Eose 
of  Luskentyre,  Bed  Rose  of  Dalmally  and  Red  Rose 
of  Killigray.  Lord  Bective  took  for  his  herd  at  Un- 
derley  Hall  Rosebud  10th,  Duchess  16th  and  Lenora 
2d,  all  by  4th  Duke  of  Geneva,  and  Poppy  11th,  by 
Airdrie  3d.  These  were  also  given  titles  on  the  other 
side,  in  the  order  mentioned,  to  correspond  with  the 
English  Red  Rose  nomenclature  as  follows:  Red 
Rose  of  Tweeddale,  Red  Rose  of  Annandale,  Red 
Rose  of  Nithsdale  and  Red  Rose  of  Eskdale. 

North  Elkhom  (Ky.)  importation.— On  Oct.  16, 
1875,  a  sale  of  seventy-nine  head  was  made  by  the 
North  Elkhorn  Co.  in  Kentucky,  which  resulted  in 
an  average  of  $652  per  head.     This  company  had 


A   GOLDEN^    AGE  479 

made  an  importation  of  more  than  forty  head  from 
England  in  May,  1875,  the  cattle  being  selected  by 
Messrs.  Richardson  &  Boswell  acting  as  agents  for 
the  company.  Some  of  the  animals  of  this  importa- 
tion afterward  acquired  high  rank  as  producers  of 
first-class  stock.  Bates  blood  predominated  in  the 
shipment,  but  there  were  also  included  the  good 
cows  Lady  Seraphina  6th  and  Seraphina  Carissima 
3d  of  Lord  Sudeley's  breeding.  There  was  also  a 
sprinkling  of  Knightley  and  Booth  blood.  The  im- 
ported cattle  were  sold  along  with  a  lot  of  home- 
bred stock  on  date  above  mentioned,  top  prices  rang- 
ing as  follows: 

Seraphina  3cl— W.  H.  Richardson,  Kentucky $2,800 

Pretty  Miss  Prim— George  M.  Bedford,  Kentucky 2,400 

Georgia  Hillhurst— C.  M.  Clay,  Kentucky 2,050 

Acacia— E.  G.  Bedford,  Kentucky 1,900 

Georgia  Clarence — E.  L.  Davison,  Kentucky 1,900 

Lady  Seraphina  6th— John  R.  Craig,  Canada 1,600 

Surmise  Duchess  9th— T.  J.  Megibben,  Kentucky 1,575 

Lady  Seaham  of  Roseneath— W.  &  W.  Pickrell,  Illinois 1,500 

Brunette  3d— J.  W.  Burgess,  Kentucky 1,275 

Una— J.  G.  Kinnaird,  Kentucky 1,225 

Cateress— H.  C.  Hutchcraft,  Kentucky 1,225 

Duke  of  Wotton  2d— E.  L.  Davison,  Kentucky 1,225 

Bohemian  Knightley— E.  G.  Bedford,  Kentucky 1,050 

Alpha— H.  P.  Thomson  1,050 

Water  Girl— W.  L.  Grimes,  Kentucky 1,000 

Azalea  2d— W.  N.  Offutt,  Kentucky 1,000 

Closing  events  of  1875.— In  December,  1875,  the 
national  convention  was  held  at  Toronto  under  the 
Presidency  of  Mr.  Pickrell.  After  adjournment  a 
combination  sale  from  the  herds  of  J.  R.  Craig,  Col. 
J.  B.  Taylor  and  Sumner  &  Hilton  was  held,  at  which 


480  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Mr.  Cochrane  paid  $4,000  for  Kirklevington  Duchess 
18th.  Ayres  &  McClintock  of  Kentucky  bought  the 
17th  Duke  of  Airdrie  at  $4,500,  and  Mr.  Ayres  took 
Grace  Sharon  at  $2,900.  Simon  Beattie  bid  off 
Duchess  of  Eaby  at  $3,050,  and  S.  E.  Streator  took 
Grace  4th  at  $3,300.  Princesses  again  commanded 
good  prices,  quite  a  number  selling  at  from  $1,000 
to  $2,200.  Mr.  Cochrane  gave  $2,400  for  Careless 
8th,  and  Groom  &  Son  $3,700  for  Oneida  Rose.  A 
pair  of  Constances  fetched  $3,100,  and  the  bull  imp. 
Baron  Hubback  2d  went  to  M.  W.  Terrill  at  $2,500. 

During  the  year  1875,  115  public  sales  of  Short- 
horns were  held  in  America,  at  which  4,347  head 
were  sold  for  a  total  of  $1,832,383,  an  average  of 
$422.  During  the  same  time  there  were  sold  in  Great 
Britain  fifty-five  lots,  aggregating  2,355  head,  at  an 
average  of  $515.  One  of  the  characteristic  out- 
growths of  this  remarkable  period  of  activity  in  the 
trade  was  the  appearance  of  Bailey's  Short-horn  Re- 
porter, issued  from  the  office  of  Mr.  Allen,  proprietor 
of  the  American  Herd  Book.  It  was  a  quarterly, 
modeled  on  the  general  lines  of  John  Thornton 's  in- 
valuable English  Short-horn  Circular, 


THE    WOODRURN-RRKD    loTII    DUCITESS    OF    AIRDRIE,    WHOSE    DE 
SCEXDAXTS    SOLD    FOR    SUMS    AGOUEGATING    NEARLY   3300,000. 


IMP.    MAID    OF    HONOR— BRED    BY    T.    GARNE:    IMPORTED    1873    BY 
THE   LATE  SIMON   BEATTIE. 


CHAPTER  XVII 
THE  TURN  OF  THE  TIDE 

On  the  surface  there  was  still  great  apparent 
enthusiasm  on  the  basis  of  the  extraordinary  range 
of  values  already  established,  but  the  trade  of  1876 
developed  indications  that  the  market  was  becoming 
^'top  heavy/'  As  is  usual  in  the  case  of  all  such 
extensive  speculations  there  had  been  a  great  expan- 
sion of  credits.  Notes  given  for  cattle  bought  at 
high  prices  were  beginning  to  mature.  Such  paper 
now  became  the  subject  of  closer  scrutiny  at  the 
hands  of  prudent  bankers,  and  this  fact  marked  the 
beginning  of  the  end  of  the"  most  astounding  trade 
in  pedigreed  cattle  to  be  found  in  agricultural  his- 
tory. The  decline  at  first  was  neither  sudden  nor 
severe,  and  for  several  seasons  great  prices  were 
occasionally  obtained.  In  fact  average  values  held 
up  well  under  heavy  offerings,  but  nevertheless  the 
waters  of  speculation  were  now  palpably  receding. 
Space  admonishes  that  we  must  deal  more  briefly 
with  the  details  of  the  transactions  attending  the 
subsidence  of  the  ^'boom,'*  and  we  shall  therefore  in 
this  chapter  only  sketch  the  most  noteworthy  events 
during  the  great  ' '  down  turn ' '  in  values  marked  by 
the  period  extending  from  1876  to  1880. 

Hon.  George  Brown  and  Bow  Park. — In  the  spring 

481 


482  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

of  1876  the  Hon.  George  Brown  of  Canada,  one  of 
the  most  remarkable  characters  ever  identified  with 
the  Short-horn  trade  in  America,  proceeded  to  Scot- 
land (the  land  of  his  birth)  and  through  the  assist- 
ance of  his  brothers-in-law,  Messrs.  William  and 
Thomas  Nelson,  of  the  great  firm  of  Thomas  Nelson 
&  Sons,  organized  a  limited  company  under  the  name 
of  the  Canada  West  Farm  Stock  Association.  While 
this  enterprise  was  launched  at  a  most  unfortunate 
time  for  the  stockholders,  and  was  therefore  fore- 
doomed to  ultimate  financial  failure,  its  operations 
were  so  extensive  and  were  carried  forward  with 
such  enterprise  that  a  deep  impression  was  made 
upon  the  fortunes  of  the  breed  on  this  side  of  the 
Atlantic. 

Mr.  Brown  had  come  to  Toronto  from  Edinburg 
as  a  young  man  and  had  worked  himself  up  through 
the  field  of  journalism  and  politics  into  the  very 
highest  circles  of  power  in  the  Dominion.  He  had  for 
many  years  been  proprietor  of  the  Toronto  Globe, 
a  paper  known  all  over  Canada  as  "the  Scotchman's 
bible."  Personally  he  was  a  man  of  marked  force 
of  character,  and  his  vigorous  intellect,  combined 
with  a  magnificent  physique,  rendered  him  one  of 
the  most  conspicuous  figures  of  his  day.  Inflexible, 
as  a  rule,  in  his  dealings  with  others,  and  a  dictator 
in  his  editorial  office,  he  failed  to  control  the  political 
elements  with  which  he  came  in  contact,  but  ani- 
mated by  an  ambition  to  promote  the  material  inter- 
ests of  his  adopted  country,  and  having  a  natural 


THE  TURN  OF  THE  TIDE  •  483 

taste  for  agricultural  pursuits,  he  took  up  first  at 
Bothwell,  a  small  town  west  of  London,  Ont.,  and 
latterly  at  Bow  Park,  Brantford,  Ont.,  the  business 
of  farming.    Naturally  a  man  of  broad  ideas  he  de- 
veloped at  Bow  Park  the  breeding  of  Short-horn  cat- 
tle upon  a  most  extensive  basis.    In  June,  1874,  an 
invoice  showed  that  he  had  then  upon  the  farm  330 
Short-horns,  of  which  274  were  females  and  fifty-six 
bulls.    At  that  time  his  plan  was  to  rear  the  cattle 
on  what  is  known  as  the  ''soiling"  system.     The 
Short-horns  were  never  turned  out  to  graze  but  had 
green  food  during  the  summer  months  and  dry  fod- 
der, along  with  beets  and  turnips  during  the  win- 
ter.* In  addition  to  being  exceedingly  expensive  this 
system  was,  of  course,  unnatural.    The  herd  at  that 
time  consisted  mainly  of  cattle  of  mixed  breeding, 
good  individually,  as  a  rule,  but  in  the  belief  that 
something  still  better  existed  the  enterprising  pro- 
prietor decided  upon  a  change  of  base.    The  Nelson 
alliance  was  perfected  and  the  original  herd  dis- 
posed of  at  low  prices,  but  for  many  years  following 
its   practical   value   was   reflected   throughout    the 
whole  of  Canada  in  the  steers  produced  upon  the 
Dominion  farms. 

*While  in  attendance  at  some  of  the  Kentucky  sales  Mr.  Brown  com- 
mented in  the  most  complimentary  terms  upon  the  excellence  of  the 
Renick  Rose  of  Sharons,  his  expression  ordinarily  being:  "A  grand  lot 
of  cattle  ;  but  they  ought  to  be  !"  A  Kentuckian  finally  asked  the  Cana- 
dian visitor  what  he  meant  by  the  latter  part  of  his  remark.  He  replied 
in  iTankee  fashion  by  asking  the  question:  "How  many  acres  in  Mr. 
?f  «H^„^.  o^""^-  ^^  was  informed  :  "Mr.  Renick's  estate  consists,  sir, 
2L"  iJ.^  2,0 00  acres  of  the  best  blue-grass  land  in  Central  Kentucky, 
sir.        To  which   Mr.   Brown   rejoined:      "I   believe   that   great   bodv   of 

Jfead  'uJoT'soT'LJes.-''^  °'  '''  '^"'"-     ^"  ^^^'^  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^  ^^'^250 


484  'A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORX   CATTLE 

The  Canada  West  Farm  Stock  Association,  with 
a  capitalization  of  $400,000,  made  its  initial  impor- 
tation by  the  Polynesian  from  Liverpool  in  June, 
1876,  which  was  followed  in  July  by  two  other  ship- 
ments, aggregating  in  all  some  seventy-five  head  of 
high-priced  Bates-bred  cattle.  It  was  the  plan  of  the 
company  to  import  only  animals  of  the  finest  indi- 
vidual quality  belonging  to  the  most  popular  strains 
of  blood,  and  something  like  $200,000  was  represent- 
ed by  its  investments  in  cattle,  horses,  sheep  and 
pigs. 

4th  Duke  of  Claxence. — In  the  shipment  that  came 
out  from  Liverpool  in  July,  1876,  by  the  good  ship 
Circassian  was  a  long,  lank,  undeveloped  roan  year- 
ling bull,  bred  by  Col.  Gunter  of  Wetherby  Grange 
and  sired  by  18th  Duke  of  Oxford  (25595)  out  of 
Duchess  109th  by  2d  Duke  of  Claro  (21576).  Mr. 
Brown  was  so  little  enamored  of  this  youngster  upon 
his  arrival  that  his  first  idea  was  to  return  him  to 
England  and  have  him  resold.  Fortunately  for  him- 
self and  the  Bow  Park  Short-horns  better  counsel 
prevailed.  It  was  pointed  out  that  the  calf  had  been 
badly  kept  on  a  farm  on  the  Yorkshire  ''wolds''  and 
had  proved  a  poor  sailor  on  the  Atlantic.  He  was 
accordingly  retained  at  Bow  Park  and  lived  to  de- 
velop into  the  crowning  glory  of  that  great  Short- 
horn breeding  establishment;  known  to  Short-horn 
fame  for  all  time  to  come  under  the  title  of  4th  Duke 
of  Clarence.  He  developed  all  of  the  best  points  of 
Mr.  Bates'  old  type,  with  few  of  the  defects  shown 


THE  TURN  OF  THF  TIDE  485 

by  many  of  his  carelessly-bred  relations.  Maturing 
into  a  massive,  mellow-fleshed  bull  of  beautiful 
quality,  grand  breed  character  and  commanding 
presence  the  4th  Duke  was  the  pride  of  his  day  and 
generation  among  the  adherents  of  Bates  Short- 
horns in  the  new  world.  Mated  with  the  many  good 
cows  and  heifers  imported  and  bought  for  the  Bow 
Park  Herd,  and  under  the  skillful  management  of 
the  late  John  Hope — who  took  charge  of  the  herd  in 
1878 — he  sired  many  valuable  cattle  that  gained  high 
honors  in  the  show-yards  of  Canada  and  the  United 
States,  conspicuous  among  which  may  be  mentioned 
the  celebrated  white  bullock  Clarence  Kirklevington, 
champion  of  the  American  Fat-Stock  Show  of  1884. 
The  4th  Duke  proved  not  only  a  great  stock-getter 
but  was  also  shown  with  success  at  Cleveland  (Ohio), 
Toronto  and  London  in  1878  and  1879.  He  remained 
at  the  head  of  the  Bow  Park  Herd  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1887. 

Opening  sales  of  1876. — The  sales  this  year  opened 
in  Iowa,  where  a  large  number  of  cattle  were  offered 
at  West  Liberty  and  Des  Moines.  No  sensational 
prices  were  made  except  at  S.  W.  Jacobs '  sale,  where 
2d  Peri  of  Lyndale  was  bid  off  at  $7,050  by  D.  S. 
Bussing  of  New  York.  D.  M.  Flynn  took  Roan  Prin- 
cess at  $3,900.  Bussing  bought  Lucy  Napier  at 
$2,475,  and  Minnie  Annandale  2d  for  $2,500.  For 
Loudon's  Minnie  D.  Wilson  of  West  Liberty  gave 
$2,550.  For  Nelly  Bly  7th  Rigdon  Huston  of  Illinois 
paid    $1,975.      The    bull    Oxford    of    Springwood 


486  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HOKX    CATTLE 

fetched  $2,000  from  John  R.  Owens  of  Illinois. 
Jacobs'  146  head  brought  $86,895,  an  average  of 
$595.  C.  S.  Barclay  sold  eighty-eight  head  for 
$27,275,  and  Campbell  &  Chase  ninety-seven  head  for 
$27,446. 

In  Illinois  Davis  Lowman  of  Toulon  held  a  sale 
which  was  topped  by  the  Cruickshank  cow  Red  Lady 
3d,  bought  by  W.  &  W.  Pickrell  for  $1,200.  A.  J. 
Dunlap  paid  $1,010  for  the  Scotch-bred  imp.  Lovely 
18th,  and  at  the  same  sale  AVinfield  Scott,  AVyoming, 
111.,  bought  Miss  Wiley  of  Green  Lawn  for  $1,100, 
and  J.  H.  Spears  paid  $1,005  for  the  bull  Sam  Wiley 
12880.  At  A. 'J.  Dunlap 's  sale  Mr.  Spears  paid  $1,300 
for  Fanny  Hunt  5th,  and  George  Otley  of  Neponset, 
111.,  $1,060  for  Sonsie  Lass  2d. 

Potts  buys  imp.  Duke  of  Richmond. — At  Spring- 
field, 111.,  on  May  3,  J.  H.  Kissinger  sold  twenty-two 
cattle  for  $25,335,  an  average  of  $1,152.  D.  A.  Rou- 
ner  of  Newark,  Mo.,  bid  off  the  bull  2d  Marquis  of 
Worcester  at  $3,000  and  the  cow  Knightley  Belle  at 
$2,275.  J.  H.  Potts  &  Son  bought  the  Scotch-bred 
imp.  Duke  of  Richmond  for  $2,250,  the  cow  Mattie 
Richardson  at  $1,805,  and  2d  Louan  of  Linwood  at 
$1,850.  W.  &  W.  Pickrell  took  Caroline  Cochrane  at 
$2,100.  A.  E.  Kimberley  of  West  Liberty  paid  $2,700 
for  Loudon  Duchess  of  Bedford.  Mr.  J.  H.  Pickrell 
owned  a  half  interest  in  the  cow  last  named,  and  at 
the  same  time  and  place  sold  ten  head  of  cattle  at 
an  average  of  $862,  including  Countess  of  Cornwall 
at  $2,050  to  Col.  Robert  Holloway  and  Countess  of 


THE  TUEX  OF  THE  TIDE  487 

Oxford  4th  at  $1,500  to  James  N.  Brown's  Sons.  On 
the  following  day  Messrs.  Spears,  lies,  et  at.,  sold 
at  Springfield;  Harvey  Sodowsky  paying  $1,600  for 
Airdrie  Bloom,  and  Winslow  Bros,  of  Kankakee 
$1,025  for  Prairie  Blossom. 

Col.  Holloway's  big  average. — On  May  25  Col. 
Eobert  Holloway  sold  sixty-three  cattle  at  Dexter 
Park,  Chicago,  for  an  average  of  $1,087.  The  top 
price  was  $4,250,  given  by  A.  J.  Streeter  of  New 
Windsor,  111.,  for  Bose  of  Sharon  of  Durham  Lawn. 
The  next  was  $3,925  paid  by  F.  J.  Barbee  of  Ken- 
tucky for  Loudon  Duchess  15th.  For  the  bull  imp. 
Oxford  Beau  2d  the  West  Liberty  breeders  gave 
$3,800.  For  1st  Rose  of  Sharon  of  Durham  Lawn 
John  Hope,  then  in  business  at  Markham,  Ont.,  gave 
$3,200.  For  the  Princess  cow  4th  Tuberose  of  Brat- 
tleboro  George  Otley  paid  $3,025.  For  Roan  Duchess 
7th  of  Bow  Park  Streeter  gave  $3,250.  For  11th 
Belle  Duchess  of  Plumwood  William  Thomson's 
Sons  of  Kentucky  paid  $3,050.  Streeter  also  gave 
$2,750  for  imp.  Waterloo  J.,  $1,700  for  Roan  Duchess 
7th  of  Auvergne,  $1,250  for  Lady  Goodness  and 
$1,425  for  the  bull  Grand  Airdrie  19894.  Mr.  Pogue 
of  Kentucky  gave  $2,500  for  Geneva  Duchess  of 
Goodness. 

On  the  following  day  W.  B.  Dodge  sold  at  Chicago; 
the  highest  price  obtained  being  $1,800  for  the  Prin- 
cess cow  7th  Lady  Sale  of  Brattleboro,  bought  by 
Bailey  &  Goodspeed  of  Wisconsin.  The  same  par- 
ties  purchased   9th   Lady   Sale   of  Brattleboro   at 


488  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HOEN   CATTLE       • 

$1,500.  S.  W.  Jacobs  of  West  Liberty  took  the 
famous  Garne-bred  Murray  cow  imp.  Maid  of  Honor 
at  $1,525  and  imp.  Nectar  at  $1,000.  At  a  sale  from 
the  herd  of  Nelson  Jones  next  day  Pliny  Nichols  of 
West  Liberty  gave  $1,050  for  2d  Eed  Rose  of  Wood- 
side,  and  P.  A.  Coen  of  Washburn,  111.,  paid  $1,000 
for  Baron  Bates  4th. 

At  the  Meredith  sale  at  Cambridge  City,  Ind.,  in 
June  fifty-two  head  brought  $20,555,  the  most  nota- 
ble transaction  of  the  day  i3eing  the  purchase  of  4th 
Mazurka  of  Chesterfield  by  Walter  Handy  of  Ken- 
tucky at  $2,525.  At  Stephen  Dunlap's  sale  in  Illi- 
nois Gen.  C.  E.  Lippincott  gave  $1,800  for  imp.  Jubi- 
lee Gwynne. 

Albert  Crane  pays  $23,600  for  an  Airdrie  Duchess. 
— At  Cochrane,  Beattie  and  Hope's  sale  in  Canada 
Albert  Crane  of  Chicago,  whose  purchases  of  cattle 
for  his  17,000-acre  ranch  at  Durham  Park,  Kan., 
have  already  been  mentioned,  came  into  the  market 
for  Duchesses,  and  took  Airdrie  Duchesses  2d  and 
3d  at  $21,000  and  $23,600  respectively.  J.  P.  Foster 
of  England  bought  Wild  Eyes  Lassie  at  $4,500.  Col. 
Le  G.  B.  Cannon,  a  wealthy  Vermonter,  took  Kirk- 
levington  Duchess  18th  at  $4,000.  Messrs.  W.  &  W. 
Pickrell  of  Illinois  bought  the  bull  Baron  Sidding- 
ton  at  $2,200.  The  fifty-four  head  averaged  $1,709. 
About  this  same  date  Avery  8:  Murpliy  of  Port  Hu- 
ron, Mich.,  purchased  Airdrie  Duchess  5th  as  a  calf 
from  Mr.  Cochrane  for  $18,000.  At  a  sale  by  John 
Snell's  Sons,  held  in  Canada  at  same  time,  W.  Wil- 


THE  TUKN  OF  THE  TIDE  489 

liams  of  Massachusetts  gave  $1,520  for  Lady  Sera- 
phina  6th,  and  N.  G.  Pond  of  Milford,  Conn.,  $1,800. 
Hon.  George  Brown  of  Bow  Park  sold  at  Toronto  in 
this  same  series,  receiving  $1,500  from  John  R.  Craig 
for  3d  Duchess  of  Springwood  and  $1,000  from  S.  W. 
Jacobs  of  Iowa  for  Mazurka  10th.  Messrs.  A.  H.  & 
I.  B.  Day  sold  at  Keokuk,  la.,  on  June  15,  West 
Liberty  breeders  proving  the  best  buyers.  Messrs. 
Jacobs  &  Wilson  bought  the  three  Scotch-bred  fe- 
males imp.  Golden  Drop  1st,  Golden  Drop  A.  and 
Golden  Drop  B.  at  $1,000,  $1,475  and  $1,275  respec- 
tively. D.  Wilson  &  Son  also  bought  Louan  of  Van 
Buren  at  $1,200. 

$17,900  for  14th  Duke  of  Thorndale.— At  the  Ken- 
tucky summer  sales  of  1876  the  highest  price  ever 
made  in  America  for  a  bull  of  any  breed  was  ob- 
tained for  the  14th  Duke  of  Thorndale  (28459).  He 
was  sold  by  George  M.  Bedford  and  knocked  off  at 
$17,900  to  Mr.  W.  C.  Vanmeter  of  Winchester,  Ky., 
bidding  for  Levi  Goff  of  Paris,  a  son-in-law  of  Mr. 
Bedford's.  At  this  same  sale  A.  L.  Niccolls  of  Ot- 
tawa, Kan.,  bought  $18,000  worth  of  stock — twelve 
head — including  Lady  Bates  6th  at  $6,000,  the  bull 
Imperial  Bates  at  $3,300,  and  the  20th  Duchess  of 
Goodness  at  $2,100.  The  security  tendered  on  his 
notes,  however,  was  not  satisfactory  and  the  cattle 
remained  at  Mr.  Bedford's.  Mr.  Embry  of  Rich- 
mond, Ky.,  took  Airdrie  Belle  at  $2,750,  Airdrie  Belle 
3d  at  $4,050,  and  Oneida  Belle  at  $2,000.  At  a  sale 
made  by  B.  J.  Clay,  Hall  &  Taylor  and  B.  F.  Bed- 


490  A  HISTOKY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

ford  eighty-one  cattle  sold  for  an  average  of  $400. 
Brown  and  Gregg  of  Canada  paid  $1,425  for  Roan 
Duchess  12th,  and  H.  C.  Smith  of  Kentucky  $2,750 
for  Cambridge  Rose  5th.  A  pair  of  Valley  Prin- 
cesses brought  $2,300  from  Corbin  &  Patterson.  At 
Leslie  Combs'  sale  Hon.  George  Brown  and  Maj. 
Gregg  paid  $1,400  for  Moss  Rose  2d.  At  Walter 
Handy 's  Ware  &  McGoodwin  of  Kentucky  bought 
4th  Mazurka  of  Chesterfield  for  $1,740.  On  Aug.  17 
at  Chillicothe,  0.,  George  Grimes  and  others  sold 
fifty-three  cattle  for  $17,680.  At  this  sale  John 
Montgomery  of  Granville,  0.,  paid  $1,000  each  for 
Oxford  Gwynnes  2d  and  6th  and  Rose  of  Cashmere. 
J.  S.  Kirk  of  Washington  C.-H.  gave  the  same  for 
Elsie. 

Closing  events  of  1876. — In  the  autumn  of  this 
year  Ware  &  McGoodwin  of  Kentucky  sold  the  3d 
Duke  of  Oneida  at  public  sale  for  $6,800  to  Ayres, 
Barton  &  Hutchcraft  of  same  State.  At  a  sale  by 
H.  P.  Thomson  in  Kentucky  forty-one  head  aver- 
aged $977.  Quite  a  lot  of  Princesses  were  included 
and  a  determined  effort  was  made  to  secure  long 
prices  for  them.  Winslow  Bros,  of  Illinois  took  4th 
Princess  of  the  Valley  at  $2,200;  Col.  J.  B.  Taylor 
of  Canada  Princess  of  the  Valley  at  $2,450;  Hon.  M. 
H.  Cochrane  2d  Princess  of  the  Valley  at  $2,500,  and 
Col.  Simms  of  Kentucky  Hiohland  Maid  6th  at 
$1,650.  For  the  Bates-bred  2d  Duchess  of  Kirklev- 
ington  F.  J.  Barbee  gave  $2,000  and  Belle  Duchess 
was  bid  off  by  Joseph  Julian  of  Bainbridge,  N.  Y., 


THE  TUKN  OF  THE   TIDE  493 

at  $4,000.  At  Bush  &  Hampton's  sale  Abner  Strawn 
of  Illinois  gave  $2,050  for  Geneva  Rose.  At  J.  V. 
Grigsby's  no  less  than  thirteen  head  sold  in  the  four 
figures;  the  Hamiltons  of  Mount  Sterling,  Ky.,  took 
Sharon  Rose  at  $3,400;  Col.  Simms  bought  Geneva 
Rose  at  $2,325,  and  W.  C.  Yanmeter  several  high- 
priced  lots.  The  $1,000  mark  was  also  passed  sev- 
eral times  at  the  sales  of  Robinson,  Bean  and  the 
Hamiltons.  In  connection  with  Ayres  &  McClin- 
tock's  sale  August  Whitman  sold  two  Princesses 
(Tuberoses)  to  T.  L.  McKeen,  Easton,  Pa.,  for $2,750. 

During  1876  there  were  sold  at  auction  sale  in 
America  4,014  animals  for  $1,366,805,  an  average  of 
$341.28.  Of  these  1,151  head  were  sold  in  Illinois 
for  $395,005,  1,011  head  in  Kentucky  for  $373,830, 
751  head  in  Iowa  for  $232,475.  The  general  average 
was  $41  below  that  for  1875.  In  Great  Britain  2,802 
head  were  sold  at  auction  for  $728,270,  an  average  of 
$260  each. 

B.  B.  Groom  &  Son  shipped  six  more  Renick  Roses 
of  Sharon  this  year  to  England,  and  also  the 
6th  Duke  of  Kirklevington  (30182)  to  J.  R.  Shelley 
of  Freeport,  111.,  for  $5,000.  Another  event  of  gen- 
eral interest  this  season  was  the  removal  of  Messrs. 
A.  M.  Winslow's  Sons  (Henry  and  Peleg),  with 
their  herd  of  Princesses,  from  Putney,  Vt.,  to  Kan- 
kakee, 111. 

Pickrell  &  Kissingei*.— In  the  early  spring  of  1877 
Messrs.  J.  H.  Pickrell  and  J.  H.  Kissinger  pooled 
their  valuable  Short-horn  holdings,  one-half,  headed 


492  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

by  imp.  Flower  Lad  23170  (Torr-Booth)  and  Baron 
Siddington  (Bates),  being  maintained  at  Clarks- 
ville,  Mo.,  and  the  other  portion,  with  the  imp.  Lord 
Lamech  (34578),  at  Harristown,  III.  We  have  al- 
ready detailed  at  some  length  Mr.  PickrelPs  promi- 
nent identification  with  AVestern  Short-horn  inter- 
ests, and  have  made  some  allusion  to  Mr.  Kissin- 
ger's successful  operations.  Some  further  facts  in 
reference  to  the  latter 's  connection  with  the  trade 
will  be  of  interest. 

Mr.  Kissinger  was  born  in  Pike  Co.,  Mo.,  in  1840 
from  Kentucky  parentage.  Beared  on  a  farm  and 
possessed  of  great  natural  love  for  agricultural  pur- 
suits, he  developed  a  deep  interest  in  Short-horns 
and  in  1867  made  his  first  appearance  in  Western 
show-yards.  At  the  Illinois  State  Fair  of  that  year 
he  exhibited  a  grade  Short-horn  steer  four  years  old 
weighing  2,400  lbs.,  to  which  a  first  prize  was  award- 
ed. The  bullock  was  afterward  sold  to  J.  H.  Spears 
for  $300.  It  was  here  that  Mr.  Kissinger  made  his 
first  purchases,  buying  the  cows  Dove  3d  (A.  H.  B., 
Vol.  VIII,  p.  316)  and  Beauty  (Vol.  VIII,  p.  257); 
the  latter  proving  a  grand  show  animal,  beaten  at 
St.  Louis  in  1871  only  by  Col.  King's  renowned  imp. 
Eosedale.  Kissinger's  next  purchase  was  at  J.  H. 
Spears'  sale  in  1868  where  he  bought  the  cow  Iva 
Jones  (Vol.  XV,  p.  608)  and  her  bull  calf  Duke  of 
Airdrie  9800,  which  stood  at  the  head  of  his  herd 
for  four  years  and  proved  a  successful  show  bull  as 
well  as  a  sire  of  prize-winners.     The  next  addition 


THE  TURX  OF  THE   TIDE  493 

to  his  herd  consisted  of  four  females  from  Mr.  Pick- 
rell's,  bought  in  1869.  Among  these  was  Caroline 
Airdrie  (Vol.  IX,  p.  519),  which  was  sold  in  1871 
to  Thomas  S.  Page  of  California  for  $1,800.  From 
1870  to  1872  he  made  numerous  purchases  of  females 
in  Kentucky,  and  in  June,  1873,  made  his  first  sale 
at  Linwood  Farm,  his  residence  in  Pike  Co.,  Mo., 
when  fifty  head  brought  an  average  of  $400.  In  1874 
he. purchased  largely  from  the  best  Kentucky  herds, 
securing  Kissinger's  Breastplate  17476  at  six 
months  old  at  $1,250.  His  next  purchase  was  the 
yearling  Cruickshank  heifer  imp.  Orange  Blossom 
18th  for  $2,500,  which  he  kept  for  one  year  and  sold 
to  Mrs.  Kimberly  of  West  Liberty  for  $3,500.  He 
also  bought  the  afterward  celebrated  Scotch-bred, 
bull  imp.  Duke  of  Eichmond,  subsequently  so  famous 
in  the  herd  of  Messrs.  Potts.  Mr.  Kissinger  was  one 
of  the  first  to  recognize  the  great  merit  of  the  Aber- 
deenshire Short-horns  on  this  side  of  the  water.  In- 
deed imp.  Duke  of  Richmond  laid  the  foundation  for 
their  later  popularity  in  this  country.  In  1875  he 
bought  a  car-load  of  Cruickshank-bred  cattle  from 
James  I.  Davidson  of  Canada.  At  the  great  West- 
ern fairs  that  year  his  herd,  headed  by  imp.  Duke 
of  Richmond,  and  including  the  cows  Mattie  Rich- 
ardson, Caroline  Cochrane,  Caroline  Pickrell,  2d 
Louan  of  Linwood,  and  Pretty  Jemima  2d,  won  first 
prize  at  Jacksonville,  111.;  Hannibal,  Mo.;  the  Illinois 
and  Iowa  State  Fairs,  at  St.  Louis  and  Louisiana, 
Mo.    The  cattle  were  then  sold  at  auction,  as  already 


494  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

detailed.  The  famous  show  herd  of  J.  H.  Potts  & 
Son  was  largely  founded  from  this  stock. 

Messrs.  Pickrell  &  Kissinger  were  for  years  ruling 
spirits  at  our  Western  shows.  During  a  period  of 
twelve  years,  running  from  1867  to  1879,  cattle 
shown  in  their  names  won,  in  competition  with  the 
best  herds  of  the  United  States  and  Canada,  prizes 
aggregating  $40,000.  Their  aim  was  ever  individual 
merit  in  the  animal  and  the  promotion  of  the  best 
interests  of  the  breed.  Lavish  in  their  expenditures 
for  high-class  Short-horns,  enterprising  and  per- 
sistent in  their  efforts  at  demonstrating  the  excel- 
lence of  the  breed  in  the  great  show-yards  of  the 
West,  it  is  but  simple  justice  to  record  that  no  men 
ever  connected  with  the  American  Short-horn  trade 
have  done  more  to  set  up  correct  standards  and  fur- 
ther the  substantial  interests  of  Short-horns  on  this 
side  of  the  Atlantic. 

Spring  sales  of  1877. — The  opening  sales  of  1877 
were  disappointing,  but  at  John  Bond's  at  Abing- 
don, 111.,  the  Scotch-bred  imp.  Missie  39th,  of  Marr's 
breeding,  brought  $1,040  from  J.  McClellan  of  As- 
toria, 111.,  and  imp.  Butterfly  45th,  from  Sittyton, 
fetched  $1,000  from  George  Chase  of  West  Liberty, 
la.  At  S.  W.  Jacobs'  sale  at  West  Liberty  A. 
Shropshire  of  Monroe,  la.,  gave  $1,600  for  the 
Cruickshank  heifer  Village  Girl  and  $1,550  for  Lucy 
Napier.  C.  McCune  of  Solon,  la.,  paid  $1,460  for 
the  Bates  cow  imp.  Acomb  Belle,  $1,200  for  the 
Scotch-bred  imp.  Golden  Drop  2d,  $1,000  for  Golden 


THE  TURN   OF  THE   TIDE  495 

Drop  A.,  and  $1,120  for  imp.  Maid  of  Honor,  taking 
also  the  Bates  bull  imp.  Underley  Wild  Eyes  at 
$700.    A  cross  of  this  bull  upon  the  Golden  Drops 
produced  the  branch  of  this  fine  Kinellar  family  that 
afterward  became  so  celebrated  in  the  herd  of  Col. 
W.  A.  Harris  at  Linwood,  Kan.    At  a  sale  by  Abner 
Strawn  at  Dexter  Park,  Chicago,  May  8  Trimble  & 
Henshaw  of  Plattsburg,  Mo.,  gave  $2,425  for  Geneva 
Eose,  and  William  E.  Simms  of  Kentucky  $1,500  for 
Grace  3d.    During  the  same  series  C.  A.  De  Graff  of 
Minnesota  paid  $3,000  for  Peri's  Duchess,  and  Wil- 
liam Slater  of  Massachusetts  $1,500  for  7th  Lady 
Sale  of  Brattleboro— both  sold  by  Bailey  &  Good- 
speed  of  Wisconsin.    At  Lippincott  &  Spears'  sale 
at  the  same  place  Gen.  Lippincott  bid  off  the  22d 
Duchess  of  Airdrie  for  $15,000,  and  the  21st  Duke 
of  Airdrie  was  knocked  down  to  William  Babcock  of 
Canton,  111.,  at  $8,000.    On  June  6  the  22d  Duke  of 
Airdrie  was  sold  by  Eichard  Gibson  at  London,  Ont., 
to  Col.  Le  G.  B.  Cannon  of  Vermont  for  $4,900;  Eosy 
Princess  2d  to  Winslow  &  Wadsworth  for  $1,250; 
Eosy  Princess  5th  to  A.  L.  Stebbins  of  Detroit  for 
$1,225 ;  Ursuline  3d  at  $1,500  and  Constance  of  Lyn- 
dale  6th  at  $1,000  to  Col.  Cannon;  thirty-nine  head 
averaging  $591.    On  the  same  day  John  Hope  sold 
Kirklevington  Duchess  8th  to  U.  J.  Harris  of  Web- 
ster, Mass.,  for  $2,300,  and  Duchess  of  Clarence  12th 
at  $1,500  and  Docile  at  $1,225  to  Hon.  George  Brown 
of  Bow  Park.     At  the  same  sale  T.  L.  Harison  of 
New  York  sold  the  Princess  Lady  Gertrude  to  Win- 


496  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

slow  &  Wadswortli  for  $4,000.  Shortly  after  this 
sale  Mr.  Hope  took  charge  of  the  herd  at  Bow  Park. 
During  the  summer  Messrs.  Winslow  sold  six  young 
Princess  bulls  at  an  average  price  of  $1,000  each, 
the  19th  Duke  of  Airdrie  being  in  service  in  their 
herd  at  the  time. 

At  S.  Meredith  &  Sons'  summer  sale  the  Messrs. 
Hamilton  of  Mount  Sterling,  Ky.,  bought  the  20th 
Duke  of  Airdrie  for  $6,975.  In  their  Flat  Creek 
Herd  this  bull  afterward  left  a  very  valuable  set  of 
heifers;  many  of  which  were  introduced  into  promi- 
nent Western  herds.  He  seemed  to  ''nick''  particu- 
larly well  with  the  Young  Marys,  Roses  of  Sharon, 
and  Josephines  of  which  the  Hamilton  herd  was  so 
largely  composed. 

At  A.  E.  Kimberley's  sale  at  West  Liberty,  la., 
S.  W.  Jacobs  bought  Breastplate  11431  at  $5,000. 
J.  H.  Bowman  of  Waverly,  la.,  gave  $1,010  for  the 
bull  Jubilee's  Breastplate,  $2,025  for  Jubilee  Napier, 
and  $1,750  for  Jubilee  Napier  2d.  At  Wilson  &  Sons' 
sale  at  West  Liberty  Mr.  McCune,  Solon,  la.,  added 
to  his  herd  imp.  Golden  Drop  2d  at  $1,160.  At  S.  C. 
Duncan's  sale  in  Missouri  B.  F.  Winn  gave  $1,200 
for  Duke  of  Tuberose  26408.  At  C.  L.  Vanmeter's 
summer  sale  in  Kentucky  Messrs.  Hamilton  were 
free  buyers,  taking  Ophelia's  Geneva  at  $1,350  and 
7th  Belle  of  Bath  at  $1,000.  At  Mr.  Barbee's  sale 
in  Kentucky  the  Hamiltons  gave  $1,570  for  Loudon 
Duchess  15th  and  John  Hope  bought  two  Kirklev- 
ingtons  at  $1,225  each. 


THE  TURN  OF  THE  TIDE  497 

Cochrane  at  Windermere.— On  Sept.  4,  1877,  at 
Bowness,  Cumbeiiand,  amid  the  beauteous  surround- 
ings of  the  Lake  district  of  Northwestern  England, 
so  famed  in  poetry  and  song,  the  Hon.  M.  H.  Coch- 
rane of  Hillhurst,  Can.,  offered  at  public  sale  thirty- 
two  head  exported  for  this  purpose  from  Canada, 
along  with  eleven  head  belonging  to  Simon  Beattie. 
Mr.  Cochrane  had  been  from  the  beginning  one  of 
the  clearest-sighted  men  identified  with  the  Short- 
horn trade.  He  was  one  of  the  first  to  profit  by  the 
rising  tide  of  Short-horn  values  in  America  after 
the  close  of  the  Civil  War;  engaging  boldly  and 
profitably  in  the  early  Duchess  speculations,  made 
numerous  sales  at  high  prices  to  leading  buyers  on 
both  sides  the  Atlantic,  and  when  he  observed  that 
America  was  not  taking  kindly  to  the  high-priced 
Booths,  began  turning  them  back  upon  the  English 
market.  In  the  fall  of  1875  he  sold  to  Mr.  A.  H. 
Browne  of  Northumberland  ^ve  Booth  heifers  at  a 
reported  price  of  $17,500.  During  that  same  year  he 
exported  Eoyal  Commander  (29857)  and  sold  him 
at  the  Aylesby  sale  for  1,150  guineas  to  Hugh  Ayl- 
mer.  In  August,  1876,  he  shipped  two  heifers  and 
three  yearling  bulls,  also  of  Booth  blood,  to  Scot- 
land, and  in  1877,  as  above  mentioned,  he  appeared 
at  Windermere  with  a  group  of  cattle  deep  in  the 
most  fashionable  Warlaby  blood.*     Believing  also 

ifltiv^^'^'nnnfJl^^^^  attributed  the  failure  of  the  Booths  to  score  a  specu- 
latue  success  in  America  during-  this  period  largely  to  the  fact  that 
fin^sT'^Th^^'nn'th^'  that  time  insisted,  as  a  rule"^  upon  finl  stvle  and 
L  ^  i7^^  Booths,  more  especially  the  bulls,  were  somewhat  nclined 
to  roughness  about  their  heads,  having  been  bred  more  for  fleJh  and 


498  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

that  the  English  market  at  this  time  afforded  a  bet- 
ter prospect  for  high  prices  for  Bates  cattle  than 
America  he  included  in  this  shipment  the  red  Duch- 
ess heifers  3d  and  5th  Duchesses  of  Hillhurst  and 
the  2d  Duke  of  Hillhurst. 

The  event  demonstrated  that  Mr.  Cochrane 's 
judgment  was,  as  usual,  not  at  fault.*  The  yearling 
5th  Duchess  of  Hillhurst  was  taken  by  Earl  Bective 
at  4,300  guineas,  the  highest  price  ever  paid  for  a 
cow  in  Great  Britain ;  the  yearling  3d  Duchess  went 
to  E.  Loder  at  4,100  guineas,  and  the  six-year-old 


constitution  than  for  refinement.  Again  they  ran  strongly  toward  light 
colors.  Another  reason  was  found  in  the  fact  that  quite  a  number  of 
the  high-priced  imported  Booth  cows  and  heifers  had  failed  to  breed. 

♦This  sale  was  one  of  the  few  events  in  Short-horn  history  to  which 
a  genuine  international  interest  attached.     While  no  American  bidders 
were  present  the  occasion  stirred  the  British  Short-horn  breeding  fra- 
ternity to  its  very  depths.     Senator  Cochrane  had  shrewdly  baited  his 
hook  to  attract  the  heavy-weights  of  both  the  Bates  and  Booth  factions. 
The  excitement  was  intense,  as  record  prices  were  made  on  the  Duchess 
heifers,  and  after  the  sale  a  rather  clever  parody  entitled  "The  Far- 
mada,  by  Thomas  Babblington  Mock-a-lay,"  appeared  in  the  London 
Livestock  Journal,  from  which  we  make  the  following  excerpts: 
"High  on  his  break  sits  Bective ;  meek  near  the  ring  stands  Torr, 
"\Miile  Staniforth  with  Loder  hold  with  Allsopp  friendly  war  ; 
There  is  Crosbie  from  wild  Kerry  and  Foster  from  Killhow, 
There  is  Salt  from  busy  Bradford  and  Longman  from  'The  Row  ;* 
The  rival  strains  commingle  and  forget  their  deadly  hates. 
As  now  the  cry's  for  Booth  blood  and  now  again  for  Bates. 
But  hark  !  the  war  commences,  fair  shines  the  sun  upon 
The  friendly  legions  marshalled  by  the  wand  of  'Honest  John.' 
At  first  the  bids  are  modest,  and  the  small  men  have  their  way. 
But  fiercer  grows  the  struggle  when  the  giant  'plungers'  say. 
A  Duchess  proudly  walks  the  ring  and  'thousands'  fly  like  hail. 
But  Whittlebury  scores  the  prize,  the  second  of  the  sale  ; 
The  vales  of  Troutbeck  ring  with  cheers  and  echo  back  the  sounds 
As  Hillhurst's  Third  is  landed  for  o'er  four  thousand  pounds. 

*     *     * 
Waves  now  the  field  for  Warlaby  as  Vesper  Star  comes  in. 
And  silent  though  the  Bates  men  are  the  Booths  maintain  the  din. 
A  Crosbie  wins  the  maiden  for  a  thousand  guineas  down. 
Nor  rues  the  lucky  bid  that  claimed  her  for  his  own. 
More  Stars  shine  forth  in  beauty  and  make  but  little  stay. 
For  sturdy  Booth  is  'wanted'  and  quickly  Avins  its  way." 


THE  TURN   OF   THE  TIDE  49i) 

2d  Duke  of  Hilllmrst  to  A.  H.  Longman  at  800 
guineas.  The  Bates-bred  heifers  Marchioness  of 
Barrington  and  Lady  Surmise,  that  had  also  been 
exported,  fetched  respectively  800  guineas  and  400 
guineas  from  Sir  W.  H.  Salt.  The  Booth  cow  Ves- 
per Star  went  to  Mr.  W.  Talbot  Crosbie  of  Ardfert 
Abbey  at  1,000  guineas.  The  eleven-year-old  Vernal 
Star  made  450  guineas  to  Mr.  Darby.  The  nine-year- 
old  cow  White  Rose,  by  Mountain  Chief,  was  taken 
by  Rev.  T.  Staniforth  at  300  guineas.  Mr.  John 
Torr,  M.  P.,  bought  Bright  Lady,  a  nine-year-old 
roan,  at  330  guineas.  British  Queen,  eight  years 
old,  became  the  property  of  Rev.  T.  Staniforth  at 
230  guineas,  and  AYelcome  Lady  and  Queen  of 
Beauty  were  bought  by  Mr.  J.  B.  Booth  at  226 
guineas  and  120  guineas  respectively. 

Mr.  Beattie  did  not  have  as  good  luck  with  his 
lot,  although  the  41st  Duchess  of  Goodness  (of  Ken- 
tucky breeding)  fetched  205  guineas  from  Earl  Bec- 
tive.  His  Princesses  and  other  American-bred  cat- 
tle sold  at  low  figures. 

Sale  summary  for  1877.— During  this  year  3,237 
Short-horns  were  sold  in  America  for  $742,871,  an 
average  of  $230,  a  falling  off  of  $111  per  head  from 
the  average  of  1876.  In  Great  Britain  2,455  head 
were  sold  at  an  average  of  about  $274,  an  increase 
over  the  average  of  1876  of  about  $12.  During  the 
year  Col.  Gunter  had  received  $10,000  for  the  Duch- 
ess bull  5th  Duke  of  Clarence,  a  brother  to  the  Bow 
Park  4th  Duke  of  Clarence.    On  Sept.  18  E.  H.  Che- 


500  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

ney  had  sold  at  GaddesLy  the  13th  Duchess  of  Air- 
drie  to  R.  Loder  for  $11,000;  13th  Lady  of  Oxford  to 
H.  Allsopp  for  $9,500;  10th  Maid  of  Oxford  to  Earl 
Beetive  for  $8,025;  11th  Maid  of  Oxford  to  H.  Lovatt 
for  $7,000,  and  the  7th  Duke  of  Gloster  (39735)  to 
the  Duke  of  Devonshire  for  $9,250.  On  the  follow- 
ing day  Capt.  R.  E.  Oliver  sold  Grand  Duchesses 
at  Sholebroke  Lodge,  receiving  $13,750  from  Earl 
Beetive  for  Grand  Duchess  23d;  $12,250  from  the 
wealthy  brewer  H.  Allsopp  for  Grand  Duchess  29th; 
$9,000  from  Lord  Skelmersdale  for  Cherry  Grand 
Duchess  4th;  $7,550  from  Earl  Beetive  for  Grand 
Duke  31st  (38374);  $5,000  from  Sir  G.  R.  Phillips 
for  Grand  Duke  29th  (38372),  and  $4,500  from  Mr. 
Allsopp  for  Cherry  Grand  Duchess  8th.  On  July  5 
George  Fox  made  a  sale  at  Elmhurst  Hall,  at  which 
Allsopp  gave  $5,500  for  2d  Cambridge  Lady  and 
$3,500  for  Geneva's  Kirklevington  Duchess.  At 
William  Ashburner's  sale  at  Conishead  Grange  Mr. 
Allsopp  gave  $3,900  for  Bright  Eyes  6th,  $3,050  for 
Mild  Eyes  4th,  and  $3,050  for  Conishead  Wild  Eyes, 
by  24th  Duke  of  Airdrie.  Mr.  Albert  Crane  sold 
during  this  season  a  pair  of  Airdrie  Duchess  heifers 
to  Mr.  Holford  of  England  for  $28,000. 

Notwithstanding  these  fancy  figures  abroad  the 
year's  business  closed  in  America  in  bad  condition. 
Two  of  the  leading  speculators  of  the  United  States, 
Messrs.  B.  B.  Groom  of  Kentucky  and  S.  W.  Jacobs 
of  Iowa,  had  been  forced  into  liquidation,  with 
heavy  liabilities,  and  these  failures  only  proved  the 


THE  TUKN  OF  THE  TIDE  501 

prelude  of  many  others  to  follow.*  The  fall  sales  in 
America  were  everywhere  disappointing. 

No  Short-horns  were  imported  during  1877,  but 
some  sales  were  made  for  export  to  the  Japanese 
Government. 

A  falling  market.— There  were  some  private  sales 
during  1878  at  high  prices,  but  the  general  result  of 
the  year's  business  was  disastrous  to  the  speculative 
element.  Numerous  failures  in  the  American  trade 
had  precipitated  general  liquidation. 

The  assignment  of  the  Grooms  brought  178  head 
of  Bates-bred  Short-horns  upon  the  market  at  auc- 
tion June  19  and  20, 1878,  but  support  was  furnished 
by  numerous  bidders,  and  a  general  average  of  $405 
was  made  upon  the  entire  lot.  Leading  sales  were 
as  follows:  Kirklevington  Duchess  of  Horton, 
bought  for  Bow  Park  at  $2,800;  Kirklevington  Duch- 
ess of  Kent  2d,  Avery  &  Murphy,  $2,000;  Wild  Eyes 
of  Vinewood,  same  firm,  $2,800;  Winsome  16th,  taken 
to  Bow  Park  at  $2,600;  Miss  Wild  Eyes  3d,  Hon.  M. 
H.  Cochrane,  $1,900;  Lally  8th  and  Barrington  Lally, 
A.  L.  Hamilton,  $1,550  and  $1,525  respectively;  May 
Rose  4th,  Col.  Le  G.  B.  Cannon,  $2,010;  Bell  Duchess, 


*An  incident  of  the  trade  that  attracted  widespread  attention  about 
this  period  was  a  suit  for  damag-es  brought  by  Hon.  T.  J.  Megibben 
against  E.  G.  Bedford,  both  of  Kentucky.  The  case  grew  out  of  the 
purchase  by  Mr.  Megibben  of  Mr.  Bedford's  half  interest  in  the  Duchess 
bull  Duke  of  Woodland  that  had  been  dropped  by  the  4th  Duchess  of 
Oneida,  purchased  jointly  by  these  gentlemen  at  the  New  York  Mills 
sale  for  $25,000.  The  calf  was  imperfect — showing  but  one  testicle — 
and  proved  impotent ;  hence  the  suit.  The  most  eminent  lawyers  in 
Kentucky  were  engaged  as  counsel,  including  the  Hon.  John  G.  Carlisle. 
W.  C.  P.  Breckenridge  and  others.  Nearly  all  the  leading  Kentucky 
breeders  of  Short-horns  were  summoned  to  give  expert  testimony.  The 
jury  disagreed,  and  at  a  second  trial  the  result  was  still  the  same.  On 
the  third  hearing  Mr.  Megibben  secured  judgment  for  $9,000. 


502  A   HISTORY   or   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

A.  F.  Duckworth,  $1,325;  2d  and  4tli  Duchesses  of 
Vinewood,  C.  H.  Andrews,  Youngstown,  0.,  $1,225 
and  $1,075  respectively;  6th  Duchess  of  Vinewood, 
S.  White,  Windsor,  Ont.,  $1,100;  15th  Lady  of  Ox- 
ford, bought  for  Bow  Park  at  $1,000.  T.  Corwin 
Anderson  of  Side  View,  Kentucky,  was  a  free  buyer 
at  this  sale. 

At  H.  N.  Moore's  sale  in  Iowa  T.  R.  Westrope 
paid  $2,150  for  the  roan  Bates  Secret  cow  Silver 
Lady,  bred  by  J.  P.  Foster  of  Killhow  and  imported 
by  John  Hope.  Notwithstanding  occasional  prices 
of  this  sort  the  2,048  head  sold  at  auction  in  America 
during  1878  averaged  but  $154.  The  situation 
abroad  was  better,  as  the  English  were  doing  busi- 
ness with  more  capital.  During  the  same  period 
2,877  head  were  sold  in  Great  Britain  at  an  average 
of  $285. 

Top  prices  in  England  for  1878.— Earl  Bective 
sold  privately  to  Allsopp  of  Hindlip  Hall  six  head 
for  about  $55,000;  among  the  number  being  8th 
Duchess  of  Oneida,  purchased  at  New  York  Mills 
and  now  transferred  at  a  reported  valuation  of  about 
$22,500;  Duchess  of  L^nderley  2d,  a  granddaughter 
of  10th  Duchess  of  Geneva,  at  a  valuation  of  $15,000, 
and  a  Bed  Rose  valued  at  $5,000.  Simon  Beattie 
shipped  during  this  season  to  England  for  account 
of  Mr.  Albert  Crane  the  27th  Duke  of  Airdrie  and 
some  Bates  and  Booth  females;  for  Avery  &  Mur- 
phy, Airdrie  Duchess  3d  and  heifer  calf  Airdrie 
Duchess  9th,  4th  Fordham    Duke    of    Oxford    and 


THE  TURX  OF  THE   TIDE  503 

Grand  Airdrie;  and  for  Pickrell  &  Kissinger  the 
Booth-bred  Bright  Lady  of  the  Realm,  an  own  sister 
to  the  famous  Breastplate.*  The  27th  Duke  of  Air- 
drie fetched  $2,225  at  the  sale  of  A.  Brogden,  being 
bought  by  Mr.  A.  H.  Lloyd. 

The  Duke  of  Devonshire  had  meantime  become 
one  of  the  great  Short-horn  powers  of  Great  Britain. 
His  herd  was  specially  distinguished  for  the  excel- 
lence of  its  Oxfords,  and  under  the  skillful  manage- 
ment of  Mr.  Drewry,  one  of  the  most  intelligent  of 
all  those  who  have  contributed  to  Short-horn  pres- 
tige  abroad,   the  Holker  Hall   Short-horns  gained 
international  fame.     Drewry  was  probably  one  of 
the  best  judges  of  his  time,  and,  while  partial  to 
Bates  blood,  gave  careful  consideration  to  the  in- 
dividual character  and  quality  of  the  herd  under 
his  charge.     At  the  Holker  sale  of  1878  Baroness 
Oxford  5th,  by  5th  Duke  of  Wetherby  (31033),  was 
taken  by  D.  Mcintosh  at  $13,300;  Grand  Duchess 
of  Oxford  22d  was  bought   by    W.    McCulloch    at 
$10,500;   Grand  Duchess   of  Oxford  21st,  by  Lord 
Penrhyn,  at  $7,750;  Grand  Duchess  of  Oxford  40th 
went  to  S.  P.  Foster  at  $8,000;  Grand  Duchess  of 
Oxford  19th  to  Maj.  Chaffey  at  $4,275;  the  44th 
Duke  of  Oxford  (39774)  to  H.  A.  Brassey  at  $8,250; 
the  45th  Duke  of  Oxford  to  Lord  Fitzhardinge  at 
$7,500,  and  the  46th  Duke  to  the  Earl  of  Ellesmere 
at  $3,330. 

At  a  sale  made  by  Mr.  J.  W.  Larking  Sir  Curtis 

*'Mv.  T.   C.  Booth  of  Warlaby  died  in  1878. 


504  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

Lampson  gave  $7,550  for  the  American-bred  3d 
Duke  of  Hillhurst  (30975).  The  Duke  of  Devon- 
shire invested  $4,525  in  Cherry  Duchess  of  Hill- 
hurst  and  $4,250  in  Marchioness  of  Worcester,  by 
8th  Duke  of  Geneva;  and  Mr.  Allsopp  gave  $3,000 
for  Belle  of  Worcester.  At  a  sale  made  by  T.  Hol- 
ford  A.  H.  Lloyd  paid  $4,050  for  Winsome  12th;  D. 
Mcintosh  gave  $4,000  for  Viscount  of  Oxford 
(40876),  and  Allsopp  paid  from  $2,000  to  $3,000  for 
several  lots. 

Dark  days  of  1879. — The  year  1879  was  a  repeti- 
tion of  the  previous  season  except  that  the  depres- 
sion in  values  of  such  cattle  as  were  expected  to 
sell  on  the  strength  of  their  breeding  was  still  more 
profound  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic.  Trade  at  both 
public  and  private  sale  in  America  was  flat,  and 
hundreds  of  those  who  had  been  chasing  the  rain- 
bows of  fashion  found  themselves  in  the  possession 
of  cattle  that  were  not  good  enough  to  command 
high  prices  on  their  merits  as  individuals  and  for 
which  no  market  existed  among  those  who  had  been 
engaged  in  the  mad  race  for  ''blue"  blood  regard- 
less of  all  other  considerations.  There  were  a  few 
speculators  who  believed  that  the  depression  was 
only  temporary,  one  of  whom  was  the  late  T.  Corwin 
Anderson  of  Side  View,  Ky.,  who  insisted  that  pur- 
chases made  at  prices  then  prevailing  would  ulti- 
mately show  a  handsome  profit.  At  a  sale  made  from 
Bow  Park  at  Dexter  Park,  Chicago,  Oct.  17,  Mr. 
Anderson  gave  $1,000  for  Kirklevington  Duchess 


THE  TUKN  OF  THE  TIDE  505 

23d;  but  there  were  few  who  had  sufficient  courage 
to  take  hold  at  any  such  price.  The  total  number 
of  cattle  sold  during  the  year  in  America  was  2,865, 
disposed  of  at  the  very  unsatisfactory  average  of 
$115.  Of  these  more  than  2,000  were  sold  under  the 
hammer  of  Col.  J.  W.  Judy.  An  illustration  of  the 
general  desire  to  liquidate  was  afforded  by  the  fact 
that  during  this  season  the  Hamiltons  of  Kentucky 
sold  336  head  at  auction  at  Kansas  City  at  an  aver- 
age of  $109  each. 

Wealthy  English  noblemen  and  land-holders  still 
managed  to  keep  things  moving  on  the  other  side. 
Mr.  Fox  sold  Duke  of  Elmhurst,  out  of  the  Ameri- 
can-bred 20th  Duchess  of  Airdrie,  to  go  to  Australia 
at  $10,000.    At  Lord  Dunmore's  sale  Allsopp  gave 
$16,000  for  Duchess  117th  and  $13,500  for  Duchess 
114th,  and  Sir  Curtis  Lampson  paid  $6,250  for  Duke 
of  Cornwall  2d   (43082).     At  Lord  Skelmersdale's 
sale  at  Latham  House  in  September  Mr.  B.  Loder 
of  Whittlebury  paid  $10,000  for  Duchess  of  Orms- 
kirk.     At  Lord  Braybrook's  sale  at  Audley  End, 
Allsopp  gave  $5,000  for  Thorndale  Rose  7th;  Earl 
Bective  paid  $4,500  for  Thorndale  Eose  9th  and  Sir 
Curtis  Lampson  $3,000  for  Thorndale  Rose  12th.    At 
Col.  Kingscote's  sale  Lord  Fitzhardinge  gave  $5,500 
for  Oxford  Belle  5th;  and  the  bull  Oxford  Beau  7th 
(42082),  by  Duke  of  Hillhurst,  was  bought  by  Mr. 
Angas  of  Australia    at    $3,375.     Mr.    Angas    also 
bought  a  number  of  the  get  of  Duke  of  Connaught 
at  Lord  Fitzhardinge 's  Berkeley  Castle  sale,  includ- 


506  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

ing  Lady  Wild  Eyes  12tli  at  $2,000.  At  this  same 
sale  Mr.  J.  A.  Rolls  gave  $3,750  for  Kirklevington 
Empress  2d,  by  Duke  of  Connaught.  Notwithstand- 
ing these  occasional  high  prices  the  general  trend 
of  values  in  Great  Britain  was  also  .downward,  the 
sales  for  the  year  aggregating  2,354  head  at  an  aver- 
age of  $240.  This  average  would  have  been  mate- 
rially less  but  for  the  few  sensational  prices  above 
quoted. 

The  rally  of  1880.— The  panic  which  had  prevailed 
among  the  holders  of  speculative  lots  in  America 
for  several  years  had  now  spent  its  force  in  large 
degree  and  a  somewhat  better  feeling  prevailed.  On 
June  30  Hon.  M.  H.  Cochrane  ventured  the  sale  of 
forty-three  head  at  Dexter  Park,  Chicago,  which 
made  the  handsome  average  of  $900.  This  result 
was  largely  due  to  the  liberal  bidding  of  Col.  Le 
Grand  B.  Cannon,  a  wealthy  fancier  of  Burlington, 
Vt.,  who  paid  $8,000  each  for  the  7th  and  8th  Duch- 
esses of  Hillhurst.  Mr.  N.  P.  Clarke  of  St.  Cloud, 
Minn.,  purchased  the  7th  Duke  of  Hillhurst  34221  at 
$3,900.  The  Bow  Park  management  took  Kirklev- 
ington Duchess  of  Kent  2d  at  $2,600  and  Mr.  Bron- 
son  C.  Eumsey  of  Niagara  Stock  Farm,  Buffalo,  N. 
Y.,  paid  $4,150  for  Marchioness  of  Barrington  5th 
and  6th. 

In  December,  1879,  two  disastrous  fires  had  oc- 
curred among  the  buildings  of  Bow  Park,  the  insti- 
tution suffering  great  loss.  The  indirect  result  of 
this  was  to  force  the  company  to  ship  a  large  num- 


THE  TURN   OF  THE  TIDE  507 

ber  of  cattle  to  the  States.  The  old  Glen  Flora 
Farm  of  Messrs.  Parks  at  Waukegan,  111.,  was  select- 
ed as  a  suitable  distributing  point,  and  several  sales 
were  afterward  made  at  which  prices  ranged  well 
above  the  average  being  obtained  at  Western  sales.* 

The  Hamiltons  of  Kentucky  were  still  free  sellers, 
disposing  of  190  head  at  Kansas  City  in  May  for  an 
average  of  $118.  At  a  sale  in  Chicago  they  sold 
sixty-four  head  at  an  average  of  $219,  at  which  Maj, 
S.  E.  Ward  of  Kansas  City  paid  $1,300  for  the  cow 
Rosebud.  About  500  head  were  sold  at  auction  in 
Kentucky  during  this  summer;  Mr.  T.  C.  Anderson's 
sixty-six  head  averaging  $227;  Vanmeter  &  Hamil- 
ton's fift3^-tive  head  averaged  $304;  W.  T.  Hearne's 
fifty-two  head  averaged  $287;  I.  C.  Vanmeter 's  nine- 
teen head  averaged  $320;  E.  S.  Cunningham  paying 
$1,510  for  Sharon's  Beauty  and  A.  M.  Bowman  of 
Virginia  $1,500  for  Sharon's  Belle.  Messrs.  Tracy 
sold  forty-nine  head  at  an  average  of  $272. 

The  3,222  head  sold  publicly  in  America  during 
1880  averaged  $144.  The  British  average  for  the 
same  period  on  1,820  head  was  $175;  the  only  extra- 
ordinary price  made  in  England  during  the  year 
being  $10,000  paid  by  the  Earl  of  Feversham  for  3d 
Duchess  of  Underley  at  Earl  Bective's.  Sir  Curtis 
Lampson  gave  $4,900  at  same  sale  for  12th  Maid  of 
Oxford. 

The  Vaile  and  Rumsey  importations. — In  October, 


*The  Hon.  George  Brown  died  in  the  spring  of  1880  ;  his  death  re- 
sulting from  a  shot  fired  bv  one  of  the  employes  in  the  office  of  the 
Toronto  Globe.  The  shooting  resvilted  in  a  flesh  wound  from  which 
blood-poisoning  set  in. 


508  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

1880,  importations  of  Bates  cattle  were  resumed, 
important  purchases  being  made  by  Col.  H.  M.  Vaile, 
Independence,  Mo.,  and  B.  C.  Rumsey,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

The  Vaile  importation  consisted  of  sixteen  head, 
including  some  capital  AVaterloos  from  the  fine  herd 
of  the  Rev.  J.  I.  D.  Jefferson  of  Thicket  Priory, 
Yorkshire;  Kirklevingtons  from  J.  W.  Larking,  Ash- 
down  House,  Sussex;  the  roan  Wild  Eyes  34th,  etc. 
From  this  importation  many  valuable  Short-horns 
were  bred.  Indeed,  the  Vaile  Waterloos  became 
famous  throughout  the  AYest  for  their  fine  quality 
and  flesh. 

Mr.  Rumsey's  lot  included  the  Duke  of  Connaught 
cows  Oxford  Duchess  3d,  Kirklevington  Empress 
4th,  and  Wisdom  2d;  Rowfant  Kirklevington  4th 
and  Rowfant  Peach  from  Sir  Curtis  Lampson's;  a 
Barrington  heifer  from  H.  Lovatt's  and  the  roan 
bull  Knight  of  Oxford  2d  (39549),  bred  by  R.  P. 
Davies.  During  this  season  Mr.  Rumsey  bought 
Airdrie  Duchess  8th  from  Avery  &  Murphy  at  a  re- 
ported price  of  $10,000. 

Sales  of  1881. — Considerable  activity  and  some 
strong  prices  characterized  the  auction  sales  of  1881. 
An  offering  of  fifty-five  head  from  Bow  Park  made 
at  Glen  Flora  Farm,  brought  the  gratifying  average 
of  $516.35.    Messrs.  DeGraff  &  Brown  of  Minnesota* 


*Col.  Charles  A.  DeGraff,  who  bought  this  cow  jointly  with  H.  F. 
Brown,  was  the  owner  of  the  beautiful  estate  known  as  Lake  Elysian 
Stock  Farm,  near  Janesville,  Minn.  He  was  a  big,  broad-gauged,  gen- 
erous-hearted man,  who  for  some  years  contributed  largely  to  live- 
stock improvement  in  the  Northwest,  and  his  death,  which  occurred  a 
few  years  since,  removed  from  the  fraternity  of  American  stock-breed- 
ers one  of  its  most  admirable  characters. 


THE  TURN  OF  THE  TIDE  509 

paid  $4,200  for  Duchess  of  Oxford  21st;  H.  L.  Stout, 
Dubuque,  la.,  $2,550  for  I^rklevington  Duchess 
26th,  $2,350  for  46th  Duke  of  Oxford  and  $1,810  for 
10th  Duchess  of  Barrington,  and  Hon.  John  Went- 
worth  took  the  8th  Duke  of  Kirklevington  at  $1,760. 
As  indicating  the  magnitude  of  the  business  being 
transacted  at  West  Liberty,  la.,  it  may  be  mentioned 
that  in  the  spring  of  this  year  the  late  Robert  Miller 
and  others  sold  about  250  head  at  auction,  the  aver- 
age price  received  on  the  lot  being  $123.50. 

On  May  18  and  19  at  Port  Huron,  Mich.,  Messrs. 
Avery  &  Murphy  and  John  P.  Sanborn  sold  122  head 
at  an  average  of  $950.  The  Messrs.  Hamilton  of 
Kentucky  bought  Airdrie  Duchess  2d  at  $7,000  and 
Airdrie  Duchess  5th  at  $3,000.  Mitchell  Bros,  of 
Detroit  bid  off  Airdrie  Duchess  11th  at  $5,055.  T. 
C.  Anderson  of  Kentucky  paid  $2,900  for  Wild  Eyes 
of  Vinewood  and  $2,000  for  Wild  Eyes  of  Vinewood 
2d.  G.  J.  Hagerty  of  Ohio  gave  $1,500  for  Marquis 
of  Oxford  39861,  and  J.  S.  Berry  of  Kentucky  took 
imp.  Kirklevington  Princess  2d  at  $2,010. 

At  the  Hamilton  sale  in  Kentucky,  in  August, 
sixty-one  head  averaged  $489.25;  top  prices  being 
$1,705  paid  by  E.  L.  Chrisman,  Independence,  Mo., 
for  Kirklevington  Lady  Oxford  2d;  $1,515,  $1,500 
and  $1,025  by  Gen.  John  S.  Williams  of  Kentucky 
for  three  Kirklevingtons ;  $1,510  by  J.  M.  Bigstaff  of 
Kentucky  for  Barrington  Place,  and  $1,225  for  T.  C. 
Anderson  for  Peach  Blossom  9th.  Mr.  Ben.  F.  Van- 
meter  was  at  this  time    in    partnership    with    the 


510  A   HISTORY    OF    SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

Messrs.  Hamilton,*  and  at  a  sale  held  by  the  firm  of 
Vanmeter  &  Hamilton  this  season  seventy-three 
head  averaged  $519;  ten  head  of  Renick  Roses  of 
Sharon  being-  knocked  off  at  prices  ranging  np  to 
$3,000. 

On  Nov.  10  the  Bow  Park  people  sold  thirty-eight 
head  at  Glen  Flora  Farm  at  an  average  of  $555 ;  Mr. 
A.  J.  Alexander  of  Woodburn  Farm,  Kentucky,  buy- 
ing imp.  Kirklevington  Duchess  of  Horton — famous 
as  the  dam  of  the  fat-stock  show  champion  Clarence 
Kirklevington— at  $2,030.  Messrs.  Henshaw,  Trim- 
ble &  Pickett  of  Plattsburg,  Mo.,  gave  $4,025  at  this 
sale  for  imp.  Grand  Duchess  of  Oxford  29th,  of  the 
Duke  of  Devonshire's  breeding.  Mr.  S.  F.  Lockridge 
of  Greencastle,  Ind.,  paid  $1,700  for  Waterloo  38th, 
and  the  Hon.  Emory  Cobb  of  Kankakee,  111.,  pur- 
chased imp.  Kirklevington  Duchess  17th  at  $1,270. 

A  new  era  at  hand. — Another  milestone  in  Short- 
horn history  had  now  been  reached.  The  great  out- 
burst of  enthusiasm  for  cattle  of  the  Bates,  Booth, 
and  allied  tribes  which  had  swept  over  England  and 
America  was  now  subsiding.  In  its  earlier  phases  it 
represented  the  tribute  of  the  cattle-breeding  world 
to  the  genius  of  successful  breeders;  the  verdict  of 
two  continents  upon  the  refinement,  beauty,  and 
quality  of  the  Bates-bred  tribes  and  the  sturdy  sub- 
stance and  deep  flesh  of  the  Warlaby  stock.  Un- 
doubtedly merit  lay  at  the  foundation  of  the  fashions 


*  Messrs.  Vanmeter  &  Hamiltons  had  a  few  years  prior  to  this  sale 
acquired  by  purchase  about  one-half  of  Mr.  Renick's  herd,  including 
quite  a  number  of  the  4th  Duke  of  Geneva  cows. 


THE  TURN   OF  THE  TIDE  511 

that  ruled  tlie  sale-rings  of  both  continents  for  so 
many  years,  as  detailed  in  the  foregoing  pages.  Un- 
fortunately not  all  of  those  who  made  investments 
during  this  period  were  actuated  by  a  desire  to  pro- 
mote the  interests  of  the  breed.  Indeed,  as  the  great 
' '  boom ' '  progressed  it  drew  to  itself  many  who  sim- 
ply improved  the  opportunity  to  indulge  their  specu- 
lative instincts  without  any  special  reference  to  the 
effect  of  their  operations  upon  the  general  welfare. 
Many  of  the  Duchesses,  Princesses,  Eose  of  Sharons 
and  other  favorites  were  bought  at  enormous  prices 
not  because  they  w^ere  better  than  the  average  well- 
bred  Short-horn  of  their  time,  but  in  the  hope  that 
some  other  eager  investor  would  be  willing  to  pay  a 
like  price  for  the  progeny.  It  will  be  observed  from 
a  perusal  of  the  preceding  chapters  that  only  such 
tribes  were  systematically  ' '  promoted '  ^  as  were  com- 
paratively scarce  and  in  few  hands.  It  would  have 
been  idle  for  any  man  or  group  of  men  to  attempt  to 
maintain  such  figures  for  any  of  the  more  prolific  or 
widely-distributed  sorts. 

Injudicious  breeding. — In  some  instances  these 
high-priced  cattle  fell  into  the  hands  of  careful  men 
who  handled  them  with  a  decent  regard  for  sound 
principles  of  breeding.  In  some  herds  they  were 
mated  with  consummate  skill  and  judgment,  and  the 
original  merit  of  the  stock  was  in  these  exceptional 
cases  fairly  well  maintained.  Too  often,  however, 
these  unfortunate  descendants  of  a  noble  ancestry 
became  the  mere  tools  of  speculators  and  the  victims 


512  A   HISTORY  OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

of  a  vicious  system  which  could  have  but  one  result, 
to-wit:  inevitable  deterioration.  A  certain  set  even 
undertook  the  foolhardy  task  of  breeding  the  Bates 
tribes  "absolutely  pure.''  There  were  still  in  exist- 
ence more  than  thirty-five  years  after  the  death  of 
Thomas  Bates  cattle  belonging  to  families  orig- 
inated either  by  himself  or  his  tenants,  the  Messrs. 
Bell,  which  had  been  kept  squarely  within  strict 
Bates  lines;  that  is  to  say,  entirely  free  from  admix- 
tures of  blood  from  any  other  than  the  Bates  source. 
One  has  but  to  hark  back  to  the  practice  of  Bates 
himself  to  find  ample  warrant  for  characterizing  this 
procedure  on  the  part  of  certain  of  his  alleged  disci- 
ples as  utterly  unworthy  not  only  of  the  master  of 
Kirklevington,  but,  as  a  proposition  in  scientific 
breeding,  not  to  be  considered  by  intelligent  men. 
Fortunately  there  were  but  few  who  undertook  to 
carry  this  reckless  practice  to  extreme  lengths.  It 
was  pointed  out  that  but  for  the  outcrossed  families, 
not  only  of  the  Bates  but  of  the  Booth  tribes,  the 
main  channels  of  those  bloods  would  have  ceased  to 
cut  much  figure  upon  the  Short-horn  map.  The 
"pure"  Duchesses  about  this  time  became  extinct 
both  in  Europe  and  America,  leaving  the  field,  so 
far  as  Mr.  Bates'  favorite  family  was  concerned,  to 
the  outcrossed  branches.  The  effort  to  preserve  the 
Kirklevington  tribes  for  an  indefinite  period  free 
from  admixture  of  other  blood  met  with  no  success 
so  far  as  sustaining  the  individual  merit  of  the  cattle 
was  concerned. 


THE  TURN  OF  THE  TIDE  513 

Evils  of  speculation. — There  is  nothing  so  danger- 
ous as  popularity.  Whenever  it  is  demonstrated 
that  cattle  of  any  particular  line  of  breeding  possess 
pronounced  merit  and  represent  a  blood  concentra- 
tion likely  to  insure  prepotency  a  widespread  de- 
mand leads  to  the  retention  for  breeding  purposes 
of  ^'all  sorts  and  conditions'^  of  cattle  carrying  the 
coveted  pedigree.  The  really  good  specimens  are 
taken  by  leading  breeders  or  wealthy  speculators  at 
fancy  prices,  leaving  the  inferior  and  indifferent 
"misfits''  for  those  whose  purse  does  not  permit  of 
the  purchase  of  the  best.  Thus  it  came  to  pass  that 
during  the  years  of  inflated  values  the  tendency  of 
Short-horn  breeding  was  away  from  correct  stand- 
ards, so  far  as  practical  excellence  for  the  farm,  the 
dairy,  or  the  feed-lot  was  concerned.  The  entire 
breed  was  "honeycombed"  by  the  speculative 
mania.  At  the  same  time  there  were  not  only  in 
Great  Britain  but  America  certain  sturdy  characters 
who  refused  to  be  stampeded  at  the  crack  of  fash- 
ion 's  whip.  There  were  in  nearly  every  State  in  the 
Union,  as  well  as  in  Canada  and  Great  Britain,  de- 
voted lovers  of  the  breed  who,  often  at  great  appar- 
ent cost  to  themselves,  maintained  the  sacred  fires 
of  the  early  Short-horn  faith.  True  to  the  principles 
of  those  who  gave  the  breed  to  the  world  they  per- 
sistently pursued  individual  excellence  in  the  animal 
as  the  corner  stone  of  all  progress ;  and  to  these  men 
the  breed  owes  its  preservation  from  those  who  were 
unintentionally  poisoning  the  very  fountains  of  its 
vitality. 


514  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

The  spur  of  opposition. — Several  causes  conspired 
to  bring  American  breeders  to  their  senses  about 
this  period.    Coincident  with  the  declining  merit  for 
practical  purposes  of  those  tribes  that  were  most 
frequently  in  the  public  eye  came  the  invasion  of 
the  markets  of  the  West  by  two  of  Britain's  most 
distinguished  beef  types,  to-wit:  the  Herefords  and 
black  polls.     The   establishment  of  the  American 
Fat-Stock  Show  at  Chicago,  which  occurred  in  1878, 
gave  these  new  candidates  for  public  favor  an  oppor- 
tunity of  which  they  were  not  slow  to  take  advan- 
tage.   ''White-faces''  and  "doddies"  began  to  ap- 
pear in  force  for  the  first  time  in  the  history  of 
American  cattle-breeding  at  the  great  State  fairs  of 
the  West.    Enterprising  and  intelligent  men  devoted 
time  and  ample  capital  to  a  presentation  of  their 
merits  as  feeders'  and  butchers'  beasts.    It  was  ap- 
parent from  the  beginning  that  before  the  tribunal 
of  practical  men  constituting   the    great   body    of 
Western  feeders  and  stock-yards  buyers  only  such 
Short-horns  as  possessed  substance,  feeding  capacity 
and  natural  wealth  of  flesh  could  successfully  defend 
the  colors  of  the  ' '  red,  white  and  roan. ' '    Style  with- 
out stamina  could  not  resist  the  shock.    Finish  with- 
out flesh  failed  to  satisfy  the  cold  logic  of  the  block. 
Those  who  had  been  dictating  terms  to  the  Short- 
horn cattle-breeding  fraternity  were  now  confronted 
with  a  competition  that  based  its  claims  not  upon 
past  reputation,   but   upon    actual   present   worth. 
Those  who  were  endeavoring  to  sustain  the  prestige 


THE  TURN  OF  THE  TIDE  515 

of  the  prevailing  fashionable  type  made  a  brave 
effort  to  cope  with  their  formidable  adversaries,  and 
in  some  noteworthy  instances  succeeded  in  present- 
ing animals  fit  to  stand  for  the  credit  of  any  breed  at 
any  time  in  any  place.  Such  isolated  instances, 
however,  only  serv^ed  all  the  more  effectually  to 
prove  that  something  weightier  than  mere  pedigree, 
something  more  tangible  than  mere  pride  of  birth 
was  the  crying  need  of  the  hour. 

Scotch  cattle  to  the  fore. — Naturally  in  such  an 
emergency  the  character  of  the  Short-horns  avail- 
able at  the  time  for  repelling  the  newly-introduced 
breeds  became  the  subject  of  close  scrutiny.  Exam- 
ination of  the  breeding  of  the  cattle  that  had  been 
sustaining  and  were  still  battling  for  the  honor  of 
the  breed  at  leading  shows  in  the  West  revealed  the 
fact  that  the  fighting  line  was  not  held,  as  a  general 
proposition,  by  animals  representing  the  prevailing 
fashionable  blood.  It  so  happened  that  at  this  crit- 
ical juncture  in  Short-horn  affairs  on  this  side  the 
Atlantic  some  of  the  stoutest  defenders  of  Short- 
horn fame  against  rival  breeds  had  been  brought 
from  the  old-established  herds  of  Scotland,  Baron 
Booth  of  Lancaster  (half -Booth,  half-Scotch),  Vio- 
let's Forth,  the  Golden  Drops,  Orange  Blossom  18th, 
and  other  North  Country  cattle  that  had  been  seen 
in  the  West  in  former  years  were  recalled  as  types 
of  the  stamp  now  demanded.  The  Scotch-bred  Duke 
of  Eichmond  21525  and  other  cattle  of  his  compact, 
fleshy  conformation  were  even  then  holding  back 


516  A  HISTORY  OF  SHOET-HOE.N  CATTLE 

the  Hereford  host.  The  hour  had  struck;  and  the 
early  " eighties''  found  the  Aberdeenshire  Short- 
horn claiming  the  center  of  the  American  Short- 
horn stage. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 
SCOTLAND'S    SEARCHING   TEST 

On  the  rich  farming  lands  of  England  and  Amer- 
ica the  Short-horns,  as  a  prolific  source  of  both  proiit 
and  pleasure,  had  received  early  and  adequate  recog- 
nition. For  half  a  century  "John  Bull"  and  "Broth- 
er Jonathan"  had  been  heaping  honors  and  riches 
at  the  feet  of  the  "red,  white  and  roan"  with  a  reck- 
lessness unparalleled  in  agricultural  history,  but  in 
winning  its  way  into  their  affections  the  breed  had 
reveled  in  the  bounty  of  the  most  opulent  agricul- 
ture the  world  has  ever  seen.  Could  it  maintain  its 
superiority  when  the  path  no  longer  led  through  the 
grassy  vales  of  York  and  Durham,  or  by  the  rustling 
cornfields  of  "the  States"?  It  was  not  until  long 
after  the  great  feeders  of  the  Ohio  Valley  began  driv- 
ing their  fine  big  Short-horn  steers  to  seaboard 
markets  that  the  tenant  farmers  of  the  North  of 
Scotland  undertook  to  answer  this  pertinent  ques- 
tion in  a  district  where  balmy  breezes,  sunny  skies, 
rich  pastures,  groaning  grain  bins  and  other  bovine 
"creature  comforts"  were  conspicuous  mainly  by 
their  absence ;  and  the  triumphant  vindication  of  the 
intrinsic  value  of  Short-horn  blood,  under  appar- 
ently adverse  conditions  of  soil  and  climate,  result- 
ing from  that  practical  test  makes  up  one  of  the 

517 


518  A  HISTOEY  OF  SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

brightest  chapters  in  the  annals  of  the  breed.  Inci- 
dentally it  also  furnishes  a  lesson  in  good  farming 
that  is  world-wide  in  its  application.  The  story  of 
the  Short-horn  in  the  North  of  Scotland  has,  there- 
fore, a  deep  significance. 

"Caledonia  stem  and  wild." — Within  the  memory 
of  the  generation  now  passing  Aberdeenshire,  a  com- 
paratively bleak  and  unproductive  country,  was 
unknown  as  a  producer  of  prime  beef.  To-day, 
thanks  to  Short-horn  blood,  turnips,  Capt.  Barclay 
of  Ury,  Grant  Duff  of  Eden,  Hay  of  Shethin,  Watson 
of  Keillor,  McCombie  of  Tillyfour,  the  Cruickshanks 
of  Sittyton,  their  contemporaries  and  successors,  it 
is  one  of  the  primary  factors  in  the  world's  supply. 
Reaching  from  the  Northern  Highlands  of  Perth 
and  the  forest  of  Glen  Ey, 

"Land   of  brown   heath   and   shaggy   wood; 
Land  of  the  mountain  and  the  flood," 

to  where  Kinnaird  Head  finally  plows  its  way  into 
the  surf  of  Northern  seas,  Aberdeenshire  presents  a 
rolling  landscape,  strewn  for  the  most  part  with 
the  stony  debris  deposited  by  the  ancient  glaciers  of 
the  Grampians.  A  rough,  broken  country,  possess- 
ing but  limited  areas  of  good  soil,  wanting  in  natural 
shelter,  swept  for  a  good  portion  of  the  year  by  the 
chill  East  winds  of  the  German  Ocean,  and  enduring 
the  long,  dark  winters  of  a  latitude  of  58  deg.  north, 
it  is  one  of  the  marvels  of  our  time  that  the  Aber- 
donian  tenantry  and  their  neighbors  of  adjacent  dis- 
tricts in  the  face  of  such  environment  should  have 
won  so  high  a  place  in  the  farming  world. 


SCOTLAND'S  SEARCHING  TEST  519 

Science,  "roots"  and  Short-horns.— For  genera- 
tions the  Xortliern  farmers  had  made  but  little  prog- 
ress in  the  improvement  of  their  cattle.  A  scanty 
herbage  was  grazed  by  the  native,  unimproved, 
black  hornless  breed  of  the  district,  or  by  the  shaggy 
little  steers  from  the  Western  Highlands,  and  these 
supplied  what  beef  was  required  for  local  consump- 
tion. The  feeding  of  cattle  for  distant  markets,  as 
a  regular  source  of  revenue,  could  receive  but  scant 
attention.  In  the  course  of  time,  however,  science 
came  to  the  rescue.  Experience  proved  the  benefi- 
cent effects  of  lime  and  bone  dust  upon  many  hith- 
erto sterile  stone-fenced  fields,  thus  paving  the  way 
for  the  successful  introduction  of  the  culture  of 
turnips  as  a  stock  food;  since  carried  to  a  degree  of 
perfection  unknown  in  any  other  country.  Marsh 
and  moor-lands  were  transformed  by  drainage  and 
artificial  fertilization.  Some  good  grass  followed; 
and  this,  along  with  the  "neeps"*  and  oat  fields, 
provided  a  firm  foundation  for  a  more  profitable 
agriculture.  Indeed,  ''roots"  fairly  revolutionized 
North-Country  farming  and  rendered  it  possible  to 
attempt  the  improvement  of  the  size  and  weight  of 
the  Aberdeenshire,  Banff  and  Forfar  herds  with 
prospects  of  success.!     The  experiment  was  made 

*  Colloquial  Scotch  for  turnips. 

t During  a  visit  to  Aberdeenshire  in  1892  the  author  was  shown  a 
fine  turnip  field — on  one  of  the  farms  held  by  Mr.  William  Duthie  from 
the  Earl  of  Aberdeen — which,  originally  a  peat  bog,  had  been  drained 
and  reclaimed  at  a  cost  to  the  tenant  of  about  £30  per  acre.  Inasmuch 
as  this  sum  ($150)  represents  about  double  the  value  in  fee  simple  of 
good  American  farms,  this  fact  affords  a  fitting  illustration  of  the  ex- 
pense and  labor  with  which  many  North  of  Scotland  farms  were  adapted 
to  the  requirements  of  successful  cattle-breeding. 


520  A  HISTOKY   OF   SHOKT-HORN   CATTLE 

and  carried  to  a  successful  issue  primarily  by  the 
use  of  Sliort-horn  blood. 

Feed-lot  considerations  paramount. — Those  who 
inaugurated  this  work  of  improvement,  as  well  as 
those  who  followed  in  their  footsteps,  were,  as  a 
rule,  men  who  made  a  living  by  their  own  unaided 
efforts.  Upon  those  Northern  hills  life  was  real  and 
earnest.  There  was  no  place  in  the  local  agriculture 
for  the  purely  ornamental.  Cattle  had  first  of  all  to 
be  of  a  rent-paying  sort.  This  called  for  sound  con- 
stitutions to  enable  the  animals  to  withstand  the  cli- 
mate and  for  a  feeding  quality  and  early  maturity 
that  would  give  prompt  and  full  returns  in  the  feed- 
lot  for  all  forage  consumed.  Those  to  whom  the 
early  breeders  had  to  look  for  the  sale  of  their  sur- 
plus bulls  were  men  who  had  roofs  to  keep  over  their 
heads.  They  could  indulge  in  no  "fads'^  or  fancies. 
The  get  of  any  sire,  no  matter  how  distinguished  his 
lineage,  were  studiously  shunned  unless  showing 
plainly  the  qualifications  demanded  in  an  atmos- 
phere where  economy  and  practical  utility  were  the 
essential  handmaids  of  thrift. 

It  thus  happened  that  Short-horn  breeding  in  the 
North  rested  from  the  beginning  on  the  bedrock  of 
actual  merit  for  feeding  purposes. 

Crossing  the  border.  —  Tweedside  marks  the 
Northern  confines  of  England.  At  the  river's  mouth, 
on  the  Scottish  side,  stands  the  historic  city  of  Ber- 
wick, sternly  typical  of  the  character  of  the  people 
over  whose  destinies  it  kept  "watch  and  ward''  for 


521 

centuries.  On  the  grassy  southern  bank  lies  ancient 
Northumbria  and  Flodden  Field.  The  ruined  battle- 
ments of  Norham  Castle  remind  the  traveler  in  these 
parts  of  the  Border  Country's  stormy  past;  but  since 
the  days  of  William  Wallace  and  King  James  this 
pastoral  region  has  fallen  under  gentler  sway.  From 
the  Cheviots  to  the  Hills  of  Lammermoor  the  herds 
and  flocks  of  a  thrifty  husbandry  have  grazed,  free 
from  war's  alarms,  for  generations. 

Prior  to  the  introduction  of  the  breed  into  the 
Northern  Countries  it  had  already  been  proved  that 
Short-horns  would  thrive  in  the  South  of  Scotland. 
Indeed,  they  had  been  successfully  transplanted 
early  in  the  century  from  the  Valley  of  the  Tees 
across  the  border  into  the  district  lying  between  the 
River  Tweed  and  the  Firth  of  Forth.  Eobertson  of 
Ladykirk  and  Rennie  of  Phantassie  were  the  pio- 
neers in  this  forward  movement  toward  the  North; 
and  after  the  introduction  of  Short-horn  bulls  had 
aroused  the  spirit  of  improvement  among  the  farm- 
ers of  the  higher  latitude  the  blood  of  these  earliest 
Scottish  herds  became  an  important  element  in  the 
evolution  of  the  Aberdeenshire  type. 

Robertson  of  Ladykirk.  —  Residing  near  Cold- 
stream, Berwickshire,  close  by  the  placid  waters  of 
the  Tweed,  Robertson  of  Ladykirk,  Scotland's  first 
breeder  of  Short-horn  cattle,  acquired  an  early  fa- 
miliarity with  the  merits  of  the  original  Short-horn 
stock  of  Northumberland  and  Durham.  A  contem- 
porary of  the  Collings,  Mason,  Grey  of  Dilston,  Bates 


522  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

and  Thomas  Booth  he  had  ample  opportunities  for 
making  a  thorough  study  of  the  breed  while  still  in 
its  infancy.  Quick  to  adopt  practical  ideas  into  his 
own  farming  operations  he  resolved  to  transfer  to 
Scottish  territory  some  of  the  best  of  the  Ketton  and 
Barmpton  blood.  Cows  and  heifers  of  the  most  ap- 
proved Teeswater  type  were  selected  mainly  on  their 
merits  as  individuals  and  crossed  by  herd-book  bulls 
of  Colling  and  kindred  breeding.  The  canny  Scot, 
however,  was  opposed  to  the  whole  scheme  of  pedi- 
gree registration.  Geo.  Coates  and  his  saddlebags 
found  no  welcome  at  Ladykirk.  Bobertson  held  that 
the  attempt  to  limit  the  choice  of  cattle  reared  for 
practical  farm  purposes  to  such  as  might  chance  to 
be  bred  within  herd-book  lines  constituted  an  unrea- 
sonable check  upon  freedom  of  individual  judgment 
and  would  prove  a  bar  to  real  progress.  Fortu- 
nately for  the  breed  Jonas  Whitaker  and  others  saw 
the  wisdom  of  providing  a  foundation  for  the  future 
by  recording  the  lineage  of  the  first  of  the  ''im- 
proved" Short-horns.  Although  registration  went 
steadily  on  in  England  the  Berwickshire  breeders' 
patronage  was  stubbornly  withheld.  It  transpires, 
therefore,  that  the  breeding  of  the  Ladykirk  cows, 
although  well  known  to  their  owner,  was  never  put 
on  record  and  those  who  started  from  this  essentially 
sound  and  substantial  stock  of  Short-horns  were 
unable  to  trace  their  pedigrees  to  their  actual  Eng- 
lish origin.  That  the  herd  was  well  bred  has  never 
been  questioned.    That  it  attained  a  high  standard 


Scotland's  searching  test  523 

of  excellence  is  borne  out  by  all  the  early  chronicles 
of  Tweedside  agriculture.  That  it  furnished  the 
foundation  for  many  a  fin.e  family  of  cattle  in  the 
North  is  one  of  the  primary  propositions  of  Scotch 
Short-horn  history. 

Rennie  of  Phantassie.— The  colors  of  the  "red, 
white  and  roan"  were  carried  from  Tweedside  to 
the  Forth  by  John  Eennie  of  the  farm  of  Phantassie, 
in  the  County  of  Haddington  (East  Lothian).  His 
father,  George  Rennie,  had  been  one  of  the  most 
active  prompters  of  agricultural  improvement  in  his 
day;  having  been  sent  when  a  mere  lad  into  the 
Tweedside  country  to  study  the  farming  of  that  dis- 
trict, where  such  men  as  Lord  Kames,  Kenton  of 
Lamberton,  Hume  of  Ninewells,  Fordyce  of  Ayton, 
and  others  had  begun  extensive  improvements  upon 
their  estates.  The  knowledge  thus  gained  by  ob- 
servation was  afterward  turned  to  good  account  at 
Phantassie.  A  man  of  fine  business  ability  and 
sound  judgment,  Rennie  rose  to  great  eminence  as 
a  breeder  and  feeder  of  fine  Short-horns  in  a  region 
already  famous  for  the  skill  of  its  farmers.*  He 
bought  from  Robertson  of  Ladykirk,  with  whom  he 
was  on  terms  of  intimate  friendship,  and  also  drew 
upon  the  herds  of  the  first  English  improvers  of  the 
breed. 

Rennie  agreed  with  Robertson  in  reference  to  the 
tlien  newly-established  Short-horn  Herd  Book  of 
England  and  also  refused  to  record  his  cattle  in  it, 

*The  farming  of  the  Lothians  is  to  this  day  a  source  of  National 
pride  in  Scotland. 


524  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

but  the  perfection  to  which  he  brought  his  herd  is 
attested  by  references  made  to  his  stock  by  Youatt, 
McCombie  and  other  authorities.  The  Northern 
farmers  who  bought  cattle  from  these  Southern 
herds  were  in  quest  of  a  profitable  feeding  type 
rather  than  particular  blood-lines.  They  knew  little 
and  probably  cared  less  about  the  disputes  as  to  the 
relative  values  of  different  strains  as  carried  on  by 
their  English  brethren.  Indeed,  those  who  owned 
animals  tracing  descent  from  these  two  primal  Scot- 
tish herds  were  quite  content  to' rest  the  pedigrees 
at  the  base  upon  the  substantial  names  and  character 
of  ^'Rennie  of  Phantassie''  or  "Robertson  of  Lady- 
kirk.'^  An  abrupt  termination  this,  one  might  say, 
and  yet  to  those  who  drew  material  from  those 
sources  it  meant  a  foundation  in  genuine  Short-horn 
merit  as  firm  as  the  granite  hills  of  their  native  land. 
Rennie  has  the  honor  of  having  supplied  the  first 
Short-horn  bull  ever  taken  into  the  territory  North 
of  the  River  Dee,  reference  to  which  will  be  made 
further  on.* 


*"We  have  been  honored  with  a  letter  from  Mr.  John  Rennie  on  the 
subject  of  his  stock  from  which  we  make  the  following  extract,  con- 
firmatory of  Mr.  Brown's  account,  and  which,  in  justice  to  so  enter- 
prising and  skillful  a  breeder  as  Mr.  Rennie,  should  be  placed  upon 
record:  'The  principal  breed  (he  means  among  the  few  who  have  di- 
rected their  attention  to  the  breeding  of  cattle)  is  Short-horns,  or  Tees- 
waters,  which  were  introduced  by  myself,  having  selected  them  from 
Mr.  Robertson  of  Ladykirk,  who,  I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying,  had 
some  of  the  best  Short-horns  in  the  kingdom.  I  also  had  two  or  three 
bulls  of  the  best  blood  from  the  County  of  Durham.  I  had  three  or 
four  large  sales  of  stock  which  were  attended  by  some  of  the  most 
celebrated  breeders  in  England  and  Scotland.  Bulls  were  bought  at 
from  £50  to  £120  each  to  go  200  miles  north  and  above  300  miles  south.' 

"Mr.  Brown  of  Drylaw  Hill,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  some  pre- 
vious remarks,  informs  us  that  about  the  years  1818  and  1819  the  Short- 


Scotland's  searching  test  525 

Barclay  of  Ury. — The  father  of  Short-horn  breed- 
ing in  the  North  was  one  of  the  best  known  char- 
acters of  his  day  and  generation — Capt.  Barclay  of 
Ury.  Descended  from  an  old  Kincardineshire  fam- 
ily, distinguished  for  great  physical  strength,  a  sol- 
dier by  profession  and  a  sportsman  by  instinct,  he 
developed  a  fondness  for  farming,  which  resulted  in 
his  founding  a  herd  of  Short-horns  about  the  date 
of  Mason's  sale,  from  which  those  who  afterwards 
engaged  in  the  trade  drew  many  of  their  most  valu- 
able foundation  animals.  Notwithstanding  his  suc- 
cess and  reputation  as  the  introducer  of  the  Short- 
horn in  North  Scotland  it  is  an  open  question  as  to 
whether  or  not  his  fame  in  other  directions  was  not 
even  greater  than  his  celebrity  as  a  cattle-breeder. 
An  athlete  himself,  Barclay  was  passionately  fond  of 
all  forms  of  out-of-door  sport.  It  is  said  that  he 
once  walked  1,000  miles  in  1,000  hours  on  a  wager. 
He  was  financially  interested  in  the  operation  of  the 
mail  coaches  of  East  Scotland,  and  one  of  these, 


horned  or  Teeswater  breed  of  the  best  and  purest  sort  was  introduced 
into  the  county  principally  from  the  stock  of  the  late  Mr.  Robertson  of 
Ladykirk  and  which  were  descended  in  a  direct  line  from  those  of 
Messrs.  Colling  of  Darlington.  Others  were  likewise  brought  from  some 
of  the  most  celebrated  stocks  in  the  North  of  England.  For  this  he  says 
the  county  was  indebted  to  Mr.  John  Rennie,  son  of  Mrs.  George  Rennie. 
The  produce  of  his  stock  is  now  spread  over  the  county,  and  as  a  proof 
of  its  merits  a  bullock  bred  by  Mr.  Rennie  and  fed  by  Mr.  Boyne 
of  Woodhall  received  the  second  prize  at  the  Smithfield  Cattle  Show 
in  1831. 

"Mr.  Rennie  obtained  many  prizes  from  the  Highland  and  his  own 
district  society.  He  has  had  many  beasts  that  weighed  from  eighty  to 
one  hundred  stone  (imperial  weight)  when  at  two  and  a  half  or  three 
years  old  ;  and  he  once  sold  eighteen  steers  at  two  and  a  half  years 
old  which  weighed  from  eighty -five  to  one  hundred  stone  and  for  which 
he  received  £33  per  head." — Youatt  on  Cattle,  imge  U8. 


526  A  HISTOKY  OF   SHOET-HOEN   CATTLE 

notably  the  famous  "Defiance,"  was  one  of  the  noted 
outfits  of  its  time.*  He  had  a  very  celebrated  breed 
of  game  fowls,  and  was  a  devoted  patron  of  the  cock- 
pit and  the  prize-ring.  Fond  of  arranging  fistic  en- 
counters between  the  expert  boxers  of  that  period 
he  often  served  in  the  capacity  of  ''trainer"  as  well 
as  backer.  Good  dogs  and  the  ''mimic  warfare  of 
the  chase"  also  claimed  his  attention.  Indeed  for 
more  than  a  generation  the  exploits  of  Barclay  of 
Ury,  by  flood  and  field,  furnished  the  theme  for  many 
a  "rattling"  story  told  at  officers'  "mess"  or  way- 
side inn. 

Barclay  had  inherited  from  his  father  the  estate 
of  Ury  on  the  banks  of  the  River  Cowie,  hard  by  the 
seaport  of  Stonehaven.  At  large  expense  of  time 
and  labor,  by  the  liberal  use  of  lime  and  by  the 
importation  of  skilled  plowmen  and  improved  imple- 
ments from  Norfolk,  the  elder  Barclay  had  secured 
fair  grass  and  had  successfully  introduced  the  cul- 
ture of  turnips.  The  Captain  was  on  terms  of  inti- 
mate friendship  with  Wetherell  and  had  many  inter- 
esting "sessions"  with  Watson  and  McCombie,  the 
great  improvers  of  the  Aberdeen-Angus  polls.  His 
first  great  success  with  Short-horns  followed  his  pur- 
chase of  the  best  cow  sold  at  the  dispersion  sale  of 
Mason  of  Chilton — the  beautiful  roan  Lady  Sarah 


♦Barclay  once  drove  the  "Defiance"  through  on  a  wager  of  £1,000 
from  London  to  Aberdeen  without  leaving  the  box.  It  is  said  that  on 
this  trip  the  coach  was  "horsed"  at  two  stages  by  Thoroughbreds  as 
leaders  that  had  never  been  in  harness  before.  On  arriving  at  Aber- 
deen a  friend  remarked,  "Captain,  you  must  be  tired."  Barclay  replied, 
"I  have  £1,000  that  says  I  can  drive  back  to  London  again  starting  in 
the  morn." 


Scotland's  searching  test  527 

at  150  guineas.  She  was  a  daughter  of  the  massive 
roan  cow  Portia,  illustrated  in  the  first  volume  of 
Coates'  Herd  Book.  At  Ury  she  proved  prolific, 
producing  the  bulls  Monarch  (4495),  Mahomed 
(6170),  Pedestrian  (7321),  Sovereign  (7539),  and 
the  three  heifers,  Julia,  Cecily  and  Helen.  Barclay 
was  familiar  with  the  Bakewell  scheme  of  the  Col- 
lings,  Bates  and  the  elder  Booth,  and  produced  the 
valuable  roan  bull  Mahomed,  above  mentioned,  by 
breeding  Monarch  back  to  his  own  dam,  Lady  Sarah. 
Mahomed  was  sold  as  a  calf,  but,  developing  into  a 
capital  bull,  was  bought  back  in  1839.  He  appears 
to  have  been  used  in  the  herd  until  1841,  and  sired 
among  other  valuable  animals  The  Pacha  (7612), 
the  progenitor  of  many  animals  afterward  distin- 
guished in  Scotch  Short-horn  history.  Lady  Sarah's 
daughters  Cecily  and  Helen  w^ere  sold  to  Mr.  Pollock 
of  County  Meath,  Ireland,  along  with  their  produce, 
and  their  descendants  were  afterward  to  be  seen  in 
the  noted  Booth-bred  herd  of  Barnes  of  Westland. 
Besides  Mahomed  Monarch  sired  the  successful 
stock  bull  Billy  (3151),  that  was  sold  as  a  calf  to 
Hutcheson  of  Monyruy,  who  afterward  parted  with 
him  at  a  high  price  to  Boswell  of  Kingcausie.  He 
was  winner  of  the  Highland  Society's  prize  in  1840 
and  his  heifers  gave  rise  to  many  valuable  Scottish 
tribes.  He  was  the  sire  of  the  cow  Clipper,  the 
matron  of  the  famous  Cruickshank  bull-breeding 
tribe  bearing  her  name.  Billy  (3151),  The  Pacha 
(7612),  Conqueror  (6884),  and  Premier  (6308),  all 


528  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

bred  by  Barclay,  were  used  in  founding  the  Cruick- 
shank  herd.* 

The  Ury  cattle  of  this  date  are  said  to  have  pos- 
sessed great  scale  and  substance.  In  1838  the  orig- 
inal herd,  which  owed  its  excellence  very  largely  to 
Lady  Sarah,  was  dispersed  in  order,  it  is  said,  to 
replenish  the  Captain's  purse.  The  bull  Mahomed 
seems,  however,  to  have  been  retained  at  Ury.  The 
best  lots  in  this  sale  were  the  get  of  Monarch  (4495), 
three  of  whose  daughters  made  over  £100  each. 
About  eighty  head  were  sold  for  a  total  of  £3,000. 
Lady  Sarah  at  thirteen  years  old  was  sold  to  Mr. 
Wetherell  at  40  guineas.  It  has  been  asserted  that 
she  afterward  became  the  property  of  Hugh  Watson, 
in  which  case  she  would  be  entitled  to  credit  in  con- 
nection with  the  birth  of  the  Aberdeen-Angus  breed 
as  well  as  furnishing  the  foundation  of  the  Aber- 
deenshire Short-horns.  Speaking  of  this  remarkable 
cow  the  late  Amos  Cruickshank  once  said:  ''I  ques- 
tion if  ever  there  was  a  better  breed  of  Short-horns 
either  in  England,  Scotland  or  anywhere  else  than 
the  Lady  Sarah  tribe. ' ' 

About  1840  Barclay  began  another  herd  with  Ma- 
homed at  the  head.  He  bought  ten  females  at  a  sale 
made  by  Hon.  J.  B.  Simpson  of  Babworth,  in  Not- 


♦Messrs.  Cruickshank  had  in  their  herd  at  Sittyton  at  one  time 
sixty  females  descended  from  cows  sired  by  Billy  (3151).  In  color 
he  was  a  light  roan,  almost  white,  with  broad  forehead,  eyes  prominent 
and  mild,  horns  very  short  and  pointing  toward  his  ears,  carcass  lengthy 
and  deep,  on  short  legs.  He  had  also  a  very  fine  disposition.  At  eight 
years  old  his  live  weight  was  2,500  lbs.,  and  his  girth  around  the  heart 
eight  feet  four  inches.  He  was  very  heavy  in  front,  but  not  so  neat 
and  good  in  his  hindquarters.  This  description  was  given  by  Mr.  T.  F. 
Jamieson  of  Ellon,  Aberdeenshire,  in  the  London  (Eng. )  Live-Stock 
Journal  for  May  26,  1893. 


529 

tingliamshire,  and  Wetherell  purchased  some  heifers 
and  calves  for  him  from  Burrows  of  Carleton  Hall, 
near  Carlisle.  It  is  stated  that  probably  the  best 
cow  in  this  second  herd  was  Julia,  a  roan  that  car- 
ried more  or  less  Booth  blood  and  was  sired  by 
Paganini  (2405).  She  became  the  dam  of  two  bulls 
afterward  extensively  used  at  Ury — Pacha  (7612) 
and  The  Duke  (7593).  Paganini  was  full  of  Col. 
Cradock's  blood.  The  2d  Duke  of  Northumberland 
(3646)  was  hired  for  service  from  Mr.  Bates  in  1842, 
but  after  serving  a  year  at  Ury  w^as  transferred  to 
Mr.  Grant  Duff's  herd  at  Eden,  where  he  remained 
two  years  and  got  one  very  good  bull  called  Dupli- 
cate Duke  (6952).  The  Duchess  bull  nevertheless 
did  not  leave  a  very  good  reputation  in  the  North. 
Duke  (7953)  was  another  of  his  sons,  which,  along 
with  The  Pacha,  did  most  of  the  work  in  the  herd 
during  the  remainder  of  its  existence. 

The  final  dispersion  occurred  Sept.  22,  1847,  with 
Wetherell  as  auctioneer.  There  were  about  ninety 
of  the  Ury  cattle  at  that  date,  but  prices  were  not  so 
good  as  at  the  previous  sale.  Probably  the  quality 
was  not  equal  to  the  original  Lady  Sarah  lot.  Forty- 
two  cows  averaged  £34  14s.  each,  the  highest  being 
Eosamond,  by  Sultan  (5349),  w^hich  went  to  Long- 
more  of  Eettie  at  73  guineas,  and  Molly,  by  The 
Pacha,  bought  by  Hay  of  Shethin  for  71  guineas. 
Campbell  of  Kinellar  here  laid  the  foundation  for  his 
afterward  celebrated  herd  by  the  purchase  of  two 
heifers  by  The  Pacha.    The  Messrs.  Cruickshank  of 


530  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-IIOEN    CATTLE 

Sittyton  were  also  buyers.  The  ninety-one  animals 
fetched  an  average  of  £31  Is.  each. 

Ury  was  undoubtedly  the  corner  stone  of  the  Scot- 
tish Short-horn  structure.  The  bulls  from  the  Bar- 
clay herd  were  used  originally  to  cross  upon  the 
native  black  cows,  and  the  improvement  wrought 
was  so  apparent  that  probably  a  majority  of  the 
herds  of  the  district  received  an  infusion  of  Ury 
blood.  The  result  was  a  demand  for  Short-horn 
bulls  that  finally  turned  the  attention  of  such  men 
as  Grant  Duff  of  Eden,  Hay  of  Shethin,  the  Cruick- 
slianks  of  Sittyton,  and  many  others  to  the  produc- 
tion of  pure-bred  Short-horns.* 

Hutcheson  of  Monyruy. — John  Hutcheson,  tenant 
of  the  farm  of  Monyruy,  near  Peterhead,  was  the 
owner  of  a  large  granite  quarry  that  supplied  many 
of  the  great  blocks  for  the  London  docks,  and  was 
also  interested  in  the  whale  fisheries.  He  made  a 
capital  start  in  Short-horn  breeding  in  1837  by  the 
purchase  of  Capt.  Barclay's  Billy  (3151),  above  men- 
tioned, and  secured  females  from  B.  Wilson  of  Bra- 
with,  Fawkes  of  Farnley  Hall,  Eennie  of  Kinbleth- 


*McCombie  of  Tillyfour,  who  knew  Barclay  well,  says :  "Though  he 
remains  without  a  national  acknowledgment  of  his  merits,  no  man  de- 
served better  of  the  farmers  of  Scotland,  for  he  was  their  firm  supporter 
through  life,  in  good  and  bad  report.  *  *  *  i  have  been  many  a 
day  in  company  with  him  and  have  the  most  vivid  recollection  of  him 
as  he  examined  the  stock  in  a  show-yard.  *  *  *  He  was  a  claimant 
of  the  Earldom  of  Monteith.  No  one  would  have  made  any  mistake 
as  to  Capt.  Barclay  being  a  gentleman,  although  his  dress  was  plain — 
a  long  green  coat  with  velvet  collar,  and  big  yellow  buttons  ;  a  colored 
handkerchief ;  long,  yellow  cashmere  vest ;  knee  breeches  ;  very  wide 
top-boots,  with  long  brown,  dirty  tops,  and  plain  black  hat,  generally 
pretty  well  worn.  *  *  *  His  horses  were  the  strongest  and  his 
fields  the  largest  in  the  country.  He  said,  'He  did  not  like  a  field  in 
which  the  cattle  could  see  one  another  every  day.'  *  *  *  He  was 
found  dead  in  his  bed  in  1854  ;  and  in  him  the  tenant  farmers  of  Scot- 
land and  the  poor  of  his  own  neighborhood  lost  one  of  their  best  friends." 


Scotland's  searching  test  531 

mont,  and  others.  He  also  bought  in  England  the 
great  prize-winning  bull  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax  (5196), 
of  Whitaker's  breeding.  The  bull  was  eight  years 
old  at  the  time  of  its  purchase  in  1845,  and,  although 
he  was  of  massive  character  and  had  never  been 
defeated  in  the  South,  long-continued  training  for 
the  show-yard  proved  his  ruin,  as  he  died  six  months 
after  being  taken  to  Scotland,  leaving  but  two  calves, 
both  heifers.  These  grew  up  to  be  excellent  cows, 
one  of  which,  Edith  Fairfax,  was  bought  by  Messrs. 
Cruickshank,  leaving  some  good  descendants  at  Sit- 
tyton.  The  other.  White  Fairfax,  became  the  ances- 
tress of  a  good  family  in  the  herd  of  James  Bruce  of 
Inverquhomery.  Speaking  of  these  Fairfax  heifers 
Mr.  Jamieson,  to  whom  the  author  is  indebted  for 
many  valuable  facts  in  relation  to  the  early  Aber- 
deenshire herds,  says:  ^' Edith  Fairfax  was  out  of  a 
fine  breeding  cow  called  Fancy,  by  Billy  (3151), 
while  White  Fairfax's  sire  and  dam  were  by  Billy. 
The  latter  seemed  to  have  put  constitution  into 
everything  he  got. ' ' 

In  1847  Hutcheson  visited  England  in  company 
with  Mr.  Amos  Cruickshank*  and  hired  from  War- 


*"Just  as  the  Scotchmen  were  starting,"  says  Jamieson,  "a  letter 
came  from  Peterhead  saying  that  Hutclaeson's  sliip,  the  Traveller,  had 
arrived  from  Davis  Straits  witli  a  bumper  cargo  of  oil.  He  therefore 
resolved  to  set  about  things  in  proper  style.  On  reaching  Hull  a  car- 
riage was  chartered  with  a  pair  of  spanking  horses  and  the  two  Aber- 
donians  drove  through  the  Northern  covmties  inspecting  the  various 
herds.  Mr.  Cruiclishank  had  set  his  heart  on  buying  a  fine  bull  called 
Fairfax  Royal,  bred  by  Torr,  and  to  be  sold  at  an  approaching  sale  at 
"Walkeringham.  Knowing  the  high  spirits  of  his  companion  he  dreaded 
that  Hutcheson  might  take  a  fancy  for  the  same  animal  and  be  an 
opponent  at  the  sale,  but.  as  luck  would  have  it,  Richard  Booth  came 
on  the  scene  and  carried  Hutcheson  off  witli  him  to  Warlaby,  where  he 
concluded  the  bargain  for  Fitz  Leonard." 


532  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

laby  the  bull  Fitz  Leonard  (7110)  at  80  guineas  the 
season.  He  was  shipped  by  steamer  to  Hull  and 
walked  thirty  miles  to  Monyruy  where  he  was  re- 
tained two  years.  Fitz  Leonard  was  described  by 
Peter  Boddie,  Hutcheson's  herdsman,  as  a  lengthy 
enough  beast  but  not  very  broad;  with  shortish  legs 
and  good  enough  quality.  Li  the  language  of  the 
old  cowman,  ''the  warst  thing  aboot  him  was  his 
heed.''  Although  he  proved  something  of  a  disap- 
pointment in  Scotland,  and  Amos  Cruickshank 
averred  that  he  would  not  have  used  him  at  all,  yet 
on  his  return  to  Warlaby  Fitz  Leonard  sired  Mr. 
Booth's  world-famous  Crown  Prince  (10087).  The 
Hutcheson  herd  was  dispersed  in  1852,  some  of  the 
best  cattle  going  to  Sittyton. 

Grant  Duff  of  Eden.— The  farm  of  Eden  was  a 
small  estate  along  the  banks  of  the  Eiver  Deveron 
in  Northwestern  Aberdeenshire,  on  the  Banifshire 
border,  and  between  the  years  1839  and  1854  one  of 
the  best  of  the  early  Scottish  herds  was  there  main- 
tained. Mr.  Grant,  as  he  was  known  in  his  earlier 
manhood,  had  been  in  the  employ  of  the  East  India 
Co.  and  had  acquired  reputation  as  a  man  of  tine 
judgment  in  that  ser^dce  in  Bombay.  It  was  upon 
his  inheriting  the  property  of  Eden  that  he  assumed 
the  name  of  Duff.  He  set  about  the  f oiTQation  of  his 
herd  with  a  determination  to  possess  as  good  cattle 
as  could  be  found  in  all  Britain.  He  visited  the 
Short-horn  breeding  districts  of  England  and  bought 
some  of  his  first  cows  from  Chrisp  of  Northumber- 


Scotland's  searching  test  533 

land.  From  Mr.  Crofton  he  bought  the  bull  The  Peer 
(5455).  Heifers  were  obtained  from  the  Earl  of  Car- 
lisle and  Benjamin  Wilson  of  Brawith.  On  one  of 
his  English  visits  he  met  Thomas  Bates,  who  suc- 
ceeded in  inoculating  him  with  somewhat  of  his  own 
enthusiasm  for  his  pet  strains.  The  result  was  the 
purchase  of  the  bull  Holkar  (4041),  sired  by  Belve- 
dere and  out  of  a  cow  having  two  crosses  of  2d  Hub- 
back.  He  was  a  good  individual,  four  years  old, 
deep  red  in  color,  with  a  few  white  patches,  and  was 
taken  to  Eden  in  May,  1840,  at  a  cost  of  £162.  Unfor- 
tunately he  remained  useful  but  a  short  time.  A 
few  years  later  the  2d  Duke  of  Northumberland 
(3646),  that  had  been  on  hire  at  Capt.  Barclay's,  was 
leased  for  service.  He  was  not  as  good  a  bull  as 
Holkar,  being  harsh  in  his  hair  and  possessed  of  a 
vicious  disposition,  as  well  as  a  dark  nose,  but  re- 
mained at  Eden  two  seasons  nevertheless  and  sired 
some  good  stock,  including  the  two  bulls  Duplicate 
Duke  (6962)  and  Dannecker  (7949),  the  latter  sold 
to  Longmore  of  Rettie. 

The  show-yard  victories  of  the  Booths  had  by  this 
time  begun  to  interest  the  North,  and  an  agent  was 
dispatched  to  Warlaby  for  a  bull.  It  is  stated  that 
he  was  offered  the  use  of  Buckingham  (3239),  then 
five  years  of  age;  but  as  that  great  sire  was  never 
an  impressive  animal  individually  the  proposition 
was  not  accepted,  and  Duff's  deputy  proceeded  to 
Kirklevington,  where  he  hired  Duke  of  Richmond 
(7996),  sired  by  2d  Cleveland  Lad  (3408)   out  of 


534  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOKT-HORN    CATTLE 

Duchess  50th.  This  bull  was  followed  by  two  others 
of  Bates  blood— Young  4th  Duke  (9037)  and  11th 
Duke  of  York  (11399);  both  bred  by  G.  D.  Trotter, 
near  Darlington.  While  it  thus  appears  that  the 
majority  of  the  Eden  bulls  were  of  Bates  origin, 
there  was  another  sire,  introduced  from  the  herd  of 
Wilson  of  Brawith,  that  proved  perhaps  a  better 
stock-getter  than  any  of  them  save  Holkar.  This 
was  Eobin  o'  Day  (4973),  sired  by  Mr.  Wiley's  Car- 
case (3285). 

Brawith  Bud. — The  best  coav  ever  introduced  into 
the  herd  and  one  of  the  most  valuable  ever  taken 
into  Scotland  was  the  red-and-white  Brawith  Bud — 
the  highest-priced  animal  at  the  Brawith  sale  of 
1841,  the  opposing  bidders  being  John  Booth  of  Kil- 
lerby  and  Mr.  Maynard — two  of  England's  best 
judges.  Grant  Duff  was  one  of  the  first  breeders  to 
publish  a  private  catalogue  with  foot-notes,  and  in 
one  of  these  is  found  the  following:  ** Although 
Brawith  Bud  was  as  well  recollected  in  this  district 
(Banff)  as  any  cow  that  ever  was  imported  yet,  as 
this  is  intended  as  a  record,  it  may  be  as  well  to  re- 
peat that  she  was  bred  with  great  care  and  highly 
prized  by  the  late  Peter  Consett  of  Brawith  and  left 
by  him  in  special  legacy  to  his  near  relative,  Benja- 
min Wilson,  who  never  intended  to  sell  her.  She  cost 
Mr.  Grant  Duff  £178  19s.,  and  paid  him  several  hun- 
dred per  cent.  She  was  a  useful  cow  until  eighteen 
years  of  age  and  her  sire  was  a  good  bull  when  eight- 
een years  old."  This  remarkable  cow  had  been  bred 


Scotland's  searching  test.  535 

from  a  line  of  bulls  belonging  mainly  to  Charles 
Colling 's  Old  Cherry  tribe,  receiving  also  a  bit  of 
Booth  through  her- dam's  sire,  Young  Jerr^^  (8177). 
She  was  to  Eden  what  Lady  Sarah  had  been  to  Ury, 
her  descendants  proving  the  best  cattle  in  the  herd. 
Two  of  them,  the  heifers  Second  Mint  and  Pure  Gold, 
went  into  the  Cruickshank  herd,  where  they  gave 
rise  to  one  of  the  best  Sittyton  families. 

Numerous  public  sales  were  held  from  the  herd  at 
different  times,  so  that  the  Eden  stock  became  well 
distributed  throughout  the  Northern  counties.  In 
1854  the  entire  herd  was  disposed  of  at  auction,*  the 
sale  being  in  charge  of  Mr.  Strafford,  at  that  time 
editor  of  Coates'  Herd  Book  and  the  leading  auc- 
tioneer of  Great  Britain.  No  better  evidence  of  the 
quality  of  the  herd  is  required  than  is  furnished  by 
the  fact  that  among  those  who  attended  and  pur- 
chased were  Messrs.  Cruickshank,  Torr,  Tanqueray, 
Longmore  and  others  prominent  in  the  trade.  The 
top  price  was  100  guineas,  paid  by  Tanqueray  for  a 

*NothwithstancIing  the  fact  that  2d  Duke  of  Northumberland  did  not 
make  a  particularly  favorable  impression  in  the  North,  it  is  apparent 
that  Grant  Duff  believed  that  the  Kirklevington  blood  would  prove  of 
value.  At  the  conclusion  of  his  last  annual  catalogue,  issued  (Decem- 
ber, 1853)   before  his  dispersion,  we  find  the  following: 

"The  sale  of  the  late  Earl  Ducie,  in  Gloucestershire,  has  stamped  a 
value  on  Mr.  Bates'  blood,  such  as  Mr.  B.  frequently  foretold.  The 
above  animals,  with  very  few  exceptions,  have  all  more  or  less  Kirklev- 
ington  blood,  which,  fortunately,  had  been  already  partially  infused 
into  the  stock  of  this  district  before  the  value  in  England  exceeded  all 
ordinary  competition. 

"All  the  animals  included  in  the  above  list,  with  the  exception  of  two 
cows  (Star  Pagoda  and  Manganese)  and  one  bull  not  yet  selected,  are 
intended  to  be  included  in  the  displenish  sale  at  Mains  of  Eden,  on 
Wednesday,  24th  May,  1854,  when  their  present  owner  must  cease  to 
share  in  forwarding  that  important  branch  of  rural  economy,  namely  the 
rearing  of  the  best  kinds  of  stock,  but  he  trusts  a  fair  and  generous 
rivalry  may  prolong  and  far  excel  our  present  progress  in  the  im- 
provement of  domestic  animals,  which  it  has  been  his  endeavor  to  aid 
and  stimulate." 


536  A  HISTORY   OF    SHORT-PIORN    CATTLE 

daughter  of  Brawith  Bud.  Amos  Cruickshank  took 
Pure  Gold  at  91  guineas,  and  other  lots  commanded 
up  to  90  guineas  and  95  guineas. 

Simpson  and  Buchan  Hero. — Mr.  Ferguson  Simp- 
son, tenant  of  the  farm  of  Mains  of  Pitfour,  bred  a 
good  herd  of  Short-horns  from  1835  to  1846.  His 
chief  claim  to  distinction  rests  upon  his  production 
of  the  celebrated  show  bull  Buchan  Hero  (3238), 
winner  of  the  Highland  Society's  £100  prize  at  Ber- 
wick-on-Tweed  in  1841  as  the  best  bull  of  any  age, 
competition  open  to  all  Britain.*  He  was  a  massive, 
deep-bodied,  short-legged  roan,  with  a  beautiful 
coat,  and  was  bought  at  Berwick  by  Jonas  Whitaker, 
afterward  passing  into  the  possession  of  Sir  Charles 
Tempest  at  350  guineas.  A  yearling  bull  sired  by 
him  brought  200  guineas.  The  dam  of  Buchan  Hero, 
a  cow  called  Young  Broadhooks,  produced  a  heifer, 
Eliza,  that  was  bought  for  Sittyton,  and  from  her 
the  champion  show  bull  New  Year's  Gift  (57796), 
bred  by  Lord  Lovat  and  sold  to  the  Queen  of  Eng- 
land, was  descended.  Indeed  it  is  said  that  this 
noted  prize-winner  resembled  in  essential  character- 
istics old  Buchan  Hero  himself. 

Hay  of  Shethin. — One  of  the  most  substantial 
characters  among  all  those  who  early  gave  their 


*"The  Druid"  in  his  delightful  reminiscences  of  Scottish  flocks  and 
herds,  published  under  the  title  of  "Field  and  Fern,"  spealiing  of  Buchan 
Hero's  victory  at  Berwick  says :  "One  of  his  greatest  admirers  who 
had  his  eye  to  a  'crack'  in  the  palings  on  that  memorable  day  thus  de- 
scribes the  contest.  'I  lookit,  and  they  drew  them,  and  they  sent  a  vast 
o'  them  back.  Again  I  lookit,  and  still  the  Buchan  Hero  stood  at  the 
heed.  They  had  nae  doot  of  him  then.  A  Torkshireman  was  varra 
fond  of  him.  And  he  wan  ;  and  Simpson  selt  him  to  Sir  Charles  Temp- 
est for  200,  It  was  a  prood  day,  that, .for  Aberdeenshire  and  Mr. 
Simpson.'  " 


Scotland's  searching  test.  537 

attention  to  Short-horn  breeding  in  the  North  was 
William  Hay,  tenant  of  Shethin,  one  of  the  many 
good  farms  on  the  extensive  estates  of  the  Earl  of 
Aberdeen,  situated  in  the  valley  of  the  Ythan,  near 
Tarves,  and  not  far  removed  from  Collynie,  Upper- 
mill,  Tillycairn,  and  others  since  made  famous  by 
Duthie  and  Marr.  Before  taking  up  with  pedigreed 
cattle  Hay  was  one  of  the  leading  graziers  and  feed- 
ers of  this  district  and  is  credited  with  having  been 
the  first  to  ship  bullocks  by  rail  from  Aberdeen  to 
the  London  market.  McCombie  says  that  the  bull 
Jerry  that  was  brought  to  Shethin  from  Eennie  of 
Phantassie  in  1828  by  Alexander  Hay,  a  brother  of 
William's,  was  the  first  Short-horn  that  ever  crossed 
the  Eiver  Dee.  This  primal  bull  was  white  and  was 
both  long-lived  and  prolific,  leaving  a  deep  impres- 
sion on  the  native  black  polls  of  the  district. 

Hay  began  his  Short-horn  breeding  operations  by 
purchases  from  Barclay  of  Ury.  Two  of  his  best 
cows,  Molly  and  Clara  2d— both  by  The  Pacha- 
were  bought  at  the  Ury  sale  of  1847.  From  Molly 
came  the  family  of  Mysies.  The  cow  Vesta,  bred  by 
Robert  Smith  of  Burley,  became  the  ancestress  of  the 
Venuses  and  Princess  Royals,  both  of  which  have 
since  become  prime  favorites  with  the  admirers  of 
Scotch  Short-horns,  but  probably  the  best  cow 
obtained  in  England  was  Marion,  from  the  herd  of 
Mr.  Lovell,  selected  for  Mr.  Hay  by  one  of  the  lead- 
ing cattle  salesmen  of  London.  She  produced  the 
good  stock  bull  Kelly  2d  (9265),  besides  becoming 


538  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

the  fountain  head  of  a  fine  family  of  cows  known  as 
the  Lovelys,  afterward  celebrated  in  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Cruickshank,  producing  at  Sittyton  the  prize  bull 
Scotland's  Pride  (25100),  Lord  Lancaster  {26666) 
and  Lord  Lansdowme  (29128).  Another  tribute  to 
the  remarkable  breeding  qualities  of  Simpson's 
Young  Broadhooks  was  to  be  seen  at  Shethin  in  the 
shape  of  the  splendid  cow  Scotland's  Queen,  de- 
scended direct  from  the  dam  of  Buchan  Hero. 

For  a  number  of  years  home-bred  bulls  were  used, 
no  less  than  five  of  which  descended  in  a  direct  male 
line  from  the  bull  Billy  (8888)  of  the  Ury  atock, 
fresh  blood  being  brought  in  each  time  through  the 
dams.  Some  service  was  also  had  from  the  good 
bull  Robin  o'  Day  (4973)  of  Brawith  breeding.  Mr. 
Hay  had  brought  his  herd  to  a  rare  state  of  excel- 
lence by  1850.  There  was  no  better  in  all  Scotland. 
Li  that  year,  along  with  the  brothers  Cruickshank, 
he  attended  the  Bates  dispersion  where  he  pur- 
chased, besides  Waterloo  13th,  the  Duchess  bull 
Grand  Duke  (10284)  at  205  guineas,  the  highest- 
priced  lot  of  the  day.  It  is  related  that  before  the 
sale  began  the  Messrs.  Cruickshank  had  discussed 
with  Mr.  Hay  the  idea  of  a  joint  purchase  of  the  4th 
Duke  of  York,  which  Mr.  Amos  Cruickshank  thought 
much  the  best  bull  of  the  sale.  Earl  Ducie's  opening 
bid  of  200  guineas  for  that  bull,  however,  scattered 
all  opposition  at  the  start;  so  that  the  project  of 
taking  the  bull  to  Scotland  fell  through  w^ith  at  once. 
Grand  Duke  was  a  bull  with  rather  more  length,  both 


Scotland's  seaechixg  test.  539 

of  body  and  leg,  than  the  Scotch  breeders  desired, 
but  was  used  two  years  by  Mr.  Hay  as  an  experiment. 
It  was  thought  that  he  made  no  improvement  in  the 
herd,  and  he  was  sold  to  S.  E.  Bolden  of  England  at 
the  original  purchase  price.  In  Bolden 's  herd  he 
proved  more  successful  and  was  ultimately  sold  to 
America  at  $5,000.  The  Booth  bull  Red  Knight 
(11967),  from  Killerby,  was  next  in  line.  He  had 
been  first  as  a  two-year-old  at  the  English  Eoyal  of 
1852,  and  headed  the  aged  bulls  at  Aberdeen  in  1852. 
He  was  a  compact,  thick-set,  short-legged,  well- 
fleshed  bull,  and  in  1856  was  sent  to  the  Paris  Expo- 
sition. On  the  return  trip  he  contracted  foot-and- 
mouth  disease  and  was  slaughtered  in  London. 

Mr.  Hay's  death  occurred  in  1854  and  his  herd 
passed  into  the  possession  of  his  son-in-law,  Mr. 
Shepherd,  who,  in  1856,  bought  the  bull  Bosquet 
(14183),  of  Sir  Charles  Knightley's  breeding,  and  in 
1858  Cherry  Duke  2d  (14265)  from  Mr.  Bolden.  The 
latter  made  a  great  record  at  the  great  Northern 
shows  1859-1861,  but  was  not  specially  satisfactory 
as  a  sire.  In  fact,  it  has  usually  been  claimed  that 
the  Shethin  cattle  were  better  before  the  Bates, 
Booth  or  Knightley  bloods  were  introduced.  The 
herd  was  dispersed  in  1863,  at  which  time  it  aggre- 
gated 134  head,  including  sixteen  Mysies,  ten  Love- 
lys  and  nine  Waterloos,  besides  a  lot  of  Claras,  Eose- 
marys,  etc.  The  event  occurred  Wednesday,  July 
29,  Mr.  Strafford  presiding.  Messrs.  Cruickshank 
bought  the  eleven-year-old  red  Mysie  at  50  guineas. 


540  A  HISTORY  OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Mysie  26th  at  21  guineas,  Princess  Eoyal  5tli  at  46 
guineas  and  Lovely  8tli  at  41  guineas.  Mr.  Marr  of 
Uppermill  bought  Princess  Royal  6th  for  24  guineas. 
William  Duthie  bought  a  pair  of  Wanton  heifers  at 
17  and  20  guineas.  The  Duke  of  Richmond  made  a 
number  of  purchases  and  one  of  the  Waterloo s  was 
bought  by  Col.  Pennant  of  Penrhyn  Castle,  Wales, 
at  51  guineas.  The  highest  price  was  64  guineas, 
given  by  Mr.  Wilson  of  Brayton  for  the  heifer 
Waterloo  21st. 


"^  M 


^ 


AMOS  CRUICKSHAXK  OF  SITTYTON. 


CHAPTER  XIX 
AMOS  CRUICKSHANK  OF  SITTYTON 

To  Ketton,  Kirklevington,  Killerby  and  Aylesby 
we  have  now  to  add  the  name  of  Sittyton.  Mr. 
Bates,  the  elder  Booth  and  William  Torr  did  not 
survive  to  witness  the  crowning  show-yard  and  sale- 
ring  triumphs  of  their  favorites.  Amos  Cruick- 
shank,  ' '  the  herdsman  of  Aberdeenshire, '  ^  more  for- 
tunate in  that  respect  than  the  great  English  breed- 
builders,  lived  to  receive  recognition  both  at  home 
and  abroad  as  one  of  the  few  great  constructive 
breeders  of  Short-horn  history.  An  inspiring  story 
this  of  Sittyton.  Not  a  legend  of  Aladdin  and  his 
lamp,  but  a  plain,  unvarnished  tale  of  patient,  per- 
sistent, unfaltering  pursuit  of  an  idea  followed  over 
all  obstacles  to  the  goal  of  final  and  complete  success. 

Born  in  1808  and  reared  in  the  County  of  Aber- 
deen, entering  the  ranks  of  the  tenant-farmers  of  the 
district  at  the  period  of  greatest  activity  and  prog- 
ress in  the  development  of  the  modern  agriculture 
of  the  North ;  engaging  in  the  very  thick  of  the  fight 
for  leadership  in  the  work  of  evolving  a  type  of 
cattle  suited  to  the  exacting  requirements  of  his 
native  heath;  competing  with  a  class  of  farmers 
probably  unmatched  in  all  the  world  in  respect  to 
the  intelligence  and  skill  with  which  they  manage 
their  lands  and  live  stock;  leaving  all  beaten  tracks 

541 


542  A   HISTORY   OF    SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

and  marking  out  a  distinctive  policy  of  his  own; 
loyally  supported  in  his  task  by  his  enterprising 
brother-partner,  the  life  and  work  of  Amos  Cruick- 
shank  looms  up  above  all  contemporary  effort  in  the 
North  of  Scotland  even  as  Ben  Nevis  dominates  in 
majesty  the  mountain  wilderness  of  the  West. 

A  new  type  sought. — Amos  Cruickshank  was  a 
man  with  a  w^ell-defined  purpose.  Firm  as  a  rock  in 
his  convictions,  steadfast  to  the  end  in  maintaining 
his  views,  he  recognized  no  test  of  value  in  cattle 
save  that  of  demonstrated  ability  to  turn  straw,  tur- 
nips and  ''cake"  into  pounds,  shillings  and  pence  at 
a  profit.  Beauty  was  to  his  severely  practical  eye 
but  skin-deep  at  best.  Of  itself  it  paid  no  rent.  He 
never  allowed  himself,  therefore,  in  making  his  selec- 
tions of  breeding  stock  to  lose  his  heart  or  head  to 
any  beast,  be' it  ever  so  "bonny,"  if  it  had  only 
graceful  outlines  or  mere  "sweetness"  of  character 
to  recommend  it. 

The  Cruickshank  creed  demanded  first  of  all  "a 
good  middle."  The  signs  of  constitution  and  diges- 
tive capacity  in  cattle  present  their  most  visible 
manifestations  in  the  body  rather  than  in  the  ex- 
tremities. Vitality  and  feeding  quality  were  with 
Amos  Cruickshank  considerations  paramount.  A 
broad,  full  chest,  wide  back  and  deep  ribs  Vv^ere  his 
all-in-all.  The  head  had  attention  only  as  it  gave 
some  token  as  to  the  vigor  or  probable  capacity  of 
the  animal  for  feed-lot  or  reproductive  purposes. 
The  rump  carried  cheap  meat  and  was,  in  his  view. 


AMOS  CRUICKSHAyK  OF  SITTYTON  54S 

of  wholly  secondary  importance.  Level  quarters  and 
fine  fronts  he  fully  appreciated,  but  if  the  "middle" 
was  w^eak  the  fault  with  him  was  fatal.  While  not 
opposed  to  "finish,"  and  fully  sensible  of  the  value 
of  "style,"  he  took  the  ground  that,  from  the  ten- 
ant-farmer's viewpoint,  if  other  and  more  vital  qual- 
ifications were  wanting  the  Short-horn  could  not 
hope  to  withstand  the  ordeals  of  the  climate  of  North 
Scotland  or  satisfy  the  close  calculations  of  feeders 
who  wrested  their  forage  from  an  unwilling  soil. 

As  for  pedigree  he  had  originally  imbibed  some- 
thing of  the  same  contempt  felt  by  Eennie  of  Phan- 
tassie  and  Robertson  of  Ladykirk.  When  in  quest 
of  stock  to  suit  his  purpose  his  mind  was  an  open 
book  so  far  as  the  great  rival  strains  of  blood  were 
concerned.  The  names  of  Bates,  Booth,  Towneley, 
or  Torr  moved  him  to  no  expression  of  mere  senti- 
mental regard  for  the  stock  of  the  English  leaders. 
He  listened  with  comparative  indifference  to  the 
story  of  the  Duchesses  and  viewed  with  equanimity 
the  rising  reputation  of  Warlaby.  Cool  and  calcu- 
lating, deliberate  always,  never  carried  off  his  feet 
by  the  currents  of  fashion  that  whirled  round  about 
the  Short-horn  breeders  of  his  time,  it  was  with  him 
always  and  forever  a  question  only  of  "what  is  best 
for  our  country,  our  agriculture,  our  people?"  And 
so  he  started  out  on  the  indifferent  soil  of  Sittyton 
of  Straloch  to  rear  a  class  of  cattle  that  should  meet 
the  Scottish  want.  Untrammeled  by  prejudice,  un- 
moved by  the  gongs  and  cymbals  of  those  who  were 


544  A   HISTORY   OF    SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

attracting  the  attention  of  the  majority  of  his  con- 
temporaries, this  silent  man  of  destiny,  keeping  his 
own  counsel,  reserved  and  retiring  beyond  all  his  col- 
leagues; honest,  faithful,  upright  and  inflexible  in  his 
service  in  behalf  of  Northern  agriculture,  pursued 
the  even  tenor  of  his  way,  often  discouraged  but 
never  despairing,  seeking  in  every  nook  and  corner 
of  the  United  Kingdom  for  material  likely  to  aid  in 
developing  his  herd;  testing  first  one  blood  and  then 
another,  until  finally  a  blade  was  found  that  cut  the 
Gordian  knot  for  him  and  Scotland. 

While  the  Sittyton  herd  was  progressing  to  its 
apotheosis  it  had  the  service  of  a  succession  of  dis- 
tinguished sires  and  show  bulls.  It  has  been  said  that 
Mr.  Cruickshank  did  not  participate  in  the  ''wild 
hurrah'^  for  " fashionable ''  blood,  because  of  the 
proverbial  Scottish  prudence;  that  is  to  say  because 
he  was  not  enterprising  enough  to  relax  the  partner- 
ship purse  strings  for  the  purpose  of  securing  speci- 
mens of  the  prevailing  popular  sorts.  This  is  alto- 
gether lacking  in  truth.  For  years  the  breeding 
farms  and  National  show-yards  of  England,  Scotland 
and  Ireland  were  visited  in  quest  of  such  material  as 
approximated  the  Sittyton  ideal.  There  was  nothing 
niggardly  in  a  policy  that  dictated  the  payment  of 
$2,000  for  individual  bulls  and  nothing  narrow  in  the 
plans  that  finally  brought  the  herd  to  a  total  of  over 
300  head  of  registered  cattle — the  largest  in  all 
Britain. 

The  brothers  Cruickshank. — Amos  and  Anthony 


AMOS  CRUICKSHA>^K  OF  SiTTYTON  545 

Cruickshank,  who  were  jointly  interested  in  the 
breeding  operations  carried  on  at  Sittyton,  were 
born  and  reared  on  a  farm  near  the  little  village  of 
Inverurie,  some  fifteen  miles  northwest  of  the  Aber- 
donian  capital.  Amos,  retiring  by  nature  and  pre- 
ferring the  peace  and  quiet  of  rural  scenes  to  the 
bustle  of  shops  and  streets,  devoted  his  attention 
wholly  to  agricultural  pursuits.  Anthony  decided  to 
engage  in  trade  at  Aberdeen,  where  he  succeeded  in 
establishing  a  good  business  and  subsequently  ac- 
quired local  prominence  in  commercial  and  banking 
circles.  He  was  a  man  of  great  energy  and  public 
spirit,  and  while  the  credit  for  the  development  of 
the  Sittyton  Short-horns  must  be  rested  primarily 
upon  the  sound  judgment  and  practical  sense  of 
Amos,  still  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  it  was 
largely  through  the  determination  of  Anthony  that 
such  vigorous  and  persistent  efforts  were  made  for 
so  many  years  in  the  matter  of  foundation  stock.  It 
was  in  a  little  back  room  at  Anthony  Cruickshank 's 
place  of  business  in  the  city  of  Aberdeen  that  the 
idea  of  the  Eoyal  Northern  Show  was  first  con- 
ceived. Barclay  of  Ury,  Grant  Duff  and  other  kin- 
dred spirits  were  called  in  conference  and  the  result 
of  their  deliberations  was  the  establishment  of  that 
afterward  useful  agricultural  show  association.  The 
Sittyton  Short-horns  were  for  a  long  series  of  years 
exhibited  at  the  leading  Scottish  National  and  local 
shows,  winning  their  way  to  great  public  favor  and 
general  patronage. 


546  A  HISTORY  OF   SHOET-HORX   CATTLE 

Anthony  with  his  commercial  instincts  was 
anxious  to  secure  a  reputation  for  the  partnership 
herd.  He  favored  all  schemes  looking  toward  the 
bringing  of  the  Sittyton  Short-horns  prominently 
before  the  public.  He  served,  therefore,  as  an 
efficient ' '  promoter. ' '  Amos  soon  developed  a  genius 
for  practical  cattle-breeding.  Quick  to  detect  faults 
he  never  allowed  an  unsatisfactory  sire  to  remain 
long  in  the  herd  no  matter  at  what  cost  a  bull  might 
have  been  placed  in  service.  Philosophical  always 
he  remarked  after  having  lost  the  $2,000  purchase, 
Master  Butterfly  2d,  shortly  after  his  arrival  at  Sit- 
tyton: '^It  is  the  best  thing  that  could  have  hap- 
pened, for  he  would  only  have  done  mischief  in  the 
herd.  He  hasn't  died  a  day  too  soon.''  He  was  not 
the  man  to  ' '  enthuse ' '  over  any  beast,  no  matter  how 
great  its  reputation  or  its  cost,  unless  he  thought  he 
could  see  some  indications  that  it  would  prove  useful 
in  developing  the  type  of  cattle  sought.  The  broth- 
ers therefore  proved  each  useful  to  the  otlier.  To- 
gether they  gave  the  world  one  of  its  greatest  and 
most  valuable  herds.* 

Anthony  Cruick shank  died  in  1879  at  the  age  of 


*"The  two  brothers  made  an  excellent  combination,  but  in  some  ways 
were  very  unlike.  Anthonv  was  the  keener,  brighter,  more  intellectual 
spirit  of  the  two.  He  had  a  fine  rich  voice  and  dark  bright  eyes,  the 
sparkle  of  which  denoted  a  high  degree  of  intelligence.  Amos  was 
stouter  built,  of  a  quieter  and  more  phlegmatic  type.  The  one  was 
always  ready  to  converse  ;  the  other  was  of  the  silent  sort.  No  inter- 
viewer or  newspaper  correspondent  could  make  anything  of  Amos  ;  even 
the  genial  'Druid'  failed  to  draw  him.  Anthony  would  discuss  the 
merits  of  an  animal  in  detail,  be  it  Short-horn  or  Clydesdale,  and  give 
a  reason  for  the  faith  that  was  in  him  ;  but  it  required  almost  a  surgical 
operation  to  get  any  deliverance  on  the  subject  from  Amos.  'A  good 
beast'  or  'Not  a  good  beast'  was  about  all  you  might  expect.  Anthony 
attended  to  the  herd-book  entries,  the  advertising  and  cataloguing  of 
the  stock,  and,  I  believe,  named  all  the  animals,  but  the  practical  man- 


AMOS  CRUICKSHAXK   OF  SITTYTOX  547 

sixty-six  years.  Amos  lived  to  be  eighty-seven  years 
of  age,  passing  from  the  scene  of  his  long  and  useful 
life  at  Sittyton  May  27,  1895,  the  herd  having  been 
closed  out  at  private  sale  as  an  entirety  in  1889. 
Like  many  other  of  the  most  noted  Short-honi  breed- 
ers of  the  century  he  never  married.  He  was  wedded 
only  to  the  herd  that  received  for  such  an  extended 
period  his  most  earnest  thought  and  devoted  atten- 
tion.   A  devout  Quaker  he  carried  into  his  daily  life 


agement  of  the  farms  and  herd  devolved,  of  course,  on  his  brother.  In 
their  numerous  purchases  of  stock  Anthony  looked  much  to  show-yard 
reputation  and  pedigree,  Amos  almost  entirely  to  the  personal  appear- 
ance of  the  animal  itself,  and  he  had  his  own  notions  of  what  consti- 
tuted a  good  sort.  'I  had  often  great  battles,'  he  told  me,  'with  Anthony 
about  the  bulls  we  were  to  use.  A  vast  deal  of  money  was  spent  in 
the  purchase  of  animals  that  did  no  good  whatever.'  Amos  did  not 
bother  much  with  the  herd  book,  and  I  am  told  could  seldom  be  got  to 
look  at  it.  In  this  respect,  I  believe,  he  resembled  Richard  Booth,  Wil- 
kinson of  Lenton  and  many  other  noted  breeders.  His  brother's  object 
in  a  large  measure  was  to  make  the  undertaking  a  commercial  success. 
He  studied  what  would  attract  and  please  his  customers.  Amos,  on  the 
other  hand,  had  the  eye  of  a  breeder  and  strove  to  get  his  animals  of 
the  type  that  pleased  himself.  He  seemed  to  have  an  intuitive  knowl- 
edge of  what  constituted  a  good  beast  and  the  development  of  that 
which  is  known  as  the  Cruickshank  type  of  Short-horn  I  believe  to  have 
been  almost  entirely  due  to  Amos. 

"His  success  as  a  breeder  was  no  doubt  due  to  the  patient,  persever- 
ing nature  of  the  man,  his  innate  turn  for  the  pursuit,  and  also,  per- 
haps, in  some  degree  to  the  fact  that  he  was  totally  devoid  of  any  senti- 
mental notions  about  'blood'  and  pedigree.  He  looked  at  the  animal 
squarely  as  it  stood  before  him  ;  if  it  did  not  come  up  to  his  standard  it 
mattered  not  what  the  pedigree  was  or  who  the  breeder.  I  remember 
visiting  him  on  one  occasion  shortly  after  the  arrival  of  some  cows 
from  a  distant  herd,  which  had  been  taken  in  exchange  for  an  equal 
number  from  Sittyton.  They  had  splendid  pedigrees  of  gi^eat  length, 
with  Roan  Duchesses  and  I  know  not  what,  all  running  back  to  Fred- 
erick, Belvedere  and  many  a  far-famed  sire,  but  they  lacked  the  sub- 
stance, flesh  and  hair  which  Amos  loved.  As  he  pointed  them  out  he 
could  not  conceal  his  dissatisfaction.  Not  one  of  them  would  please 
him.  I  ventured  to  remark  that  some  of  them  looked  to  be  milkv,  'They 
may  have  some  milk,'  said  he,  gloomily,  'but  that  is  about  the  only 
good  thing  about  them.'  Long  experience  and  observation  had  made 
him  a  very  thorough  judge.  For  half  a  century  he  had  watched  over 
a  herd  of  Short-horns  which  for  many  years  was  the  largest  in  the 
kingdom,  and  which  sent  out  animals  that  have  made  the  fortunes  of 
many  other  herds,  not  only  in  this  country  but  in  other  lands.  He  en- 
joyed a  long,  healthy  life,  due  partly  to  his  good  constitution  and  also 
to  his  regular,  temperate  habits.  Notwithstanding  his  great  age  his 
mind  remained  wonderfully  clear  to  the  very  last.  He  was  a  tvpe  of 
character  rarely  met  with  nowadays  ;  so  free  from  all  vanity,  affecta- 
tion and  humbug,  so  unpretending,  simple  and  true.  As  some  one  well 
said,  'There  was  only  one  Amos  Cruickshank  and  he  is  gone.'  " — T.  F. 
Jamieson  in  London  (Eng.)  Livestock  Journal. 


548  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-IIORX   CATTLE 

the  simple,  upright,  kindly  teachings  of  his  faith.  It 
is  indeed  not  recorded  that  he  ever  spoke  ill  of  any 
man.  Given  little  to  speech  it  was  with  difficulty 
that  even  his  best  friends  could  draw  him  out.  The 
house  in  which  he  lived  and  died  at  Sittyton  was  a 
modest  one,  as  befitted  the  character  of  its  tenant. 
He  was  very  fond  of  his  shrubbery,  vines  and  flow- 
ers, and  here,  far  removed  from  "the  madding 
crowd,"  he  worked  out  in  his  own  original  way  the 
great  problem  that  confronted  the  cattle-growers  of 
his  time  in  the  North  of  Scotland. 

The  farm  of  Sittyton. — The  farm  upon  which  the 
Messrs.  Cruickshank  began  their  breeding  operations 
is  situated  about  twelve  miles  northwest  of  the  gran- 
ite city  of  Aberdeen.  From  the  roadway  leading 
to  this,  the  foremost  nursery  of  Scotch-bred  Short- 
horns, one  may  catch  upon  the  east  glimpses  of  the 
German  Ocean  and  toward  the  west,  when  the  air  is 
clear,  the  outlines  of  the  distant  Grampians.  It  con- 
sists of  about  two  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  consti- 
tuting a  part  of  the  estate  known  as  Straloch.  It 
has  no  natural  advantages  adapting  i't  to  successful 
cattle-breeding  from  the  standpoint  of  those  accus- 
tomed to  the  fertile  and  well-sheltered  farms  abound- 
ing everywhere  in  England  and  America.  When 
Amos  Cruickshank  took  possession  in  1837,  at  the 
age  of  twenty-nine  years,  the  land  was  in  poor  con- 
dition and  stood  greatly  in  need  of  buildings,  as  well 
as  drainage,  but  he  went  to  work  with  a  will;  the 
necessary  improvements  were  provided  and  an  im- 


AMOS  CRUICKSHAXK  OF  SITTYTOK  549 

mediate  start  was  made  with  Short-horns.  Some  ten 
years  later  the  herd  had  increased  to  proportions 
that  made  it  necessary  to  take  a  lease  of  the  neigh- 
boring farm  of  Clyne,  rendering  about  five  hundred 
acres  of  land  available.  This  sufficed  for  a  time,  but 
the  breeding  operations  were  carried  forward  on 
such  an  extensive  scale  that  it  was  found  desirable 
to  increase  the  holding  still  further  by  leasing 
another  adjacent  tract  of  about  one  hundred  and 
thirty  acres,  known  as  Longside.  Still  their  ambi- 
tion was  unsatisfied,  and  in  1855  the  brothers 
obtained  control  of  the  fine  farm  known  as  Mains  of 
Udny,  some  five  miles  distant,  bringing  the  total 
area  under  their  control  up  to  900  acres.  The  herd 
attained  a  membership  of  more  than  three  hundred 
head  during  the  period  of  its  greatest  expansion, 
say  between  the  years  of  1860  and  1870,  and  a  lease 
of  the  small  tract  known  locally  as  Middleton  gave 
them  possession  of  fully  1,000  acres.  About  1873 
the  lease  of  Longside  terminated  and  a  few  years 
later  that  of  Mains  of  Udny,  necessitating  a  large 
reduction  of  the  herd.  In  the  latter  years  of  Mr. 
Cruickshank's  life  he  was  tenant  of  about  600  acres, 
the  herd  numbering  at  the  time  the  last  complete 
catalogue"  was  issued  120  head. 

General  plan  pursued.  —  Briefly  stated,  the 
methods  of  the  Messrs.  Cruickshank  did  not  differ 
materially  from  those  of  the  elder  Booth.  Bates  pro- 
ceeded on  the  theory  that  a  combination  of  certain 
bloods  must  necessarily  produce  the  type  he  sought. 


550  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOKX   CATTLE 

Thomas  Booth  and  Amos  Cruickshank  worked  for 
type  alone,  utilizing  at  first  any  good  material  at- 
tracting their  attention  and  finally  "fixing"  the  de- 
sired conformation  by  resort  to  in-and-in  breeding. 
In  the  purchase  of  the  foundation  cows  and  heifers 
for  Sittyton  choice  was  usually  made  of  those  that 
seemed  to  possess  good  constitutions  and  an  aptitude 
to  fatten.  If  milking  qualities  were  shown  that  point 
was  also  prized  at  its  full  value.  Cattle  were  drawn 
from  widely  separated  sources,  and  while  Mr. 
Cruickshank  endeavored  to  adhere  to  one  general 
ideal  as  closely  as  possible,  he  was  unable  to  collect 
a  cow  herd  which  in  point  of  uniform  excellence 
would  satisfy  his  aspirations.  Eealizing  that  the 
bull  was  the  key  to  the  situation,  greater  attention 
was  bestowed  upon  the  selection  of  sires  than  upon 
choice  of  females.  Beginning  with  bulls  bought 
from  Capt.  Barclay,  no  stone  was  left  unturned  for 
a  quarter  of  a  century  to  obtain  for  service  at  Sitty- 
ton stock  bulls  of  the  very  highest  order  of  merit. 
In  the  course  of  that  time  nearly  every  leading  herd 
and  every  important  show-^^ard  in  the  Kingdom  was 
visited  in  quest  of  sires  of  the  desired  type.  In  this 
search  no  attempt  was  made  at  confining  selections 
to  any  particular  line  of  blood.  It  was  a  question 
not  -of  descent  but  of  type. 

It  was  not  until  after  1860  that  the  policy  of 
purchasing  bulls  for  service  was  modified.  Up  to 
that  time,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  a  remark- 
able succession  of  noted  bulls  had  seen  service  in 


AMOS  CRUICKSHAXK  OF  SITTYTON  551 

the  herd,*  that  uniformity  in  essential  characteris- 
tics which  Mr.  Cruickshank  so  earnestly  desired  had 
not  been  attained.  When,'  therefore,  the  get  of  the 
home-bred  bull  Champion  of  England  (17526)  made 
their  appearance  the  whole  policy  was  changed  and 
a  system  of  inbreeding  begun.  His  stock  approached 
closely  the  Sittyton  idea  of  what  a  North  of  Scotland 
Short-horn  ought  to  be,  and  for  generations  after- 
ward the  best  of  his  sons,  grandsons  and  great- 
grandsons  were  kept  in  service.  From  that  time 
forward  improvement  in  the  matter  of  uniformity 
was  rapid.  Latterly  the  stock  bulls  were  all  bred 
upon  the  farm;  the  size  of  the  herd  and  the  great 
variety  of  blood  represented  in  it  enabling  Mr. 
Cruickshank  to  carry  on  his  process  of  concentration 
for  many  years  with  little  danger  of  deterioration. 

To  undertake  an  enumeration  of  all  the  various 
purchases  made  for  the  herd  would  be  a  useless  task. 
Sittyton  was  represented  for  a  long  series  of  years 
at  every  auction  sale  of  any  consequence  in  Great 
Britain,  and  many  animals  from  many  different 
herds  and  of  various  lines  of  breeding  were  bought. 
Some  of  these  gave  satisfaction  and  some  did  not. 


*McCombie  in  his  interesting  little  volume  on  "Cattle  and  Cattle- 
Breeders"  says :  "Foremost  among  eminent  breeders  of  Short-horns  in 
the  North  at  the  present  time  are  the  Messrs.  Cruickshank,  Sittyton. 
Their  fame  is  European  ;  they  own  the  largest  herds  of  Short-horns  in 
the  world.  It  is  only  necessary  to  name  Fairfax  Royal,  Prince  Edward 
Fairfax,  Velvet  Jacket,  Matadore,  Lord  Sackville,  The  Baron  by  Baron 
Warlaby,  Master  Butterfly  2d,  John  Bull,  Lancaster,  Comet,  Lord  Rag- 
lan, Tvanhoe,  Lord  Garlies,  Malachite,  Windsor  Augustus,  Sir  James 
the  Rose  and  last,  though  not  least.  Forth,  to  show  the  distinguished 
position  their  herd  has  taken.  Sufllce  it  to  say  that  no  other  breeder 
of  Short-horns  can  claim  having  owned  such  an  array  of  first-class 
bulls." 


552  A   HISTOEY   OF   SHOET-HOEX    CATTLE 

We  need  allude  liere  only  to  such  as  left  some  im- 
press on  the  herd. 

The  first  of  the  Violets.^It  was  in  1837  that  Amos 
Cruickshank  laid  the  foundation  for  the  Sittyton 
Herd.  In  that  year  he  made  a  pilgrimage  to  the 
South  in  quest  of  Short-horns,  proceeding  as  far  as 
the  County  of  Durham,  England.  With  character- 
istic caution  he  returned  to  the  North  with  but  a 
solitary  heifer  as  the  fruit  of  his  travels.  The  fol- 
lowing year  he  again  visited  England  and  secured 
about  a  dozen  heifers.  These  are  said  'to  have  been 
bought  from  a  Mr.  George  Williamson  of  North  Lin- 
colnshire, and  one  of  them,  Moss  Rose,  became  the 
maternal  ancestress  of  a  family  afterward  famous 
at  Sittyton  as  the  Violets.  In  1843  Moss  Eose  pro- 
duced to  a  service  by  the  Ury  bull  Inkhorn  a  dark- 
roan  heifer  that  was  named  Eed  Rose,  that  became 
the  dam  of  the  beautiful  cow  Carmine  Rose,  by  Fair- 
fax Royal,  which,  bred  to  the  bull  Hudson  (9228), 
dropped  China  Rose,  whence  came  Roseate,  by  Mata- 
dore,  the  dam  of  the  great  roan  Violet,  by  Lord 
Bathhurst  (13173).  Violet  proved  an  extraordinary 
breeder  and  her  name  was  given  to  the  females  trac- 
ing descent  in  their  maternal  line  from  her.  She 
was  the  dam  of  the  grand  cow  Village  Rose,  by 
Champion  of  England;  the  prize-winning  Sweet  Vio- 
let, by  Lord  Stanley,  and  Red  Violet,  by  Allan,  and 
of  the  roan  stock  bull  Grand  Monarque  (21867),  by 
Champion  of  England. 

Venus  tribe. — This  sort  at  Sittyton  was  originally 


AMOS  CRUICKSHAXK  OF  SITTYTON  553 

derived  from  a  red  heifer  bought  at  a  sale  held  by 
Mr.  Rennie  of  Kinblethmont,  Forfarshire,  who  was 
said  to  have  been  a  brother  of  Rennie  of  Phantassie. 
This  was  in  1841.  Venus  was  out  of  a  cow  called 
Dairymaid,  bred  from  the  stock  of  Robertson  of 
Ladykirk.  It  is  stated  that  the  immediate  descend- 
ants of  Venus  were  ''real  good  milkers,  but  rather 
rough  and  bare  of  flesh.''  Later  on,  however,  they 
acquired  the  valuable  general  characteristics  of  the 
best  Sittyton  stock,  those  descending  through  Flora, 
by  Fairfax  Royal,  and  her  granddaughter.  Morning 
Star  by  Champion  of  England,  being  perhaps  the 
most  highly  prized.  The  bull  Beeswing  (12456), 
sold  to  Campbell  of  Kinellar,  was  a  son  of  Flora. 
The  Venus  family  was  retained  until  the  final  disper- 
sion of  the  herd. 

The  family  of  Mimulus. — A  good  Short-horn  cow 
was  bought  in  1841  from  the  Rev.  Robert  Douglas 
of  the  parish  of  Ellon,  not  far  from  Sittyton.  The 
minister  was  engaged  in  farming  and  had  the  repu- 
tation of  being  a  first-class  judge.  The  cow  in  ques- 
tion had  been  bred  by  John  Rennie  of  Phantassie 
from  a  Ladykirk  foundation.  At  Sittyton  she  was 
bred  to  Inkhorn  and  produced  the  heifer  Phantassie, 
which  in  turn  left  the  heifer  Maidstone,  by  Mata- 
dore.  The  latter  to  a  service  by  Lord  Raglan  pro- 
duced Mistletoe,  that  was  the  dam  of  the  extraordi- 
nary red  cow  Mimulus,  by  Champion  of  England. 
This  cow  was  sold  to  Hon.  John  Dryden  of  Canada, 
after  having  produced  at  Sittyton  the  bull  calf  that 


554  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HOEN    CATTLE 

subsequently  developed  into  the  great  bull  Eoyal 
Duke  of  Gloster  (29864),  the  sire  of  such  bulls  as 
Eoan  Gauntlet  (35284),  Barmpton  (37763),  Grand 
Vizier  (34086)  and  Privy  Seal  (50168);  and  such 
cows  as  Custard,  the  dam  of  Cumberland,  Souvenir, 
Silvia,  Lavender  17th,  Garnish  and  Violet  Queen. 
In  Canada  Mimulus  became  the  dam  of  the  famous 
bull  Barmpton  Hero  that  did  splendid  service  up  to 
the  age  of  fifteen  years,  contributing  many  thick- 
fleshed,  compactly-fashioned  cattle  of  the  real  Aber- 
deenshire type  to  various  American  breeding  and 
show-yard  herds.  The  family  of  Mimulus  was  never 
numerous  at  Sittyton  and  exerted  its  influence  upon 
the  herd  mainly  through  Eoyal  Duke  of  Gloster. 

Picotee  and  her  progeny. — In  1841  a  cow  called 
Sunflower,  descended  from  Phantassie  and  Lady- 
kirk  blood,  was  bought  from  James  Walker.  She 
produced  two  heifers,  one  of  which,  Picotee,  gave 
rise  to  a  numerous  and  valuable  family.  Indeed 
Picotee  herself  at  ten  years  of  age  was  one  of  the 
first-prize  pair  of  cows  at  Aberdeen  in  1855.  From 
her  descended  Joyful  2d,  a  first-prize  heifer  at  the 
Eoyal  Northern  of  1862 ;  the  handsome  red  cow  Flor- 
ence Nightingale,  by  The  Baron;  the  great  roan 
Village  Belle  and  the  red  British  Queen,  both  by 
Champion  of  England. 

The  Matchless  sort. — A  heifer  called  Premium, 
sired  by  George  (2057)  and  in  calf  to  the  Bates-bred 
Holker  (4051),  was  bought  from  Grant  Duff  in  1841. 
To  the  Holker  service    she    produced    the    heifer 


AMOS  CRUICKSHAXK  OF  SITTYTON  555 

Matchless,  considered  one  of  the  best  of  her  day  in 
the  herd  and  winner  of  first  prize  at  a  Highland 
Show  at  Dundee.  She  proved  the  first  of  a  noted 
race  of  cows  bearing  her  name,  besides  contributing 
through  her  daughter  Kindly  a  family  of  "K,''  of 
which  Kindness  and  Kindred  were  early  representa- 
tives. This  tribe  was  closed  out  in  the  reduction  of 
the  herd  in  1876. 

The  Broadhooks.— Eliza,  by  White  Bull  (5643),  a 
heifer  that  was  an  own  sister  to  the  celebrated  Bu- 
chan  Hero  (3238),  was  bought  from  Hutcheson  of 
Monyruy,  and  produced  several  good  bulls  besides 
founding  an  excellent  family  of  cows  known  as  the 
Broadhooks  that  disappeared  from  the  herd  about 
1870.  Eliza  went  back  to  the  old  Ladykirk  stock. 
This  Broadhooks  tribe  was  the  same  as  that  con- 
tained in  the  herd  of  Lord  Lovat  at  Beaufort,  that 
produced  the  champion  bull  New  Year's  Gift 
(57796). 

Origin  of  the  Lady  tribe, — Always  on  the  lookout 
for  a  good  one,  Mr.  Cruickshank  saw  and  admired 
at  the  Edinburgh  Show  of  1842  the  two-year-old 
heifer  Amelia,  that  had  succeeded  in  getting  into 
the  prize-list  not  only  at  Edinburgh  but  at  Berwick. 
From  Amelia  came  one  of  the  best  of  the  earlier 
Cruickshank  tribes,  known  as  the  ^^Ladys.''  Writ- 
ing of  these  a  correspondent  of  the  Banffshire 
Journal  in  1864  said:  ''The  most  remarkable  de- 
scendant of  Amelia  is  Grand  Lady,  out  of  Lady 
Louisa  and  sired  by  Lord  Sackville  (13249).   Grand 


556  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HOEN   CATTLE 

Lady  is  worthy  of  her  name.  She  is  a  beautiful  roan 
and  the  very  perfection  of  symmetry." 

The  Nonpareils. — A  good  red  cow,  called  Nonpa- 
reil 3d,  came  into  the  herd' in  1844  from  the  stock 
of  Mr.  Cartwright  of  Lincolnshire.  She  proved  a 
fortunate  investment  and  gave  rise  to  the  Sittyton 
Xonpareils  that  acquired  much  celebrity  throughout 
the  Northern  Counties.  Several  of  the  family  were 
disposed  of  at  from  100  to  200  guineas  each.  Non- 
pareil 16th  of  this  line  was  a  first-prize  heifer  at 
Aberdeen  in  1855.  The  demand  for  females  of  this 
sort  was  extensive.  Many  were  parted  with  and 
some  of  the  Nonpareils  proved  persistent  bull  breed- 
ers; hence  it  came  about  that  much  to  the  regret  of 
the  Messrs.  Cruickshank  the  original  line  disap- 
peared from  the  herd  about  the  year  1864.  A  few 
years  later  the  cow  Nonpareil  12th  was  bought 
at  Mr.  Cartwright 's  dispersion  sale,  but  as  a 
breeder  she  did  not  prove  as  successful  as  the  first 
purchase. 

Sittyton  Butterflys. — Upon  the  occasion  of  the  dis- 
persion of  Capt.  Barclay's  herd  at  Ury  in  1847 
Messrs.  Cruickshank  improved  the  opportunity  for 
making  additions  to  their  stock.  The  first  bulls 
used  at  Sittyton  were  of  Ury  extraction,  and  a  num- 
ber of  females  of  Barclay  breeding  were  now  se- 
cured. Among  these  were  Clara,  by  Mahomed,  and 
Strawberry,  by  2d  Duke  of  Northumberland.  Al- 
though it  is  stated  that  Strawberry  was  not  so  good 
an  individual  as  Clara  she  produced  at  Sittyton  the 


AMOS  CRUICKSHAXK  OF  SITTYTON  557 

famous  bull  Pro  Bono  Publico,  that  was  sold  to 
Lord  Clancarty  and  after  a  noted  career  as  a  prize- 
taker  in  Ireland  was  shown  with  success  at  the 
Paris  Exposition  of  1856.  Strawberry's  daughter 
Bounty,  by  The  Pacha,  dropped  the  splendid  cow 
Buttercup,  by  Report  (10704),  and  she  in  turn  pro- 
duced the  stock  bull  Baronet  (16614).  From  her 
also  was  derived  a  great  set  of  cows  known  as  the 
Butterflys,  that  proved  prolific  breeders  of  the  right 
sort  of  stock.  Indeed  Buttercup  was  called  one  of 
the  very  finest  cows  ever  seen  at  Sittyton.  She  was 
a  red,  with  an  exceptionally  strong  back  and  rib, 
and  all  of  her  immediate  descendants  were  similarly 
distinguished.  Butterfly  1st  carried  the  Highland 
Society's  first  prize  in  1856,  and  Butterfly  4tli  was 
first  at  the  Royal  Northern  in  1862.  The  original 
Butterfly,  by  Matadore,  was  described  as  "a  deep- 
ribbed  rather  high-standing  red  cow."  She  proved 
long-lived  and  produced  many  calves,  among  others 
two  bulls  that  saw  some  service  in  the  herd,  to-wit. 
Lord  Byron  (24363)  and  Royal  Forth  (25022).  But- 
terfly 9tli  of  this  family  produced  the  red  bull  Bread- 
albane  (28073),  by  Champion  of  England,  that  was 
used  for  a  time  by  Mr.  Cruickshank  and  imported 
into  Canada  in  1871  by  H.  Thompson. 

The  Ury  cow  Clara,  above  mentioned,  became  the 
dam  of  the  heifer  Barcliana  that  produced  the  noted 
roan  stock  bull  Lord  Sackville  (13249).  Another 
one  of  the  Barclay  cows,  Emily,  left  a  number  of 
descendants  at  Sittyton,  one  of  which,  Lucy,  by  The 


558  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Baron,  produced  the  bull  Lord  Chamberlain  used  in 
the  herd  in  1864,  and  also  the  bull  Lord  Lyons, 
bought  by  Mr.  Marr  of  Uppermill  at  the  sale  of  that 
year  for  76  guineas. 

Orange  Blossoms. — This  tribe,  which  has  to  its 
credit  the  highest-priced  Cruickshank  cow  ever  sold 
in  America;  to-wit,  Orange  Blossom  18th  at  $3,500, 
descends  from  the  roan  cow  Fancy,  by  Billy  (3151), 
obtained  in  1847  from  Hutcheson  of  Monyruy. 
Fancy's  dam,  Jessie,  had  been  purchased  by  Hutche- 
son from  Rennie  of  Kinblethmont,  going  back  to  the 
old  Ladj^kirk  foundation.  Fancy  did  so  well  at 
Sittyton  that  her  daughter,  Edith  Fairfax,  was  also 
bought  from  Hutcheson  in  1851.  She  was  one  of 
the  two  calves  sired  by  the  noted  Sir  Thomas  Fair- 
fax (5196),  that  died  at  Hutcheson 's.  From  Edith 
Fairfax  some  splendid  Short-horns  were  bred  at 
Sittyton,  among  others  Queen  of  Scotland,  by  Mata- 
dore,  whose  daughter.  Queen  of  the  South,  was  one 
of  the  greatest  cows  of  her  day  in  all  Scotland.  She 
was  a  roan  of  splendid  flesh  and  substance,  and  as  a 
yearling  won  first  prize  at  the  Royal  Northern  of 
1862,  besides  the  Formartine  Society's  medal  as  the 
best  animal  in  the  yard.  From  Queen  of  Scotland 
was  also  bred  the  original  Orange  Blossom,  by  Doc- 
tor Buckingham  (14405),  one  of  whose  daughters, 
Orange  Blossom  2d,  became  one  of  the  acknowledged 
queens  of  the  herd.  From  this  family  also  came  the 
roan  Delight,  dam  of  the  bull  Diphthong,  first-prize 
winner  at  Aberdeen  in  1862  and  1863  and  challenge- 


AMOS  CEUICKSHAXK  OF  SITTYTON  559 

cup  winner  at  the  Royal  Northern.  From  this  sort, 
also,  sprang  one  of  the  greatest  of  all  the  latter-day 
Scottish  sires,  William  of  Orange,  so  celebrated  in 
the  herd  of  Mr.  Marr  of  Uppermill. 

AdmaJi,  Kilmeny  3d,  and  Eliza  by  Brutus.— Cows 
introduced  into  the  herd  in  the  early  "fifties"  that 
had  descendants  upon  the  fami  for  many  years  were 
Admah,  by  Fitz  Adolphus  Fairfax;  Kilmeny  3d,  by 
Robin  o'  Day,  and  Eliza,  by  Brutus.  The  first- 
named  came  from  Hutcheson  and  was  out  of  a  cow 
by  Richard  Booth's  Fitz  Leonard  that  had  been  on 
hire  two  seasons  at  Monyruy.  Her  grandam  had 
been  bought  from  Rennie  of  Kinblethmont.  From 
Admah  came  Aroma,  by  Matadore,  whose  daughter 
Oakleaf,  by  The  Baron,  produced  the  bull  Royal  Oak 
(22792),  by  Champion  of  England,  that  saw  some 
service  at  Sittyton.  Kilmeny  3d  came  from  Grant 
Duff's,  and  her  descendants  were  maintained  in  the 
herd  for  some  years.  Eliza,  by  Brutus,  a  red  cow 
bought  from  Mr.  Cochrane  of  Glasgow  Forest,  ac- 
quired distinction  as  the  dam  of  Emily,  by  Lord 
Sackville,  that  produced  the  stock  bull  Caesar  Au- 
gustus (25704).  Eliza  was  descended  from  the  stock 
of  Ben  Wilson  of  Brawith. 

Clipper  tribe. — By  the  year  1852  the  number  of 
females  at  Sittyton  exceeded  100  head,  but  still  the 
quest  for  good  material  went  on.  During  that  year 
there  was  bought  from  Mr.  Boswell  of  Kingcausie, 
near  Aberdeen,  two  cows  that  exerted,  perhaps,  a 
greater  influence  upon  the  fortunes  of  the  herd  than 


560  A  HISTORY  OF   SHORT-HOEX   CATTLE 

any  other.  These  were  Verdant  and  Clipper.  The 
first  named  became  the  grandam  of  the  celebrated 
Champion  of  England  and  will  be  referred  to  further 
on  in  connection  with  the  appearance  of  that  epoch- 
making  sire. 

Clipper,  by  the  Barclay  bull  Billy  (3151),  was  a 
light-roan  cow,  not  very  large,  "slightly  hollow  in 
the  back,  but  very  fleshy  and  of  great  substance. '' 
She  was  seven  years  old  when  she  came  to  Sittyton, 
and  was  descended  from  a  sort  that  had  been  in  Mr. 
BoswelPs  hands  for  several  generations,  tracing  her 
maternal  descent  from  the  Chilton  herd  of  Mr.  Ma- 
son. It  is  worthy  of  note  that  she  continued  to  breed 
until  fifteen  years  of  age  and  produced  her  best 
heifer,  Cressida,  by  John  Bull  (11618),  in  her  four- 
teenth year.  To  the  cover  of  The  Czar  (20947)  Cres- 
sida produced  the  good  red-and-white  cow  Carmine, 
whose  daughters  by  Champion  of  England — Princess 
Eoyal  and  Carmine  Bose — proved  mines  of  bovine 
wealth.  Indeed  this  pair  did -much  toward  convin- 
cing Mr.  Cruickshank  that  in  Champion  of  England 
he  had  found  the  sire  he  long  had  sought.  Jamieson 
of  Ellon  tells  us  that  in  her  day  Carmine  Bose  was 
considered  the  best  combination  of  beef  and  milk  in 
the  entire  herd;  that  "her  bag  would  have  excited 
the  cupidity  of  a  London  dairyman,"  and  of  the 
same  extraordinary  pattern  was  her  daughter  Cochi- 
neal, which,  bred  to  Princess  BoyaPs  great  son  Boan 
Gauntlet  (35284),  produced  the  massive  Cayhurst 
(47560),  used  by  Mr.  Duthie,  sold  to  Mr.  Jamieson, 


AMOS  CRUICKSHAXK   OF  SITTYTOX  561 

and  eventually  passing  to  Mr.  Sutton-Nelthorpe  of 
Lincolnsliire. 

Princess  Eoyal  is  said  to  have  been  a  grand,  big 
roan,  but  not  so  great  a  dairy  cow  as  her  sister  Car- 
mine Eose.  As  a  breeder  her  influence  in  the  herd 
was  felt  for  generations.  She  became  the  dam  of  the 
four  fine  cows  Custard,  Claret,  Crocus  and  Chrysan- 
themum, besides  giving  birth  to  the  renowned  Eoan 
Gauntlet,  one  of  the  most  famous  of  all  Sittyton 
sires.  Custard  was  a  heifer  of  rare  beauty  from 
the  beginning,  neat,  but  not  large,  and  produced  the 
two  bulls  Cumberland  (46144)  and  Commodore 
(54118).  She  was  specially  strong  in  her  hind  quar- 
ters, a  characteristic  that  was  inherited  by  Cumber- 
land, a  bull  that  was  extensively  used  by  Mr.  Cruick- 
shank  in  his  later  years.  Commodore  grew  into  a 
bull  that  was  the  admiration  of  his  time,  but  unfor- 
tunately after  having  been  used  for  a  short  period 
of  great  success  he  died  at  sea  en  route  for  South 
America. 

Claret  carried  the  size  and  substance  of  her 
mother,  but  produced  only  two  calves,  one  of  which 
was  the  fine  sire  Clear-the-Way  (47604),  used  at 
Cairnbrogie  and  by  Bruce  of  Inverquhomery.  The 
table-backed  white  Chrysanthemum,  that  became 
the  property  of  Mr.  William  Duthie  of  Collynie  on 
the  final  sale  of  the  herd,  was  the  dam  of  the  massive 
bull  Chamberlain  (60461),  that  passed  into  the  pos- 
session of  Mr.  Philo  L.  Mills  of  Eudington  Hall.  All 
in  all  it  is  doubtful  if  Sittyton    ever   produced    a 


562  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

greater  breeding  cow  than  Princess  lioyal.  From 
this  same  Clipper  foundation  came  Mr.  Duthie's 
prize  bull  Pride  of  Morning  (64546). 

The  Victorias.— The  first  of  this  Mason-bred  tribe 
to  enter  the  Cruickshank  herd  was  Victoria  19th,  by 
Lord  John  (11731),  that  was  bid  off  by  Anthony 
Cruickshank  at  the  sale  of  Mr.  Holmes  of  West- 
meath,  Ireland.  Although  full  of  the  best  English 
blood  she  lacked  the  substance  which  Mr.  Amos 
Cruickshank  had  invariably  insisted  upon.  On  her 
arrival  in  Scotland  she  was  sent  to  Mr.  Hay's  at 
Shethin  to  be  bulled  by  the  Booth-bred  Red  Knight 
(11976),  and  to  this  service  produced  the  twin  heif- 
ers Victoria  29tli  and  30th.  It  is  said  that  the 
former  "had  weak  loins  and  was  not  good;  the  latter 
much  better,  but  left  no  female  stock."  The  dam 
was  called  delicate  and  the  sort  showed  no  special 
merit  at  Sittyton  until  crossed  with  Champion  of 
England.  That  great  sire  seemed  to  bring  them  out. 
Victoria  39th,  by  that  bull,  was  a  good  one  and  bred 
on  to  old  age.  Her  heifer  Victoria  41st,  by  Lord 
Privy  Seal,  was  of  the  right  stamp  and  a  good 
breeder,  producing  the  thick  Victoria  57tli  and  the 
good  stock  bull  Ventriloquist  (44180).  The  family 
improved  with  age  under  Mr.  Cruickshank 's  skillful 
crossing,  and  Victoria  48th,  by  Lord  Lancaster,  a 
cow  of  marked  merit,  produced  Royal  Victor 
(43792),  that  became  the  sire  of  Gravesend  (46461). 
Of  this  tribe  also  was  the  bull  Vermont  (47193),  that 
did  good  service  in  the  herd  of  Mr.  Campbell  of 


AMOS  CRUICKSHAXK  OF  SITTYTON  563 

Kinellar,  and  Deaiie  Willis-  500-guinea  prize  bull 
Count  Victor  (66877).* 

The  Sittyton  Victorias  imported  to  America  have 
proved  among  the  most  valuable  Scotch-bred  Short- 
horns that  ever  crossed  the  Atlantic.  The  first  to 
come  out  was  the  roan  Victoria  51st,  by  Eoyal  Duke 
of  Gloster  (29864),  imported  by  Mr.  Davis  Lowman 
of  Toulon,  111.,  in  1876.  From  this  cow  some  of  the 
very  best  Cruickshank  cattle  ever  seen  in  Western 
show-yards  and  breeding  herds  have  descended. 
Probably  the  greatest  success,  however,  ever  scored 
by  the  tribe  in  North  America  was  through  the  ex- 
traordinary record  of  imp.  Baron  Victor  (45944),  a 
son  of  Victoria  58th,  as  a  bull-getter  in  the  fine  herd 
of  Col.  W.  A.  Harris,  Linwood,  Kan. 

The  Lancasters. — Three  capital  cows  were  bought 
at  the  sale  from  the  fine  old  herd  of  Wilkinson  of 
Lenton  in  1854 — Lancaster  16th,  Pomp  and  Eoman 
9th.  Lancaster  16th  produced  the  good  bull  Lord 
Bathurst  (13173),  that  was  sold  from  the  herd  be- 
fore his  value  was  realized.  She  was  one  of  the 
first-prize  pair  of  cows  at  the  Eoyal  Northern  of 


*  Although  the  Victorias  had  a  pedigree  running  back  to  "the  beauti- 
ful Lady  Maynard"  of  Charles  Colling's  herd  the  original  females  of 
this  family  at  Sittyton  were  not  well  liked  by  Amos  Cruickshank.  The 
old  Scot's  Boswell,  Mr.  Jamieson,  says  :  "I  remernber  passing  through 
the  byres  at  Sittyton  one  day  many  years  ago  when  we  came  upon  a 
roan  cow.  'This,'  said  Mr.  Cruickshank,  'is  a  Victoria ;  my  brother 
thinks  a  great  deal  of  them.'  With  characteristic  reticence  he  said 
nothing  as  to  his  own  opinion,  but  I  gathered  from  the  tone  that  it 
was  not  quite  so  favorable.  It  was  not  until  their  constitution  had 
been  renovated  by  one  or  two  crosses  of  Champion  of  England  blood 
that  any  bulls  of  "the  tribe  were  kept  for  service  in  the  herd."  Latterly, 
however,  the  original  defects  were  quite  bred  out  and  the  substance, 
flesh  and  feeding  quality  for  which  Sittyton  finally  became  so  famous 
was  impressed  upon  the  Victorias  In  common  with  the  other  leading 
Cruickshank  tribes. 


564  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

1856  and  for  one  of  lier  descendants,  the  handsome 
Lancaster  25th,  Mr.  Barclaj^  of  Keavil  gave  150 
guineas.  She  proved  in  calf  at  the  time  to  Mr. 
Cruickshank's  Lord  Raglan  (13244),  and  in  April, 
1862,  gave  birth  to  three  heifer  calves,  two  of  which, 
Anne  and  Mary  of  Lancaster,  won  prizes  at  Kelso 
as  yearlings.  The  latter  subsequently  became  the 
dam  of  imp.  Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster  7535,  whose 
remarkable  influence  in  America  in  the  herd  of  Hon. 
J.  H.  Pickrell  has  already  been  commented  upon  in 
these  pages.  Mr.  Cruickshank  had  one  weakness. 
He  would  occasionally  put  his  best  cattle  in  price  to 
wealthy  patrons.  Tempting  offers  induced  him  to 
part  with  the  best  of  these  three  Wilkinson  cows — 
Roman  9th.  The  Lancasters  also  got  away  from 
him,  so  that  after  a  few  years  he  had  nothing  left 
from  his  judicious  Lenton  purchase. 

The  Brawith  Buds. — This  celebrated  Cruickshank 
family  comes  from  the  cow  Pure  Gold,  descended 
from  the  famous  Brawith  Bud  already  mentioned  in 
connection  with  the  operations  of  Mr.  Grant  Duff 
of  Eden.  Pure  Gold  cost  Messrs.  Cruickshank  90 
guineas  at  ^ve  years  old  at  the  Eden  sale  of  1854. 
Old  Brawith  Bud  had  cost  160  guineas  in  1841  and 
produced  calves  until  eighteen  years  of  age,  during 
all  that  period  maintaining  perfect  health.  Amos 
Cruickshank  considered  her  one  of  the  most  remark- 
able cows  he  had  ever  seen.  Pure  Gold  was  often 
exhibited,  and  carried  home  to  Sittyton  many  first 
prizes  from  Aberdeen.    Like  her  maternal  ancestress 


AMOS  CRUICKSHAXK  OF  SITTYTON  565 

she  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  in  fact,  was  the  senior 
matron  of  the  herd  for  many  years. 

Pure  Gold's  daughter  Golden  Days,  a  great  milker 
and  grand  breeder,  sustained  the  reputation  of  her 
family  for  longevity.  She  gave  to  the  herd  the  three 
fine  bulls  Golden  Kule,  by  Champion  of  England; 
the  prize  bull  Pride  of  the  Isles,  by  Scotland's  Pride, 
and  Lord  of  the  Isles,  by  same  sire.  Pride  of  the 
Isles  was  chief  stock  bull  at  Sittyton  for  a  number  of 
years,  leaving  a  most  valuable  progeny,  including 
such  bulls  as  Cumberland  (46144),  Athabasca 
(47359)  and  Shapinshay  (45581).  Lord  of  the  Isles 
was  sold  to  Bruce  of  Inverquhomery,  but  was  after- 
ward bought  back  because  of  the  great  service  ren- 
dered by  his  brother.  One  daughter  of  Golden  Days, 
named  Golden  Morn,  was  bought  by  Mr.  Jamieson 
of  Ellon  and  in  his  hands  developed  into  an  excellent 
breeder.  She  was  quite  a  dairy  cow.  Another  heifer 
from  Golden  Days  retained  by  Mr.  Cruickshank  was 
Golden  Year.  True  to  the  traditions  of  her  tribe  she 
rounded  out  a  long  life  of  usefulness  in  the  herd. 
Among  the  most  famous  of  the  Brawith  Bud  cows 
may  be  mentioned  Gilliver,  Garnish,  Godiva  and 
Glowworm;  the  line  that  gave  rise  to  Roan  Eobin 
(57992),  Gondomar  (55821),  Gondolier  (52950), 
Wanderer  (60138)  and  other  noted  sires. 

It  is  stated  that  the  original  Brawith  Bud  cows 
at  Sittyton,  while  presenting  a  satisfactory  broad- 
side view,  were  somewhat  lacking  in  spread  of  rib, 
which  characteristic  was  not  whollv  corrected  until 


566  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

the  days  of  Champion  of  England.  That  they  pos- 
sessed remarkable  constitutions,  however,  is  clearly 
apparent.  They  were  developed  into  great  flesh-car- 
riers as  well  as  good  milkers  and  did  much  toward 
establishing  the  name  and  fame  of  Sittyton. 

Duchesses  of  Gloster. — This  sort,  like  the  Victo- 
rias, owed  its  excellence  at  Sittyton  to  the  skill  and 
judgment  of  Amos  Cruickshank.  Although,  like  the 
Victorias,  they  were  descended  originally  from  a 
very  celebrated  English  cow;  yet  the  female  that 
brought  the  blood  of  Magdalena,  by  Comet — the  only 
cow  that  Charles  Colling  reserved  at  the  time  of  the 
Ketton  dispersion — to  the  Cruickshank  herd  was  not 
herself  an  animal  of  special  superiority.  The  blood 
was  acquired  by  purchase  of  a  cow  called  Chance, 
by  Duke  of  Gloster  (11382),  bred  by  Earl  Ducie  and 
bought  in  1855  from  a  Mr.  Eobinson  of  Burton-on- 
Trent,  who  had  obtained  her  from  Tortworth.  She 
is  said  to  have  been  somewhat  wanting  in  constitu- 
tion and  her  first  heifers  produced  only  two  or  three 
calves  each.  Her  descendants  were  named  Duch- 
esses of  Gloster,  and  the  first  good  one  of  the  line  is 
said  to  have  been  the  7th  Duchess,  sired  by  Lord 
Eaglan.  She  had  five  calves  by  Champion  of  Eng- 
land that  measured  well  up  to  Mr.  Cruickshank 's 
standard.  In  fact,  the  Lord  Raglan  Duchesses  of 
Glosters  seemed  to  ''nick"  particularly  well  with 
the  Champion.  It  was  this  blending  of  blood  that 
produced  the  very  handsome  and  thoroughly  satis- 
factory   breeding    bull    Grand    Duke    of    Gloster 


AMOS  CRUICKSHAXK   OF  SITTYTOX  567 

(26288).  This  bull  perhaps  resembled  Champion  of 
England  more  than  any  other  of  his  sons;  unfortu- 
nately, however,  he  broke  a  leg  as  the  result  of  an 
accident  at  two  years  old,  leaving  but  few  calves,  all 
of  which  were  of  pronounced  merit.  Among  them 
was  Royal  Duke  of  Grioster  (29864),  that  was  not 
only  a  bull  of  superb  individual  merit,  but  proved 
one  of  the  most  valuable  sires  ever  used  in  the  herd. 
Mr.  Cruickshank  always  considered  that  his  loss  of 
Grand  Duke  of  Gloster  was  almost  irreparable. 

The  Duchess  of  Gloster  was  not  largely  repre- 
sented in  the  herd  toward  the  last,  but  at  different 
times  has  thrown  some  of  the  most  perfect  speci- 
mens of  the  real  Cruickshank  type. 

The  Secrets. — Another  one  of  Anthony  Cruick- 
shank 's  purchases  was  the  cow  Sympathy,  bought  at 
Mr.  Tanqueray -s  sale  at  Hendon,  along  with  the  bull 
The  Baron  (13833),  in  1855.  She  represented  the 
Bates  line  of  breeding  and  was  got  by  the  Duchess 
bull  Duke  of  Athol  (10150).  She  was  in  calf  to  The 
Baron  at  the  time  of  purchase  and  produced  to  that 
service  the  heifer  Sunrise.  Sympathy  afterward 
produced  two  heifers,  Splendor  and  Splendid,  by 
Lord  Sackville  (13249).  While  Sympathy  and  Sun- 
rise w^ere  rather  deficient  in  substance  the  Lord 
Sackville  heifers  were  full  of  it.  Mr.  Cruickshank 
retained  at  Sittyton  only  the  descendants  of  this 
robust  pair.  The  sort  proved  prolific  and  consti- 
tuted quite  a  feature  of  the  herd  up  to  the  very  last. 
Probablv  one  of  the  best  of  the  Secret  cows  was 


568  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HOEX   CATTLE 

Surname,  dam  of  the  successful  Collynie  stock  bull 
Scottish  Archer  (59833).  None  of  the  Secret  bulls 
were  used  at  Sittyton. 

The  Cicely  sort. — In  1860  there  was  bought  from 
Mr.  Morrison  of  Bognie  an  evenly-built,  low-legged, 
level-fleshed  red  cow,  with  white  marks,  called  Cro- 
cus, sired  by  Jemmy  (11611).  She  was  bred  to  Lan- 
caster Royal  (18167),  of  the  Wilkinson  Lancaster 
sort,  and  produced  the  heifer  Cicely,  that  became 
the  ancestress  of  some  of  the  grandest  cows  Mr. 
Cruickshank  ever  bred,  including  Courtesy  by  Scot- 
land 's  Pride,  Champion  by  Roan  Gauntlet,  Circassia 
by  Champion  of  England,  Cornucopia  by  Grand 
Vizier  and  Corolla  by  Feudal  Chief.  Those  who 
were  familiar  with  the  herd  in  its  prime  have  al- 
ways asserted  that  Courtesy  and  Campion  were 
among  the  greatest  cows  ever  produced  upon  the 
farm,  possessing  splendid  substance  and  great  scale. 
Mr.  Deane  Willis'  fine  show  heifer  Cactus  is  of 
Cicely  descent. 

The  Cicelys  trace  on  the  dam's  side  to  the  cow 
Premium,  by  George  (2057),  that  was  bought  by 
Mr.  Cruickshank  from  Grant  Duff  in  1841;  so  that 
they  are  of  kindred  origin  with  the  Matchless  sort 
already  mentioned. 

Avalanche. — Contemporary  with  Crocus  was  the 
cow  Avalanche,  bought  as  a  yearling  at  the  sale  of 
Mr.  Dudding  of  Panton  in  1860.  She  was  a  roan, 
sired  by  the  closely-bred  Booth  bull  Sir  Samuel, 
and,  although  not  particularly  strong  as  an  indi- 


AMOS  CRUICKSHAXK  OF  SITTYTON  569 

vidual,  she  left  a  heifer  in  the  herd,  Anemone,  by  the 
prize  bull  Forth  (17866),  that  was  fruitful  of  good 
results.  Bred  to  the  Champion  of  England  bull 
Caesar  Augustus  (25704),  Anemone  produced  Aza- 
lea, the  mother  of  the  great  Field  Marshal  (47870)— 
undoubtedly  the  grandest  of  all  the  latter-day  Cruick- 
shank  bulls.  She  was  also  the  dam  of  the  good  sire 
Athabasca  (47359),  used  with  success  by  Mr.  Marr 
at  Uppermill.  Alma,  a  granddaughter  of  Anemone, 
was  one  of  the  best  cows  produced  by  the  Avalanche 
tribe;  acquiring  considerable  renown  in  the  herd  of 
Mr.  Mitchell.  No  bulls  of  this  tribe  were  tried  by 
Mr.  Cruickshank. 

Violette. — A  rather  plain-looking  cow  of  this 
'name,  that  produced  valuable  stock  when  crossed 
with  Cruickshank  bulls,  was  bought  in  1860  at  the 
sale  of  her  breeder,  Mr.  Morrison  of  Montcoffer. 
Mated  with  Champion  of  England  she  gave  birth  to 
three  capital  daughters,  known  as  Violante,  Finella 
and  Victorine.  To  Grand  Monarque  she  produced 
Vellum.  Violante  was  a  noble  cow  and  bred  until 
fifteen  years  of  age.  Vellum  produced  the  bull  Privy 
Seal  (50268),  that  proved  useful  in  the  herd  of  Bruce 
of  Inverquhomery.  These  daughters  of  Violette 
were  among  the  best  cows  of  their  time  at  Sittyton. 

The  Lovelys. — As  already  stated  in  our  references 
to  Mr.  Hay  of  Shethin  this  Sittyton  sort  was  derived 
from  the  two  good  cows  Lovely  6th  and  Lovely  8th, 
bought  at  the  Shethin  sale  of  1863.  The  family  came 
originally  from  the  beautiful  cow  Marion,  by  An- 


570  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

thony  (1640),  that  had  been  bought  in  England  from 
Mr.  Lovell  of  Edgcott.  Bred  to  Grand  Monarque 
(21867)  Lovely  8th  gave  the  Messrs.  Cruickshank 
one  of  the  bulls  that  made  their  reputation — Scot- 
land's Pride  (25100).  She  also  left  the  handsome 
cow  Lovely  9th,  which,  bred  to  Champion  of  Eng- 
land, produced  Lord  Lancaster  (26666) ^  also  used  in 
the  herd.  The  Lovelys  were  prime  favorites  with 
Mr.  Cruickshank,  and  he  also  put  in  service  the  bull 
Lord  Landsdowne  (29128),  a  grandson  of  Lovely 
6th. 

Barmpton  Roses. — The  Sittyton  branch  of  this  re- 
nowned English  show-yard  tribe  descended  from 
Butterfly's  Pride  obtained  from  Col.  Towneley  in 
1864.  She  was  sired  by  the  champion  show  bull 
Eoyal  Butterfly  (16862),  and  at  the  time  of  her  pur- 
chase was  in  calf  to  the  Bates  Duchess  bull  2d  Duke 
of  Wharf  dale  (19649).  The  produce  was  a  heifer, 
Butterfly's  Joy,  that  was  scarcely  up  to  the  family 
standard.  The  astonishing  success  of  Towneley 's 
great  herd  manager,  Joseph  Culshaw,  with  the 
Barmpton  Roses  in  the  great  show-yards  of  Eng- 
land, Scotland  and  Ireland,  as  well  as  at  the  Paris 
Exposition  of  1856,  seemed  to  have  been  due  largely 
to  the  successful  ''nick"  of  Booth  blood,  and  that 
of  the  bull  Frederick  (11489),  with  the  Barmpton 
Rose  base.*    At  any  rate  the  Bates  cross,  as  repre- 


*The  author  regrets  that  Towneley  has  not  that  close  identification 
with  American  Short-horn  breeding  operations  wiiich  has  made  it 
necessary  to  discuss  at  such  length  various  other  British  herds.  Those 
who  write  specially  for  English  readers  certainly  have  in  Culshaw  a 
character  unique  in  Short-horn  history,  and   in   his  beauteous   Butter- 


AMOS  CKUICKSHAXK  OF  SITTYTON  571 

sented  by  Butterfly's  Joy  at  Sittyton,  did  not  seem 
to  produce  equal  results;  but  a  dash  of  the  blood 
of  the  great  North-country  show  bull  Forth,  through 
his  son  Allan  (21172),  seemed  to  bring  back  much 
of  the  beauty  of  the  sort  as  displayed  at  Towneley. 
Bred  to  the  bull  last  named  Butterfly 's  Joy  produced 

flys  and  regal  Roan  Duchesses  an  inspiration  that  should  tempt  the 
dullest  pen  to  flights  rhetorical.  While  the  subject  is  of  only  collateral 
interest  to  America  the  Short-horn  breeding  world  claims  the  name 
and  fame  of  Towneley  as  a  part  of  the  common  heritage.  A  few  of 
the  main  facts   relating  to   the  herd  may   therefore  be   here  recorded. 

The  West  of  England,  like  the  North  of  Scotland,  developed  some 
great  herdsmen.  There  is  nothing  like  having  to  overcome  obstacles 
to  build  up  mental  power.  The  County  of  Lancaster  is  noted  for  its 
manufacturing  rather  than  for  its  agricultural  interests.  It  has  within 
its  borders  those  great  emporiums  of  trade  the  cities  of  Liverpool  and 
Manchester.  Col.  Towneley's  home  farm  adjoined  Burnley,  one  of  the 
smaller,  but  none  the  less  busy,  Lancastrian  centers  of  industry.  The 
soil  was  cold  and  sour.  Grain  rarely  ripened  and  roots  gave  up  in 
disgust.  The  land  was  impervious  to  drainage  on  account  of  its  stiff 
clay  subsoil ;  moreover  it  was  encroached  upon  by  the  Burnley  fac- 
tories and  shops,  and  the  smoke  and  gases  from  the  furnaces  de- 
stroyed much  of  the  vegetation.  Science  could  avail  little  against  such 
conditions  so  far  as  farming  operations  were  concerned.  Nevertheless 
a  Short-horn  herd,  probably  the  peer  of  any  that  has  ever  existed  else- 
where, was  here  developed.  Not  many  leagues  to  the  north  was  Hol- 
ker  Hall,  where  the  Duke  of  Devonshire  also  scored  a  brilliant  success. 
It  is  worthy  of  note,  however,  that  Culshaw  came  before  the  birth 
of  the  Butterflys  and  that  Drewry  preceded  the  Grand  Duchesses  of 
Oxford. 

It  was  in  1848  that  Col.  Towneley  got  through  that  rare  judge  Mr, 
Eastwood  of  Whitewell,  in  the  Valley  of  the  Hodder,  the  twenty  head 
of  cattle  that  brought  him  fame  imperishable.  At  the  sale  of  Henry 
Watson  Eastwood  had  bought  the  fine  cow  Buttercup,  "a  sort  of  yel- 
low-red, and  like  Hubback  in  her  flecks,"  a  daughter  of  the  celebrated 
Barmpton  Rose.  The  latter  was  bred  by  Mr.  Waldy  of  Barmpton,  near 
Darlington.  She  was  full  of  Robert  Colling's  old  Red  Rose  blood,  and 
was  a  heavy-bodied,  broad-ribbed,  deep-milking  strawberry  roan. 
"He  whome  the  gods  call  Culshaw, 
And  men  on  earth  call  'Joe,'  " 
was  under  "Tom"  Mason  at  Sir  Charles  Tempest's  when  Barmpton  Rose 
was  brought  from  the  Walkeringham  sale  to  Broughton  Hall,  and  her 
buxom  beauty  made  a  deep  impression  upon  the  "future  great"  trainer 
and  breeder.  W^hen  a  mere  lad  Culshaw  betrayed  an  irrepressible  en- 
thusiasm for  the  "red,  white  and  roans."  Upon  one  occasion  he  was 
sent  with  a  cow  that  was  to  be  bred  to  a  bull  at  Whitaker's,  and  the 
brightness  of  the  boy  and  his  interest  in  the  cattle  so  attracted  the 
attention  of  the  proprietor  that  he  personally  showed  the  youtliful  am- 
bassador through  the  Greenholme  Herd  in  detail.  That  was  indeed  a 
great  day  for  "little  Joe."  Would  that  all  of  those  who  have  such  op- 
portunities would  evince  the  same  disposition  to  encourage  young  men 
wlio  manifest  a  love  for  good  cattle  ! 

Col.  Towneley  was  a  man  of  great  wealth  and  many  acres  and  en- 
gaged Eastwood  as  his  general  manager.  The  latter  was  fond  of  Kil- 
lerby  and  its  Short-horns,  and  after  buying  Buttercup  hired  from  John 
Booth  the  bull  Jeweler  (10354),  son  of  Necklace,  "a  short  bull  with  a 


572  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

the  good  cow  Barmpton  Flower,  which,  mated  with 
Royal  Duke  of  Gloster  gave  Mr.  Cruickshank  the 
excellent  stock  bull  Barmpton  (37763),  famous 
throughout  America  as  the  sire  of  imp.  Baron  Vic- 
tor, the  bull  that  fairly  made  the  herd  of  Col.  W.  A. 
Harris  of  Linwood.     An  own  sister  to  Barmpton 


bad  head  and  a  light  neck,  but  with  capital  sides  and  quality."  But- 
tercup, served  by  this  bull  and  weak  from  an  attack  of  "foot-and- 
mouth,"  and  her  half-sister  Bessie,  another  daughter  of  Barmpton 
Rose,  in  calf  to  Lax's  Duke  (9032),  were  included  in  the  lot  that  went 
to  Towneley  in  1848.  The  former  dropped  butterfly  and  the  latter  the 
great  stock  bull  Frederick  (11489) — the  pair  from  whence  came  those 
show-yard  monarchs  Master  Butterfly  (13311)  and  Royal  Butterfly 
(16862). 

After  having  served  a  long  apprenticeship  under  Mason  at  Sir 
Charles  Tempest's  Culshaw  was  hired  by  Col.  Towneley  in  1849.  He 
had  been  with  Mr.  Ambler,  the  breeder  of  the  celebrated  Grand  Turk 
(12969),  for  the  previous  eighteen  months,  and  while  there  had  taken 
Senator  to  the  Royal  and  defeated  Mr.  Bates'  2d  and  3d  Dukes  of  Ox- 
ford. "Jeweler  went  with  the  Eastwood  cows  to  Towneley,  and  soon 
afterward  the  Booth -bred  Lord  George  (10439) — son  of  Birthday  and 
sire  of  2d  Duke  of  Athol  in  the  Airdrie  Duchess  pedigree — followed. 

The  opportunitj'  that  Culshaw  had  so  long  desired  was  now  pre- 
sented :  He  had  under  his  control  at  Towneley  a  rare  good  lot  of 
cows  selected  by  Mr,  Eastwood  and  Mr.  Strafford-  He  was  keen  to 
try  conchisions  with  the  best  breeders  and  fitters  of  the  realm  at  a 
time  when  show-yard  enthusiasm  had  been  fanned  into  a  fierce  flame 
largely  through  the  triumphs  of  the  Booths.  With  the  active  sympathy 
and  support  of  his  employers  Culshaw  charged  the  entire  line  of  oppo- 
sition with  one  of  the  most  admirably  brought  out  collections  of  Short- 
horns the  world  has  ever  seen.  Butterfly  herself  opened  the  ball, 
and  with  her  rich  loins,  beautiful  bosom  and  wonderful  quality  walked 
through  the  show-rings  of  her  time  almost  without  defeat.  She  had 
six  living  calves,  and  after  her  frame  was  bent  with  age  produced 
Royal  Butterfly  that  was  seen  as  late  as  in  his  thirteenth  year  at  the 
National  Show  at  Manchester.  He  was  a  noble,  thick-fleshed  roan 
with  wonderful  thighs.  It  was  in  1853  that  Butterfly  gave  birth  to 
the  world-famous  roan  Master  Butterfly.  After  winning  firsts  and 
championships  over  all  Britain,  and  heading  the  great  Gold  Medal 
herd  shown  at  the  Paris  Exposition  of  1856,  he  was  sold  at  the  then 
extraordinary  price  of  1,200  guineas  for  export  to  Australia.  Beauty's 
Butterfly  was  one  of  the  most  noted  of  the  winners  and  after  gaining 
Royal  honors,  won  at  the  London  Smithfleld  Fat-Stock  Show,  and  re- 
turned to  fresh  triumphs  in  the  breeding  rings  the  following  year, 
earning  for  Culshaw  a  characteristic  recognition  from  Punch  in  verse 
under  the  heading  "Joe's  Lament."  Space  will  not  admit  of  our  record- 
ing here  even  the  names,  much  less  the  winnings,  of  the  Towneley 
cattle.  From  the  year  1850  to  1864  they  were  constantly  seen  at  the 
leading  exhibitions  of  England,  Scotland  and  Ireland,  winning  upward 
of  $10,000  in  cash  besides  twenty-two  challenge  cups.  Culshaw  was  not 
only  the  prince  of  all  "trainers"  of  his  time,  but  had  most  extraordi- 
nary success  in  holding  his  show  cows  to  their  work  as  breeders. 
Richard  Gibson,  who  knew  him  well,  submits  the  following  tribute: 
"Mr.  Culshaw  was  one  whose  name  will  be  identified  with  Short-horns 
long  after  many  of  his  contemporaries  are  forgotten.     Of  a  quiet,  un- 


AMOS  CEUICKSHAXK   OF  SITTYTON  573 

Flower,  known  as  Butterfly's  Delight,  produced  the 
bull  Barmpton  Prince  (32995),  by  Viceroy,  that  was 
chosen  for  service  in  the  herd.  He  had  to  be  sent 
to  the  butcher,  however,  at  an  early  age  as  the  result 
of  a  broken  leg,  and  left  but  few  calves,  all  of  ex- 
cellent character.  Mr.  Cruickshank  earnestly  de- 
sired to  introduce  the  Barmpton  Rose  blood  into  his 
herd,  and  used  another  bull  from  Butterfly's  Joy, 
known  as  Ben  Wyvis  (30528). 


obtrusive  temperament,  still  he  had  a  forceful  manner ;  his  word  was 
trusted,  but  in  his  strong  provincial  dialect  he  had  more  power  with 
which  to  express  himself  than  had  he  been  loaded  to  the  muzzle  with 
Latin  and  Greek.  Of  him  it  is  said  that  his  equal  had  never  been 
who  could  keep  on  showing  successfully  and  have  his  show  cattle  breed 
regularly  and  keep  on  producing  winners.  He  graduated  from  a  good 
school,  his  father  being  employed  at  Sir  C.  Tempest's,  and  under  Tom 
Mason  he  and  his  half-brother,  George  Moore  (still  at  Holker),  made 
for  themselves  reputations  that  will  be  ever  green.  Moreover,  from 
the  same  school  was  sent  forth  James  Knowles,  whose  name  was  so 
intimately  connected  with  the  herds  of  Lord  Ducie  and  of  Col.  Gunter." 

A  second  herd  was  begun  by  Col.  Towneley  shortly  after  the  disper- 
sion of  the  original  stock  in  1864.  Some  of  the  Butterfly  cows  were 
bought  back,  but  Bates  blood  predominated.  Royal  Butterfly  had  been 
reserved  at  the  closing-out  sale  at  an  upset  price  of  1,200  guineas.  The 
Bates-bred  Baron  Oxford,  however,  was  the  principal  sire  used  in  the 
second  herd.  Some  Oxford  females  were  also  added.  The  show-yards 
were  again  invaded  and  daughters  of  Baron  Oxford  were  winners  at 
the  Manchester,  Oxford  and  Cardiff  Royals  from  1869  to  1872.  The 
second  herd  was  closed  out  in  1873  at  high  prices,  as  noted  in  a  pre- 
vious chapter. 

Col.  Towneley  received  some  great  prices  for  his  pets  at  private 
treaty.  Douglas  of  Athelstaneford  gave  500  guineas  for  Ringlet,  that 
became  the  dam  of  his  500-guinea  Queen  of  Athelstane.  For  Fred  er- 
ica and  Lalla  Rookh  Mr.  Thome  paid  700  guineas.  The  former  had 
been  the  first-prize  yearling  at  the  Lewes  Royal,  but  was  accidentally 
killed  at  sea.  The  great  Towneley  sale  of  fifty-six  head,  of  which 
twenty-eight  were  Barmpton  Roses,  proved  one  of  the  most  memo- 
rable in  English  Short-horn  history.  A  company  of  not  less  than  3,000 
persons  assembled  and  competition  for  the  best  lots  was  active  be- 
tween the  best  breeders  of  the  Kingdom.  Royal  Butterfly's  Duchess 
fetched  £500  and  the  bull  Royal  Butterfly  11th  £400  from  the  agent  of 
Sir  William  Sterling  Maxwell  for  his  Scottish  herd  at  Keir  to  take 
the  place  of  Forth  that  had  been  sold  to  Messrs.  Cruickshank.  The 
general  average  of  the  sale  was  £128. 

The  Towneley  Butterflys  were  specially  distinguished  for  their  fine 
style,  finish,  quality  and  long,  level  quarters.  While  somewhat  on  the 
upstanding  order,  they  were  of  a  substantial  mold,  possessing  gay  car- 
riage and  stepped  like  "hunters." 

All  hands  at  Towneley  were  fond  of  a  good  horse.  Kettledrum,  a 
Derby  winner,  and  the  "king  bull"  of  his  day,  Roj'al  Butterfly,  were  in 
the  "Towneley  stables  at  the  same  date.  Eastwood  and  Culshaw  owned 
Butterfly,  winner  of  The  Oaks  and  other  races,  adding  to  the  herds- 
man's bank  account  not  less  than  $10,000.  "Joe"  had  named  the  filly 
"after  'tauld  coo." 


574  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

The  Spicys. — There  was  bought  from  Mr.  Milne 
of  Kiiiaklie,  Aberdeenshire,  in  1868,  a  cow  known  as 
Spicy  4th.  She  was  a  daughter  of  a  cow  that  had 
been  brought  from  the  herd  of  Mr.  Harvey  Combe 
of  Cobham  Park,  Surrey,  Eng.,  who  had  obtained  the 
family  originally  from  the  Earl  of  Carlisle.  Spicy, 
by  Marmaduke  (14897),  the  cow  taken  from  Surrey 
to  Aberdeen  by  Mr.  Milne,  had  the  reputation  of 
being  an  extra  good  one.  At  Sittyton  her  daughter 
Spicy  4th,  bred  to  Champion  of  England,  gave  birth 
to  the  fine  cow  Silvery,  the  ancestress  of  an  excel- 
lent, although  not  numerous,  family.  To  this  source 
the  bulls  Strongbow  (52230)  and  Sea  King  (61769) 
traced  their  maternal  origin.  Strongbow  was  used 
two  seasons  by  Mr.  Cruickshank,  and  one  of  his  get 
— the  bull  Norseman  (56233) — entered  the  herd  of 
Her  Majesty  Queen  Victoria  at  Windsor.  Of  this 
same  sort  also  was  the  roan  Spicy  Eobin  (69638), 
the  pick  of  the  Deane  Willis  bulls  of  1895  and  sold 
at  twelve  months  old  for  250  guineas. 

The  Lavenders. — Mr.  Cruickshank  always  regret- 
ted having  parted  with  the  AVilkinson  cows  previ- 
ously mentioned  in  our  references  to  the  Lancaster 
family,  and  he  made  repeated  efforts  to  recover  some 
of  the  original  Lenton  blood,  for  which  he  had  the 
highest  respect.  Some  difficulty  was  met  with,  how- 
ever, in  again  acquiring  satisfactory  representatives 
of  that  noted  Nottingham  herd.  A  few  of  the  Hebes 
were  finally  obtained  from  Messrs.  Budding  of  Pan- 
ton,  but  they  proved  unsatisfactory  and  were  soon 


AMOS    CRUICKSHANK    OF    SITTYTON  575 

disposed  of.  From  a  Mr.  Harris  of  Worcestersliire 
a  Lenton  Lady  and  a  Lancaster  were  then  obtained, 
but  they  also  proved  disappointing.  It  was  not  until 
1870  that  the  original  Lenton  threads  were  gathered 
up  successfully.  In  that  year  some  Lavenders  were 
obtained  from  Mr.  Butler  of  Badminton,  who  had 
purchased  the  matron  of  the  family  in  his  hands 
from  a  Mr.  Logan  of  Newport,  Ireland,  who  had  got 
the  blood  direct  from  Wilkinson.  Mr.  Cruickshank 
bought  these  Butler  cows  solely  on  account  of  their 
Lenton  origin,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  the  inter- 
vening crosses  had  materially  modified  the  original 
type.  At  first  they  did  not  promise  the  desired  re- 
sults, but  after  being  subjected  to  several  infusions 
of  Sittyton  blood  they  began  to  justify  his  faith. 
It  is  stated  that  Lavender  16th,  by  Lord  Lands- 
downe,  and  Lavender  17th,  by  Royal  Duke  of  Glos- 
ter,  and  their  descendants  were  much  the  best  of 
the  tribe.  Lavender  17th  was  considered  the  best 
heifer  of  her  year  in  the  herd  and  matured  into  one 
of  the  great  cows  of  her  time.  Lavender  l"6th  pos- 
sessed great  scale  and  produced  many  calves,  among 
others  the  bull  Feudal  Chief  (51251),  used  in  the 
herd  at  the  very  close  of  its  career.  Some  of  the 
best  Cruickshank  females  we  have  had  in  America 
were  of  this  Lavender  family,  and  it  has  to  its  credit 
in  recent  years  in  England  the  production  of  Mr. 
Deane  Willis'  Royal  prize-winning  bull  Count  Lav- 
ender (60545). 
First  Sittyton  bulls. — The  first  Sittyton  sires  came 


576  A   HISTORY    OF   SHOKT-IIORX    CATTLE 

from  Barclay  of  Ury.  While  the  foundations  were 
being  laid  cows  and  heifers  were  in  many  cases  sent 
to  be  bred  to  bulls  on  neighboring  farms.  Notably 
that  of  James  Walker  of  Wester  Fintray,  afterward 
well  known  in  the  Aberdeen-Angus  trade.  Walker 
liked  a  good  Short-horn,  and  among  the  Webster 
Fintray  bulls  patronized  by  Mr.  Cruickshank  were 
General  Picton  (3876)  and  Sovereign  (7539).  The 
first  Barclay  bull  purchased  was  the  white  Inkhorn 
(6091),  whose  name  was  derived  from  the  farm  from 
whence  he  came.  Barclay,  like  Bobertson  and  Ren- 
nie  in  the  South,  had  been  somewhat  indifferent  to 
herd  book  registration.  Inkhorn  traced  on  his  dam's 
side  to  the  best  English  foundations,  as  set  forth  in 
the  herd  book,  but  his  sire  is  not  given.  The  bull 
calves  Chancellor  (5850)  and  Premier  (6308),  both 
bred  by  Capt.  Barclay  and  both  by  Mahomed  (6170), 
were  next  purchased.  Premier,  out  of  the  cow  Mary 
Anne  by  Sillery,  was  retained,  and  Chancellor  sold 
to  Mr.  Bruce  of  Heatherwick.  The  latter,  however, 
turned  out  to  be  the  better  bull.  Then  came  Con- 
queror (6884),  bought  as  an  aged  bull.  He  was  also 
of  Ury  blood  and  by  Mahomed. 

Fairfax  Royal  (6987).— The  first  of  the  long  line 
of  distinguished  bulls  used  at  Sittyton  was  Fairfax 
Royal  (6987),  a  rich  dark  roan,  bred  by  William 
Torr.  He  was  bought  in  1845  as  a  two-year-old  for 
150  guineas  at  a  sale  made  by  Mr.  Watson  of  Walk- 
eringham,  who  had  given  100  guineas  for  him  as  a 
calf.    According  to  all  the  accounts  that  have  been 


AMOS    CRUICKSHANK    OF    SITTYTON  577 

handed  down  concerning  the  earlier  Sittyton  stock, 
and  judging  by  the  illustration  in  Vol.  VI  Coates' 
Herd  Book,  Fairfax  Eoyal  was  a  bull  of  outstanding 
merit,  full  of  substance,  flesh  and  hair.  He  was  sired 
by  Lord  Adolphus  Fairfax  (4249)  out  of  Fair  Rosa- 
mond, and  was  a  prime  favorite  with  Amos  Cruick- 
shank.  He  was  a  first-prize  bull  at  Aberdeen  in 
1847,  and  in  the  opinion  of  those  who  knew  the  best 
of  the  North  Scottish  bulls,  ranked  with  the  famous 
Forth  as  one  of  the  best  bulls  ever  owned  in  Aber- 
deenshire. Jamieson  states  that  his  heifers  had  this 
peculiarity  that  many  of  them  would  not  breed  until 
three  years  old,  but  when  once  started  bred  regu- 
larly and  well.  Several,  however,  were  sold  fat  to 
the  butcher  before  this  was  discovered.  The  same 
authority  says:  "I  remember  having  seen  the  cow 
Carmine  Eose,  by  Fairfax  Eoyal,  whose  name  ap- 
pears in  the  pedigree  of  the  Violet  family.  She  was 
a  grand  beast,  very  fat  and  had  been  put  to  the  plow 
for  awhile  to  get  her  to  breed.'' 

Hudson  (9228),  Report  (10704)  and  Velvet  Jacket 
(10998).— At  the  English  Eoyal  Show  of  1848  the 
first-prize  bull  in  the  class  for  yearlings  was  Hudson 
(9228),  bred  by  W.  Linton  of  Sheriff  Hutton,  York- 
shire. Being  in  need  of  a  bull  Amos  Cruickshank 
went  to  see  him  and  although  not  particularly  im- 
pressed bought  him — it  is  stated  because  he  could 
not  suit  himself  better  at  the  time — for  use  at  Sitty- 
ton. Hudson  was  a  yellow-red,  somewhat  lacking 
in  scale,  but  possessed  of  exceptional  quality,  and 


578  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

won  second  at  a  Royal  Northern  Show.  He  was  kept 
in  service  two  years  and  two  of  his  daughters,  both 
possessing  his  golden  skin  and  quality,  were  retained 
for  breeding  purposes.  One  of  these  was  China  Rose 
out  of  the  Violet  cow  Carmine  Rose  previously  men- 
tioned. 

Resort  was  next  had  to  the  herd  of  S.  Wiley  of 
Brandsby,  from  whom  was  hired  the  roan  bull  Re- 
port (10704),  described  as  "neat  and  compact,  but 
smallish;  and  chiefly  remembered  as  the  sire  of  a  re- 
markably fine  cow,  Buttercup,  which  had  both  sub- 
stance and  style  in  an  unusual  degree. '^  Fair  suc- 
cess seems  to  have  attended  the  use  of  the  Wiley 
bull. 

The  roan  Velvet  Jacket  (10998),  bred  by  Mr.  Un- 
thank,  was  bought  in  1850  from  Douglas  of  Athel- 
staneford,  whose  East  Lothian  herd  had  leaped  into 
fame  as  a  result  of  some  remarkable  show-yard 
victories.  Bred  to  Rose  of  Autumn,  one  of  the  great- 
est of  the  Douglas  cows.  Velvet  Jacket  sired  the 
celebrated  Rose  of  Summer.  Before  she  was  devel- 
oped, however,  Amos  Cruickshank  offered  Douglas 
£50  for  the  bull,  which  Avas  accepted  and  he  went 
to  Sittyton.  It  is  said  that  "Amos  considered  him 
a  good-looking  beast,  but  happening  soon  after  to 
see  his  dam  he  thought  her  so  very  bad  that  he  sold 
Velvet  Jacket  at  the  first  opportunity.''  What  few 
calves  he  sired  while  in  the  herd  made  no  special 
mark.  He  was  winner  of  first  prizes  at  the  High- 
lands, Royal  Northern  and  Royal  Dublin  Shows. 


AMOS    CEtrlCKSHANK    OF    SlTTYTON  579 

Matadore  (11800). — None  of  tlie  earlier  Sittyton 
sires  proved  of  more  practical  worth  than  the  dark- 
roan  Matadore  (11800).  At  the  time  he  was  intro- 
duced into  the  herd  the  females  numbered  about  120 
head.  This  was  in  1853.  Matadore  was  bred  by  Mr. 
W.  Smith  of  West  Easen,  Lincolnshire,  Eng.,  and 
was  an  own  brother  in  blood  to  one  of  the  most  valu- 
able cows  ever  imported  into  America;  to-wit,  the 
red-roan  Mazurka  for  which  Mr.  Alexander  paid 
$3,050.  Both  were  out  of  the  fine  cow  Moselle,  by 
Baron  of  Ravensworth  (-7811);  and  both  were  sired 
by  Booth  bulls — Mazurka,  by  Harbinger  (10297), 
and  Matadore,  by  Hopewell  (10332).  Mr.  Cruick- 
shank  purchased  from  Mr.  Smith  at  the  same  time 
another  son  of  Hopewell,  called  Bushranger  (11228), 
and  thought  the  latter  rather  the  better  of  the  two. 
He  practically  failed  to  breed,  however,  and  was 
soon  turned  off. 

Matadore  is  said  to  have  been  a  bull  of  fine  qual- 
ity, with  a  capital  skin  and  hair  and  strong  in  the 
loin;  his  fault  being  some  little  lack  of  width  through 
the  chest.  He  responded  readily  to  feed,  and  had 
been  first  at  the  Yorkshire  Show  of  1851  as  a  year- 
ling. He  was  first  at  the  Highland  Show  at  Perth 
in  1852  as  a  two-year-old  and  first  at  the  Eoyal 
Northern  of  1853.  He  was  used  in  the  herd  for  four 
years  with  much  success.  He  was  specially  distin- 
guished as  a  bull-getter;  his  sons  used  in  other  Scot- 
tish herds  giving  the  best  of  satisfaction  and  doing 
much  toward  establishing  the  reputation  of  Sittyton. 


580  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Among  these  were  Magnum  Bonum  (13277),  used  by 
the  Duke  of  Eichmand;  Pro  Bono  Publico  (13528), 
sold  to  Lord  Clancarty  of  Ireland ;  Prince  of  Coburg 
(15100);  Goldfinder  (14629);  Beeswing  (12456),  the 
first  noted  bull  used  by  Campbell  of  Kinellar;  De- 
fender (12867),  the  first  Cruickshank  bull  sold  for 
export  to  America  (see  page  266)  ;  and  Lord  Sack- 
ville  (13249),  that  was  the  first  home-bred  bull  ex- 
cept Prince  Edward  Fairfax  retained  for  service  by 
Mr.  Cruickshank. 

Lord  Sackville  was  a  ro^n  of  great  constitution, 
possessing  the  same  great  back  and  loin  that  distin- 
guished both  Matadore  and  Mazurka.  It  was  the 
cross  of  Lord  Sackville  upon  the  Secret  cows  that 
first  brought  that  sort  up  to  the  Sittyton  standard. 
A  portrait  of  Matadore  will  be  found  in  Vol.  X  of 
Coates'  Herd  Book. 

Plantagenet  (11906).  —  This  red-and-white  bull, 
bred  by  Col.  Towneley,  had  been  bought  as  a  calf 
by  Douglas  of  Athelstaneford,  who  sold  him  to  Mr. 
Cruickshank  as  a  yearling  in  1852.  He  was  sired 
by  Duke  of  Lancaster  (10929)— bred  by  Mr.  East- 
wood and  got  by  Lax's  Duke  (9032),  sire  of  Towne^ 
ley's  famous  Frederick  (11489) — out  of  Madeline, 
bred  by  John  Booth  of  Killerby.  Plantagenet  was 
shown  at  Aberdeen  as  a  yearling,  winning  first  prize, 
but  died  after  one  year's  service  at  Sittyton.  He 
was  the  sire  of  the  twin  heifer  calves  Virtue  and 
Verdure,  that  became  the  dams  of  two  of  the  great- 
est bulls  ever  known  in  Scotland — Virtue  producing, 


AMOS    CRUICKSHAXK    OF    SITTYTON  581 

to  a  service  by  Lancaster  Comet  (11663),  the  most 
renowned  of  all  Cruicksliank  bulls,  Champion  of 
England  (17526).  Her  sister.  Verdure,  bred  to  The 
Baron  (13833),  dropped  Scarlet  Velvet  (16916),  a 
very  stylish  bull  that  had  a  successful  career  in  the 
herd  of  Mr.  Campbell.  It  is  stated  that  Mr.  Cruick- 
shank  did  not  credit  Plantagenet  very  largely  in 
connection  with  the  production  of  Champion  of  Eng- 
land, that  honor  being  attributed  rather  to  Lancas- 
ter Comet.  Virtue  and  Verdure  and  another  Plan- 
tagenet cow,  Sharon's  Rose,  were  all  good  milkers 
but  rather  plain  in  appearance. 

Doctor  Buckingham  (14405). — This  red  bull  was 
a  pure  Booth,  bred  by  Ambler,  and  sired  by  Hope- 
well (10332)  out  of  the  Warlaby-bred  Bloom.  He 
cost  Messrs.  Cruicksliank  400  guineas.  Much  diffi- 
culty was  experienced  in  getting  him  to  serve  prop- 
erly and  after  a  short  time  he  was  sold  to  Mr.  R.  A. 
Alexander,  who  imported  him  to  Kentucky.  He 
figures  in  Mr.  Cruicksliank 's  operations  mainly  as 
the  sire  of  the  first  of  the  Sittyton  Orange  Blossoms. 

The  Baron  (13833).— At  Mr.  Tanqueray's  sale  at 
Hendon,  near  London,  in  1855  Mr.  Anthony  Cruick- 
shank  purchased  for  400  guineas  the  two-year-old 
red  bull  The  Baron  (13833),  that  had  been  bred  by 
Mr.  Richard  Chaloner  of  Ireland.  He  was  sired  by 
Baron  Warlaby  (7813)  out  of  Bon  Bon,  of  Earl  Spen- 
cer's breeding.  As  a  yearling  he  had  headed  his 
class  at  Dublin  and  in  Scotland  was  one  of  the  nota- 
ble winners  at  the  Highland  and  Royal  Shows  of 


582  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

1854,  1855  and  1856.  He  was  described  as  very  neat 
in  his  quarters,  but  rather  lacking  in  masculine  char- 
acter. In  spite  of  this  fact,  however,  he  proved  a 
very  prolific  and,  as  was  thought  at  the  time,  a  very 
successful  sire,  especially  of  heifers ;  his  get  showing 
more  style  and  finish  than  had  yet  been  seen  in  the 
herd.  His  bulls  generally  lacked  substance,  al- 
though Scarlet  Velvet  and  Magnus  Troil  constituted 
exceptions  to  this  rule. 

The  Baron  was  used  for  six  or  seven  years,  and 
his  heifers  grew  into  very  handsome  cows  up  to 
about  &Ye  years  of  age,  but  after  that  seemed  to  lose 
** bloom''  and  a  number  of  them  showed  signs  of 
disease.  They  were,  for  the  most  part,  indifferent 
milkers,  and  few  of  them  lived  to  be  more  than  seven 
or  eight  years  old.  Speaking  of  this  Jamieson  says : 
*^  There  was  evidently  a  want  of  constitution  about 
The  Baron,  but  it  must  have  been  many  years  before 
suspicion  arose  that  he  was  doing  mischief  in  the 
herd,  for  several  bulls  out  of  cows  sired  by  The 
Baron  were  kept  for  service.  None  of  them,  how- 
ever, proved  a  success  and  gradually  The  Baron 
blood  was  well  cleared  out.  Only  two  of  his  own 
sons  seem  to  have  been  used  as  stock  bulls,  namely. 
Baronet  (1614)  and  Lancaster  Eoyal  (18167).  Baro- 
net was  out  of  an  extra  good  cow,  Buttercup,  and 
was  used  for  two  or  three  seasons.  He  had  more 
substance  and  less  style  than  The  Baron,  was  sound 
and  robust  and  proved  to  be  a  useful  sire.  Lancaster 
Royal  was  kept  because  he  was  from  a  Lancaster 


AMOS    CKUICKSHAXK    OF    SITTYTON  583 

COW  whose  dam  came  from  Wilkinson  of  Lenton.  He 
was  little  used,  but  sired  the  good  cow  Cicely,  whose 
descendants  formed  one  of  the  best  families  at  Sitty- 
ton  in  the  latter  years  of  the  herd's  existence.'' 

Lord  Bathurst  (15173).— This  bull  was  dropped 
at  Sittyton  July  5,  1854,  by  the  Wilkinson  cow  Lan- 
caster 16th,  that  had  been  bought  at  the  Lenton  sale 
the  previous  year  in  calf  to  Monarch  (13347).  He 
was  one  of  three  yearling  bulls  exhibited  by  Messrs. 
Cruickshank  at  Aberdeen  in  1855  that  won  first, 
second  and  third  prizes,  the  latter  position  being  as- 
signed to  this  Lancaster  calf.  Although  the  Wilkin- 
son sort  was  held  in  high  esteem  at  Sittyton  a  red 
breeding  bull  was  wanted  just  at  this  time,  and  as 
Lord  Bathurst  was  roan  and  had  inherited  white 
legs  from  his  dam  he  was  sold  to  Mr.  Stronach  of 
Ardmeallie,  in  whose  hands  he  proved  a  remarkable 
getter.  He  met  with  an  accident,  however,  and  had 
to  be  killed  after  one  season's  use.  Before  leaving 
Sittyton  he  had  been  bred  to  several  heifers  and  two 
of  his  females,  Violet  and  Vintage,  grew  into  good 
cows  and  were  excellent  breeders.  Violet  produced 
Grand  Monarque  (21867),  a  stock-getter  of  outstand- 
ing merit,  and  also  Village  Rose,  that  was  in  all 
probability  about  the  best  cow  the  Cruickshanks 
ever  bred.  Vintage  was  the  dam  of  Village  Belle. 
It  has  always  been  considered  that  Village  Eose 
and  Village  Belle  were  the  two  best  of  all  the  great 
cows  sired  by  Champion  of  England. 

Master  Butterfly  2d  (14918).— This  was  a  son  of 


584  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Col.  Towneley^s  champion  bull  Master  Butterfly 
(13311),  that  was  sold  to  go  to  Australia  for  1,200 
guineas  after  having  headed  the  Towneley  herd  at 
the  National  Shows  of  Great  Britain  and  at  the  In- 
ternational Exposition  at  Paris  in  1856.  His  dam 
was  the  show  cow  Vestris  2d.  He  had  been  bought 
by  Mr.  Marjoribanks  at  twelve  months  old  for  300 
guineas,  and  at  his  sale  in  1856  was  purchased  for 
Sittyton  at  400  guineas.  The  purchase  of  this  bull 
doubtless  reflected  Mr.  Anthony  Cruickshank's  de- 
sire to  profit  by  the  advertising  involved  in  the  own- 
ership of  a  high-priced  son  of  the  greatest  English 
show  bull  of  his  time.  Amos,  however,  never  liked 
him  and  upon  the  bulPs  death  some  twelve  months 
after  his  purchase  remarked  that  the  beast  had  not 
died  any  too  soon.  It  is  stated  that  what  few  calves 
he  sired  at  Sittyton  were  ^'light-made,  light-fleshed, 
too  leggy  and  never  had  carcass  enough."  We  be- 
lieve the  only  one  of  the  Sittyton  pedigrees  in  which 
this  bull's  name  appears  in  recent  years  is  one 
branch  of  the  Victorias. 

John  Bull  (11618).— From  the  foregoing  it  will 
be  observed  that  the  Messrs.  Cruickshank  were  in- 
clined to  test  all  of  the  leading  bloods  of  the  period; 
and  as  they  had  been  well  pleased  with  the  use  of 
the  Wiley  bull  Report,  already  mentioned,  they  now 
went  to  Brandsby  for  another  sire;  purchasing  in 
1858  John  Bull  (11618).  He  is  said  to  have  been  an 
animal  of  great  length  and  rather  high  on  leg.*    It 

♦Speaking  of  John  Bull,  Jamieson  says :  "He  was  a  very  lengthly 
animal,  not  too  well  let  down,  tender  on  his  feet  and  walked  very  slow. 


AMOS    CRUICKSHAXK    OF    SITTYTON  585 

is  interesting  to  note  as  evidencing  the  intent  of  Mr. 
Cruiekshank  to  weed  out  mercilessly  everything  that 
did  not  suit,  that  only  two  of  John  Bull 's  calves  were 
retained.  These  were  the  cows  Cressida  and  Jubilee, 
' '  both  compact,  deep,  well-proportioned  cows,  not  at 
all  too  long,  and  real  good  beasts." 

Lord  Raglan  (13244).— This  noted  bull  came  to 
Sittyton  at  seven  years  of  age,  in  1860,  and  was  used 
until  twelve  years  old.  He  was  bred  by  Mark  Stew- 
art of  Southwick  and  sired  by  Maynard's  Crusade 
(7938).  He  had  been  used  by  Douglas  of  Athel- 
staneford,  as  well  as  by  Lord  Kinnaird  and  Lord 
Southesk.  He  was  purchased  from  the  latter  at  110 
guineas.  It  is  of  interest  to  state  that  Mr.  AVilliam 
Miller,  then  of  Canada  and  later  of  Storm  Lake,  la., 
came  near  buying  Lord  Raglan  in  1856*  and  never 
ceased  to  regret  that  he  did  not  transfer  the  bull  to 
America. 

Lord  Eaglan  grew  into  *'a  large,  stylish,  rather 
highstanding  bull,  fertile  as  a  yearling,  quite  useless 
as  a  two-year-old  and  unusually  prolific  ever  after. 
In  outward  appearance  he  took  after  his  sire,  Cru- 


A  worthy  neighbor,  Mr.  Phillip  of  Boynds,  watching  him  on  one  occa- 
sion as  he  gradually  emerged  out  of  a  door  said :  'If  I  am  to  wait  until 
all  of  your  bull  comes  out,  Mr.  Cruiekshank,  I  would  need  a  chair  to 
sit  doon  on.'  " 

*Mr.  Miller,  who  was  in  Great  Britain  in  1856  buying  Short-horns, 
says :  "This  was  the  time  that  I  ought  to  have  sent  out  Lord  Raglan 
before  Cruiekshank  got  him.  Simon  Beattie  and  I  went  to  Southwick 
to  see  him,  but  Stewart  priced  him  just  high  enough  to  keep  him  out 
of  my  reach.  I  got  within  £3,  but  although  Simon  was  pvishing  me  I 
dare  not  go  it.  However,  I  have  no  doubt  the  bull  did  a  lot  more  good 
as  it  was.  Of  all  the  bulls  I  saw  in  Britain  at  that  time  I  preferred 
Lord  Raglan.  I  think  he  was  priced  to  me  at  about  £100.  He  was  then 
two  years  old  and  impressed  me  as  being  one  of  the  substantial  rather 
than  the  showy  sort." 


586  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

sade,  whom  Douglas  considered  the  best  bull  of  his 
day  in  England."  He  was  a  Highland  winner  in 
the  hands  of  Lord  Kinnaird  in  1857  and  on  being 
taken  North  to  Sittyton  in  1860  was  the  Challenge 
Cup  winner  at  the  Royal  Northern  and  first  at  the 
Perth  Highland  of  1861.  Probably  the  two  best  in- 
dividual cows  among  his  get  at  Sittyton  were  But- 
terfly 5th  and  The  Gem.  His  most  valuable  daugh- 
ter, however,  proved  to  be  Golden  Days,  possibly 
the  best  milker  of  her  time  in  the  herd.  She  left  a 
valuable  progeny,  including  the  prize  bull  Pride  of 
the  Isles  (35072),  and  lived  to  be  one  of  the  oldest 
cows  of  the  herd. 

The  Czar  (20947).— This  was  the  best  of  the  Lord 
Raglan  bulls  and  saw  considerable  service  at  Sitty- 
ton. He  was  a  red,  ''compact  and  well  set  on  his 
legs,''  and  sired  Carmine,  a  thick-fleshed,  well- 
haired  cow,  with  extraordinary  back  and  ribs,  that 
produced  the  famous  Princess  Royal  already  de- 
scribed. Mr.  Cruickshank  is  quoted  as  saying  that 
he  did  not  reap  as  much  benefit  from  the  use  of  Lord 
Raglan  as  he  had  anticipated.  Notwithstanding  this 
fact  some  of  his  very  best  cattle,  including  Grand 
Duke  of  Gloster  (26288),  Pride  of  the  Isles  (35072), 
Bridesman  (30586)  and  the  handsome  Mimulus  were 
bred  from  Lord  Raglan  cows." 

Lancaster  Comet  (11663). — Mr.  Cruickshank  had 
long  been  partial  to  the  stock  of  Wilkinson  of  Len- 
ton.  We  have  already  noted  his  efl^orts  at  intro- 
ducing the  blood  through  the  Lancasters  and  Laven- 


AMOS    CEUICKSHANK    OF    SITTYTON  587 

ders.  Robert  Bruce  relates  that  in  speaking  of  his 
first  visit  to  Lenton  to  inspect  Mr.  Wilkinson's  herd 
Mr.  Cruickshank  said:  "After  seeing  the  cattle  I 
was  so  excited  that  when  I  tried  to  write  to  Anthony 
at  night  I  could  not  use  a  pen.  I  had  to  write  with 
a  pencil."  This  little  incident  proves  two  things. 
First,  the  fact  that  in  spite  of  his  habitual  self-con- 
trol Amos  Cruickshank  possessed  a  quiet  enthusiasm 
capable  of  being  thoroughly  aroused.  It  indicates 
also  that  there  was  something  in  the  Wilkinson 
stock  not  found  in  other  contemporary  herds.  In 
fact,  the  Lenton  blood  alone  seems  to  have  been  the 
subject  of  Mr.  Cruickshank 's  steadfast  devotion. 

In  the  autumn  of  1858  it  was  thought  desirable  to 
purchase  a  stock  bull  for  use  at  Sittyton.  A  good 
young  red  one  was  desired  at  that  time.  Mr.  Cruick- 
shank wrote  to  Wilkinson,  inquiring  if  he  could  fur- 
nish such  a  bull.  He  replied  that  he  could  not,  but 
recommended  old  Lancaster  Comet  (11663),  then  in 
his  eighth  year,  which  he  "offered  to  sell  at  a  nominal 
price.  After  first  examining  the  herds  of  Mark 
Stewart,  S.  E.  Bolden,  Eichard  Booth,  Col.  Towne- 
ley  and  Messrs.  Budding  without  success  Mr.  Cruick- 
shank wrote  to  Wilkinson  that  he  might  ship  Lan- 
caster Comet.  He  was  forwarded  to  Sittyton  in  No- 
vember, 1858.  Mr.  Cruickshank  went  to  the  station 
to  meet  the  bull,  and  his  first  glimpse  of  '^his  great 
head  and  horns  lowering  upon  him  over  the  side  of 
the  truck"  caused  him  to  turn  away  in  disappoint- 
ment.    Lancaster  Comet  had   a  large   head,   with 


588  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

horns  of  great  length.  .  They  were  well  enough  set 
onto  the  head  and  curved  toward  the  front.  They 
were  not  very  thick,  nor  were  they  pointed  at  the 
tips,  being  more  uniform  in  thickness  from  base  to 
point  than  is  ordinarily  observed.  One  sarcastic 
neighbor,  of  the  type  often  present  upon  such  occa- 
sions, remarked:  "If  he  wanted  a  Highland  bull  he 
might  have  got  one  nearer  home.''  Notwithstand- 
ing the  horns,  however,  Lancaster  Comet  was  a  good 
bull.  He  stood  near  to  the  ground,  had  a  beautiful 
coat  of  hair,  a  round  barrel,  straight  top  and  bottom 
lines,  level  quarters,  nicely-filled  thighs,  carried 
plenty  of  flesh  and  was  active  on  his  feet.  In  size 
he  was  about  medium.  He  had  been  a  great  favorite 
with  Mr.  Wilkinson  and  was  somewhat  inbred,  both 
his  sire — The  Queen's  Roan  (7389) — and  dam  hav- 
ing been  got  by  the  same  bull,  the  roan  Will  Honey- 
comb (5660),  illustrated  in  Vol.  IV,  Coates'  Herd 
Book;  a  bull  that  was  bred  by  Mr.  J.  Beetham  of 
West  Harlsey,  near  Northallerton,  and  used  by  Mr. 
Wilkinson  for  some  years. 

Lancaster  Comet  was  scarcely  as  massive  as  Mr. 
Cruickshank  Avould  have  liked  and  was  relegated 
to  the  Clyne  farm,  it  is  said,  "to  hide  his  horns." 
The  following  spring  he  was  turned  into  a  pasture 
along  with  a  lot  of  cows  that  had  not  settled  to  the 
bulls  by  which  they  had  been  served.  He  ran  out 
quite  late  in  the  field  that  fall  and  contracted  rheu- 
matism so  severely  that  it  became  necessary  to  send 
him  to  the  shambles.    Not  more  tlian  a  dozen  calves 


AMOS    CRUICKSHANK    OP    SITTYTOX  589 

are  known  to  have  been  sired  by  him  at  Sittyton, 
perhaps  a  half  a  dozen  of  each  sex.  None  of  the 
females  were  retained.  One  of  them  called  Camelia 
made  a  fine  yearling  and  two-year-old,  but  was  dis- 
appointing at  full  maturity.  One  of  the  bulls,  re- 
corded as  Moonshade  (18419),  was  bought  by  Bruce 
of  Inverquhomery.  Another  that  attracted  no  spe- 
cial notice  for  a  time  was  retained  by  Mr.  Cruick- 
shank  under  the  name  of  Champion  of  England 
(17526).  Lancaster  Comet  had  cost  but  30  guineas, 
but  so  far-reaching  was  his  influence  upon  the  herd, 
as  exerted  through  the  bull  just  mentioned,  that  the 
history  of  the  Craickshank  cattle  naturally  divides 
itself  into  two  epochs,  one  dealing  with  the  period 
before  his  introduction  and  the  other  a  record  of 
what  followed  after  that  date. 

Champion  of  England  (17526). — From  the  founda- 
tion of  the  herd  in  1837  down  to  1860  it  had  been 
with  Amos  Cruickshank  one  long,  continuous  and 
but  partially  successful  search  for  the  type  of  cattle 
he  so  earnestly  desired.  During  that  time  great 
numbers  of  cows,  heifers  and  bulls  had  been  bought 
from  the  best  Scotch  and  English  herds,  but  in  spite 
of  a  long  list  of  show-yard  victories,  and  notwith- 
standing the  production  of  at  least  an  average  per- 
centage of  good  cattle,  Amos  Cruickshank 's  ideal 
had  scarcely  been  realized.  As  yet  there  was  a  lack 
of  uniformity  in  essential  characteristics.  Lancaster 
Comet,  however,  supplied,  through  Champion  of 
England   out   of   the   cow   Virtue   by   Plantagenet 


590  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

(11906),  the  means  of  correcting  this  fault.  He  was 
a  roan,  dropped  Nov.  29,  1859,  and  although  not  a 
phenomenal  calf  at  the  start  was  deemed  good 
enough  to  be  sent  to  the  Royal  English  Show  at 
Leeds  in  1861.  Being  a  November  calf  he  had  to 
compete  upon  that  occasion  against  two-year-olds, 
and  as  he  was  only  a  yearling  he  failed  to  secure  a 
place.  He  was  also  shown  at  Aberdeen,  but  was  only 
able  to  secure  a  third  prize.  On  account  of  this  non- 
success  he  came  near  being  disposed  of,  but  there 
was  something  about  the  young  bull's  hair,  quality 
and  thrift  that  led  Mr.  Cruickshank  to  decide  upon 
his  retention  for  a  time  at  least.  The  bull  was  par- 
ticularly strong  on  his  fore  ribs,  developed  remark- 
able feeding  quality  and  soon  began  to  assume  more 
massive  proportions  than  had  been  displayed  by  his 
sire.  He  was  not  so  level  in  his  quarters  as  Lan- 
caster Comet,  drooping  a  bit  from  the  hips  to  the 
tail,  a  fault  which  he  probably  inherited  from  his 
dam.*  His  calves  soon  evidenced  rare  promise. 
They  were  robust,  thick-fleshed,  near  to  the  ground 
and  possessed  a  propensity  for  putting  on  flesh  such 
as  had  not  been  shown  by  the  get  of  any  of  his  prede- 
cessors in  service.  Mr.  Cruickshank  resolved  to  use 
him  freely  and  not  risk  impairment  of  his  usefulness 


*Mr.  Jamieson  writes :  "I  do  not  remember  having  seen  the  Cham- 
pion's dam,  but  one  day  when  going  through  the  byres  with  Amos 
Cruickshank  I  asked  him  what  like  a  beast  she  was.  'Well,'  said  he, 
'she  was  very  like  that  one,'  pointing  to  a  cow  standing  at  the  end 
of  the  byre.  This  was  a  good-sized  red  animal,  with  planish  hind  quar- 
ters. Champion  of  England  was  never  kept  on  account  of  the  merits 
of  his  dam." 


AMOS    CRUICKSHANK    OF    SITTYTON"  591 

by  putting  him  in  high  condition  for  the  shows. 
Meantime  the  settled  policy  of  testing  the  best  bulls 
obtainable  from  contemporary  stocks  was  not  aban- 
doned. 

Windsor  Augustus  (19157).— The  selection  of  this 
roan  bull  represented  another  effort  on  the  part  of 
Messrs.  Cruickshank  to  utilize  Booth  blood.  Like 
the  previous  experiments,  however,  in  the  same  di- 
rection it  did  not  altogether  fulfill  expectations. 
Windsor  Augustus  was  bred  by  Mr.  Carr  and  sired 
by  Eichard  Booth's  Windsor  (14013).  He  had  been 
a  winner  at  the  leading  English  shows,  and  was  one 
of  the  highest-priced  bulls  ever  bought  for  service 
in  the  herd.  He  was  used  during  the  seasons  of  1863 
and  1864,  but  Amos  Cruickshank  never  liked  him 
and  did  not  retain  many  of  his  progeny.  He  left  a 
few  good  things,  nevertheless,  including  the  fine 
cow  Lovely  9th,  that  produced  to  Champion  of  Eng- 
land the  stock  bull  Lord  Lancaster  (26666). 

Forth  (17866).— This  famous  bull  was  taken  to 
Sittyton  in  1864  at  four  years  of  age  with  the  repu- 
tation of  being  ^'the  grandest  Short-horn  of  his 
time.''  He  was  a  light  roan,  possessing  great  scale 
and  substance,  bred  by  Sir  William  Sterling  Max- 
well of  Keir.  He  had  been  a  champion  show  bull  at 
leading  exhibitions  both  in  England  and  Scotland, 
and  while  some  doubt  was  felt  as  to  his  proving  a 
breeder  high  hopes  were  entertained  as  to  what  he 
would  accomplish  when  mated  with  the  ** crack'' 
cows  of  the  Sittyton  herd.    There  can  be  no  doubt 


592  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

that  he  was  individually  the  best  bull  ever  bought 
for  Sittyton.    His  portrait  will  be  found  in  Vol.  XVI 
of  Coates'  Herd  Book.    He  was  described  as  ^^a  re- 
markably fine  animal  on  a  large  scale,  having  length, 
breadth  and  depth  to  satisfy  the  most  fastidious  and 
was  extremely  good  tempered.    He  had  a  good  head, 
a  full,  placid  eye,  a  rich  coat  of  hair,  great  girth  of 
body,  with  ribs  arching  well  out  from  his  back.    His 
horns  were  somewhat  coarse.''    Forth  remained  in 
service  until  1870  and  notwithstanding  his  high  con- 
dition left  a  large  number  of  calves.    While  filling 
the  eye  much  more  perfectly  than  Champion  of  Eng- 
land he  did  not  approach  the  latter  as  a  sire.    Still 
he  left  some  good  stock,  among  others  the  cow  Vio- 
let's Forth,   that  was  imported   to   America  and 
shown  with  success  in  the  Western  States,  as  has 
already  been  noted.     It  was  the  exhibition  of  this 
cow  that  first  drew  prominent    attention    to    Mr. 
Cruickshank 's  breeding  in  the  United  States.  Vice- 
roy (32764),  by  Champion  of  England  out  of  Violet's 
Forth,  was  used  a  short  time  in  the  herd.    Another 
of  the  Forth  cows.  Anemone,  although  not  much  to 
look  at,  was  a  capital  breeder.    Two  sons  of  Forth 
bred  at  Sittyton,  Eoyal  Forth  (25022)   and  Julius 
Caesar  (26486),  had  a  trial  in  service  but  did  not 
give  satisfaction  and  were  sold.    One  of  the  best  of 
his  get.  Lord  Forth  (26649),  was  used  by  Mr.  Long- 
more  of  Eettie. 

Allan  (21172),  a  red  bull  bred  at  Keir  and  sired 
by  Forth  prior  to  his  purchase  for  Sittyton  out  of  a 


AMOS    CRUICKSHANK    OF    SITTYTOX  593 

COW  of  Kniglitley  blood,  was  bought  and  used  in  the 
herd  for  three  years  with  a  good  degree  of  success. 

Lord  Privy  Seal  (16444).  —  In  1865  Anthony 
Cruickshank  bought  at  a  sale  by  Lord  Kinnaird  the 
roan  bull  Lord  Privy  Seal.  He  was  bred  by  the  late 
Prince  Consort  at  Windsor  and  was  sired  by  the 
Booth  bull  Prince  Alfred  (13494)  out  of  Cowslip  by 
the  famous  show  bull  Belleville  (6778) .  He  was  then 
in  his  seventh  year,  having  been  taken  North  as  a 
yearling  and  bought  by  Lord  Kinnaird  in  1860.  All 
hands  at  Sittyton  w^ere  disappointed  in  the  bull  upon 
his  arrival.  He  lacked  size  as  well  as  flesh,  and  was 
not  extensively  used.  Like  most  of  his  predecessors, 
however,  he  left  a  few  good  calves,  such  as  the  bull 
Multum  in  Parvo  (26934),  and  the  cow  Victoria  41st, 
one  of  the  best  of  her  family  and  a  fine  breeder — the 
dam  of  the  bull  Ventriloquist  (44180). 

Prince  Alfred  (27107).— In  1871  Mr.  Pawlett 
offered  to  sell  to  Mr.  Cruickshank  Baron  Killerby 
(23364).  Amos  went  to  see  him,  but  was  more  favor- 
ably impressed  with  one  of  his  sons.  Prince  Alfred 
(27107),  and  wished  to  take  him  instead  of  the  sire. 
Being  unable  to  buy  the  young  bull  without  taking 
them  both,  he  closed  a  trade  for  the  pair  and  shipped 
them  to  Sittyton.  Baron  Killerby  was  then  six 
years  old  and  possessed  a  bad  temper.  He  was  too 
heavy  in  the  bone  to  suit  Mr.  Cruickshank,  and  was 
but  little  used.  Prince  Alfred  was  a  young  bull  of 
much  promise,  but,  as  luck  would  have  it,  foot-and- 
mouth  disease  appeared  in  the  herd  not  long  after 


594  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

his  purchase  and  he  succumbed  to  the  malady.  He 
was  the  only  animal  in  the  herd  that  was  lost.  This 
is  rather  a  surprising  fact  in  view  of  the  statement 
that  Prince  Alfred  is  said  to  have  been  of  robust  ap- 
pearance and  was  thought  to  have  capital  constitu- 
tion. While  no  opportunity  was  had  to  breed  any 
great  number  of  cows  to  him,  the  heifers  that  he  left 
in  the  herd  indicate  that  his  untimely  death  was  a 
severe  loss.  One  of  his  daughters,  Garnet,  proved 
the  ancestress  of  some  of  the  best  cows  in  the  herd 
during  its  later  years.  Another,  Alma,  sold  as  a 
yearling  to  Mr.  Mitchell,  "developed  most  wonder- 
fully and  expanded  into  one  of  the  largest  and 
grandest  cows  that  was  ever  seen,  with  immense 
loins  and  back  and  good  shoulders.  Indeed,  as  a 
show-yard  animal,  few  cows  ever  bred  at  Sittyton 
would  have  been  a  match  for  her.''  She  took  first 
prize  at  the  Highland  Show  of  1876,  the  cup  at  Aber- 
deen in  1879  as  best  breeding  animal  in  the  Short- 
horn class,  besides  many  other  honors. 

Other  outside  bulls. — Between  the  years  1866  and 
1877,  in  addition  to  Baron  Killerby  and  Prince  Al- 
fred, there  was  bought  and  tried  in  the  herd  the 
bulls  Bob  Boy  (22740),  Count  Bobert  (30812), 
Scotch  Bose  (25099) — out  of  the  famous  Bosedale; 
Knight  of  the  Whistle  (26558),  Master  Darlington 
(37067),  Meridian  (38748),  Bavenshope  (22681), 
and  General  Windsor  (28701).  None  of  these,  how- 
ever, gave  as  good  satisfaction  as  the  home-bred 
bulls  used  during  the  same  period. 


AMOS    CRUICKSHAXK    OF    SITTYTON  595 

Concentration  of  the  Champion  of  England  blood. 

— Writers  of  romance  after  following  the  fortunes  of 
their  heroes  and  heroines  through  various  trials  and 
tribulations  to  a  point  where  all  is  joy  and  rapture 
usually  dismiss  them  with  the  remark  that  ''they 
lived  happily  ever  after.''  It  may  almost  be  said 
of  Amos  Cruickshank  that  w^hen  he  produced  Cham- 
pion of  England,  after  twenty-five  years  of  conscien- 
tious work,  he  was  at  the  beginning  of  the  end  of  his 
troubles  as  a  Short-horn  breeder.  One  after  another 
of  the  sons  and  daughters  of  this,  the  greatest  stock 
bull  Scotland  has  ever  known,  grew  up  into  cattle 
of  the  real  rent-paying  sort.  Pages  might  be  filled 
with  the  names,  pedigrees  and  performances  of  his 
descendants  in  the  show-yards  and  breeding-pens  of 
Britain  and  America,  but  space  wall  not  here  per- 
mit. Such  cows  as  Village  Belle,  Village  Rose,  Prin- 
cess Royal,  Morning  Star,  British  Queen,  Carmine 
Rose,  Silvery,  Mimulus,  Surmise,  Circassia,  Violante, 
Finella  and  Victorine  would  alone  suffice  to  make 
the  reputation  of  the  most  ambitious  breeder.  Xot 
only  were  these  and  other  of  the  best  of  the  Cham- 
pion's heifers  retained  for  breeding  purposes,  but 
his  bulls  were  given  a  trial  along  with  sires  obtained 
from  other  herds. 

It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  in  resorting  to  bulls 
of  his  own  breeding  Mr.  Cruickshank  was  contra- 
vening what  had  been  almost  universal  practice  in 
Scotland.  It  is  generally  believed  by  those  most 
familiar  with  his  work  that  if  he  had  begun  placing 


596  A  HISTOKY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

his  own  bulls  in  service  many  years  earlier  he  would 
have  more  quickly  realized  his  ambitions.  It  seems 
clear  that  the  grand  roan  bull  Lord  Sackville 
(13249),  mentioned  on  page  580,  might  have  filled 
the  place  later  held  by  Champion  of  England  had  he 
been  given  the  opportunity;  for  he  possessed  such 
grand  constitution,  substance  and  quality,  and  with 
his  limited  opportunity  w^rought  such  an  improve- 
ment on  the  Secrets  and  a  few  other  Sittyton  sorts 
that  he  would  doubtless  have  made  a  great  reputa- 
tion had  he  been  more  freely  used.  Longmore  of 
Rettie  is  generally  credited  with  having  been  the 
first  of  the  North  of  Scotland  breeders  to  place 
home-bred  bulls  in  service.  He  was  a  man  of  rare 
intelligence,  and  although  his  herd  was  small  as 
compared  with  that  at  Sittyton  he  met  with  marked 
success  by  his  departure  from  the  then  prevailing 
usage,  his  stock  possessing  unusual  size,  flesh  and 
real  show-yard  character.  Experience  had  now 
taught  Mr.  Cruickshank  the  uncertainties  attending 
the  use  of  even  the  best  individual  bulls  acquired 
from  various  sources  and  representing  many  diverse 
elements.  With  his  usual  caution  he  felt  his  way 
slowly  at  first  with  the  Champion  of  England  bulls, 
but  when  once  convinced  that  he  was  on  the  right 
track  he  pursued  his  plan  to  the  end. 

Among  the  bulls  chosen  for  the  purpose  of  con- 
centrating this  blood  may  be  mentioned  the  roan 
Caractacus  (19397),  a  winner  of  challenge  cups  at 
Aberdeen  and  Perth,  that  was  calved  in  1862  by 


AMOS    CKUICKSHANK    OF    SITTYTOX  597 

Nonpareil  20tli,  a  daughter  of  The  Baron;  the  roan 
Grand  Monarque  (21867),  calved  in  1863  by  Violet 
by  Lord  Bathurst;  the  roan  Royal  Oak  (22792), 
dropped  in  1864  by  Oakleaf  by  The  Baron;  the  red 
Prince  Imperial  (22595),  calved  in  1864  by  Candia 
by  The  Baron;  the  red  Lord  Byron  (24363),  dropped 
in  1865  by  Butterfly  by  Matadore;  the  red  Caesar 
Augustus  (25704),  calved  in  1867  by  Emily,  daugh- 
ter of  Lord  Sackville;  the  roan  Grand  Duke  of  Glos- 
ter  (26288),  dropped  in  1868  by  9th  Duchess  of  Glos- 
ter,  daughter  of  Lord  Eagian;  the  roan  Lord  Lan- 
caster (26666),  of  the  crop  of  1868,  dropped  by 
Lovely  9th  by  Windsor  Augustus;  the  roan  Master 
of  Arts  (26867),  dropped  same  year  by  The  Gem  by 
Lord  Eagian;  and  the  roan  Viceroy  (32764),  calved 
in  1871  by  Violet's  Forth,  afterward  a  noted  show 
cow  in  America. 

It  does  not  appear  that  the  bulls  from  cows  by 
The  Baron  made  any  special  impression  on  the  herd. 
Those  representing  the  cross  of  Champion  of  Eng- 
land upon  cows  carrying  the  blood  of  Lord  Eagian, 
Lord  Sackville  and  Lord  Bathurst,  including  Grand 
Monarque,  Caesar  Augustus  and  Grand  Duke  of 
Gloster,  were  potent  factors  in  bringing  the  herd  to 
its  best  estate. 

Scotland's  Pride  and  Pride  of  the  Isles. — Scot- 
land's Pride,  calved  in  1866,  was  sired  by  Grand 
Monarque  out  of  Lovely  8th,  a  cow  that  belonged  to 
a  tribe  much  esteemed  in  the  North.  His  sire,  like 
many  other  of  the  sons  of  Champion  of  England,  did 


598  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOE X   CATTLE 

not  have  a  head  entirely  to  Mr.  Cruickshank's  lik- 
ing. This  was  a  characteristic  doubtless  inherited 
from  old  Lancaster  Comet,  and  on  account  of  the 
clamor  about  his  head  and  horns  Grand  Monarque 
was  sacrificed  before  his  real  value  as  a  stock-getter, 
as  illustrated  in  Scotland 's  Pride,  was  fully  realized. 
The  latter  was  a  stylish,  deep-fleshed  roan,  winning 
first  prize  as  a  yearling  at  the  Highland  in  1867  and 
a  $250  Challenge  Cup  same  year.  He  proved  one  of 
the  best  sires  ever  bred  at  Sittyton;  one  of  his  sons, 
the  roan  prize  bull  Pride  of  the  Isles  (35072)  from 
Golden  Days  by  Lord  Eaglan,  calved  in  1872,  acquir- 
ing great  celebrity.  Speaking  of  this  valuable  bull 
Mr.  Edward  Cruickshank  says:  "I  do  not  think 
that  Pride  of  the  Isles  ever  had  his  merit  fairly  rec- 
ognized- He  was  a  grand  animal  himself,  and  his 
young  stock  looked  well;  but  as  cows  they  were  such 
good  milkers  that  they  were  never  much  to  look  at, 
although  good  breeders. '  ^  An  own  brother  to  Pride 
of  the  Isles,  known  as  Lord  of  the  Isles,  was  also 
used  in  the  herd.  They  were  of  the  Brawith  Bud  or 
Pure  Gold  tribe. 

Caesar  Augustus. — This  good  red  bull,  calved  in 
1867,  joined  the  blood  of  the  two  grand  bulls  Cham- 
pion of  England  and  Lord  Sackville,  and  became  one 
of  the  most  valuable  sires  and  show  bulls  used  in  the 
herd.  He  was  exhibited  with  great  success,  and 
some  of  his  daughters  proved  among  the  most  valu- 
able breeding  cows  owned  at  Sittyton,  among  them 
being  Azalea,  the  dam  of  Field  Marshal. 


AMOS    CKUICKSHANK    OF    SITTYTON  599 

Royal  Duke  of  Gloster. — This  remarkably  success- 
ful stock  bull,  a  red,  calved  in  1870,  was  got  by 
Grand  Duke  of  Gloster  out  of  Mimulus,  a  good  cow. 
descending  in  the  maternal  line  from  the  stock  of 
Eennie  of  Phantassie.  He  represented  the  strongest 
concentration  of  blood  Mr.  Cruickshank  had  up  to 
that  date  used;  both  his  sire  and  dam  having  been 
got  by  Champion  of  England  out  of  Lord  Raglan 
cows.  As  the  sire  of  Roan  Gauntlet  and  of  the  dam 
of  Cumberland  Royal  Duke  of  Gloster  acquired  high 
rank  in  the  great  galaxy  of  Sittyton  bulls.  His  sire. 
Grand  Duke  of  Gloster,  was  considered  the  best  of 
all  of  the  sons  of  Champion  of  England ;  inheriting 
in  a  remarkable  degree  his  robust  constitution,  thrift 
and  thickness  of  flesh.  Unfortunately  the  Grand 
Duke  met  with  an  accident  which  resulted  in  his 
death  as  a  two-year-old. 

Roan  Gauntlet. — The  mating  of  the  inbred  Royal 
Duke  of  Gloster  with  the  Champion  of  England  cow 
Princess  Royal  resulted  in  the  production  in  1873 
of  the  most  famous  of  all  the  latter-day  Sittyton 
stock  bulls,  Roan  Gauntlet  (35284). 

This  was  certainly  subjecting  the  Champion  of 
England  blood  to  a  searching  test,  and  as  Roan 
Gauntlet  proved  one  of  the  greatest  sires  of  his  day 
Mr.  Cruickshank 's  judgment  found  in  his  case  ample 
vindication.  Some  of  the  objectionable  features  of 
old  Lancaster  Comet's  head  were  visible  in  Roan 
Gauntlet,  but  the  outstanding  excellence  of  his  prog- 
eny furnished  fresh  proof  of  the  fact  that  it  is  a 


600 


A  HISTOKY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 


mi,stake  to  discard  an  otherwise  remarkable  bull  for 
a  minor  defect  of  that  nature.  Among  other  extra- 
ordinary animals  begotten  by  Eoan  Gauntlet  may 
be  named  the  renowned  Field  Marshal  (47870) — the 
sire  of  Mario  (51713)  and  the  good  stock  bull  Baron 
Violet  (47444),  used  at  Sittyton.  A  glance  at  the 
subjoined  tabulation  will  be  of  interest: 

(Champion  of  England 

(17526). 
<  9th  Duchess  of   Glos- 
ter,   by   Lord   Rag- 
l      Ian    (13244). 


fGrand  Duke  of  Glos- 
ter  (26288). 


Royal  Duke  of  Gloster 
(29864). 


.Mimulus. 


I- Princess  Royal. 


CChQ,mpion  of  England 
J  (17526). 

I  Mistletoe,  by  Lord 
[      Raglan    (13244). 

{Lancaster    Comet 
(11663). 
Virtue,  by  P.lantage- 
net    (11906). 


fTheCzar  (20947). 
.Carmine.  s  Cressida,  by 

I     John  Bull  (11618). 

Barmpton. — Whatever  may  be  the  relative  rank 
assigned  to  the  latter-day  Cruickshank  bulls  in  their 
own  country  American  breeders  will  always  set  a 
high  value  upon  the  red  Barmpton  (37763).  He  was 
another  son  of  Royal  Duke  of  Gloster  that  was  drop- 
ped in  1875  by  the  good  cow  Barmpton 's  Flower  (of 
the  Towneley  Butterfly  line),  a  daughter  of  Allan 
(21172),  son  of  the  great  Forth.  If  Barmpton  had 
done  nothing  more  than  sire  Baron  Victor  (45944)  so 
celebrated  in  the  Linwood  Herd  of  Col.  W.  A.  Harris 
of  Kansas,  he  would  still  be  entitled  to  the  recogni- 
tion here  accorded. 

Cumberland. — One  of  the  bulls  most  extensively 
used  after  Roan  Gauntlet  was  Cumberland  (46144), 


AMOS    CKUICKSHAXK    OF    SITTYTON 


601 


a  massive  roan  that  was  calved  in  1880  and  main- 
tained steadily  in  service  for  a  period  of  eight  years. 
He  was  described  as  ' '  short  in  the  leg,  deep  and  long 
in  the  body,  with  an  excellent  head,  full,  wide  chest, 
well-laid  shoulders,  strong  loins,  well-sprung  ribs, 
with  such  a  cover  of  lean  flesh  as  is  rarely  met  with.  ^ ' 
As  will  be  observed  from  the  following  tabulation 
Cumberland's  dam,  the  fine  cow  Custard  of  the  Clip- 
per tribe,  was  own  sister  in  blood  to  Roan  Gauntlet, 
so  that  his  selection  for  service  resulted  in  still  fur- 
ther intensifying  Mr.  Cruickshank 's  favorite  blood: 


Q 
'A    . 


r  Pride  of  the 
Isles  (35072), 


Custard. 


r  Scotland's  Pride 
J  (25100). 

l  Golden  Days. 


r Grand  Monarque  (21867), 
J  by  Champion  of  England, 
[Lovely  8th. 

jLord  Raglan  (13244). 
(  Pure  Gold. 

rGrand  Duke  of  Gloster 
Royal  Duke  of  Gloster      .       ^,       (26288), 

/oooc<^  ^  ^y  Champion  of  England. 

(29864).  Mimulus, 

Lby  Champion  of  England. 


.Princess  Royal. 


{Champion  of  England 

I  {11526). 

1  Carmine, 

Lby  The  Czar  (20947). 


There  is  not  in  Short-horn  history  a  record  of 
greater  success  attained  in  the  production  of  valua- 
ble cattle  for  practical  farm  and  feed-lot  purposes 
than  that  which  attended  the  breeding  operations  at 
Sittyton  after  the  practice  of  using  only  home-bred 
bulls  was  adopted.  The  herd  began  at  once  to  take 
on  a  uniformity  in  essential  points  which  it  had  not 
hitherto  possessed,  and  the  further  the  concentration 
of  blood  was  carried — up  to  a  certain  point — the  bet- 
ter the  results.    The  fruit  of  Mr,  Cruickshank 's  ap- 


602  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-pORN   CATTLE 

peal  to  the  practice  of  inbreeding  was  the  establish- 
ment of  a  well-fixed  type  of  short-legged,  broad- 
ribbed,  thick-fleshed  cattle  feeding  to  satisfactory 
weights  at  an  early  age ;  and  the  same  concentration 
of  blood  that  served  to  fix  these  desirable  character- 
istics insured  the  prepotency  of  the  stock  for  repro- 
ductive purposes.  The  herd  became  the  fountain 
head  of  Short-horn  breeding  in  the  North.  The 
Sittyton  bulls  became  the  standard  sires  of  Scotland. 
The  value  of  the  service  the  Messrs.  Cruickshank 
had  rendered  was  now  universally  conceded  in  their 
native  land  and  leading  American  breeders  gladly 
availed  themselves  of  the  privilege  of  selecting  stock 
bulls  from  this  premier  Aberdeenshire  herd. 

The  closing  years  at  Sittyton  will  form  the  subject 
of  further  reference, 


CHAPTER  XX 
OTHER  NORTH  COUNTRY  HERDS 

The  constructive  work  carried  out  to  such  extraor- 
dinary success  at  Sittyton  was  destined  to  exert  an 
influence  over  the  breed  on  both  sides  the  Atlantic 
as  far-reaching  as  it  was  beneficent.  There  were 
none  to  dispute  the  supremacy  of  Sittyton  in  the 
North.  It  was  the  source  from  whence  nearly  all  the 
breeders  of  Aberdeenshire  and  adjacent  counties 
drew  their  best  material  as  well  as  their  inspiration. 
While  Amos  Cruickshank  must  therefore  be  called 
the  real  leader  of  the  line  of  Short-horn  progression 
in  Scotland,  passing  notice  should  be  taken  of  the 
work  of  some  of  his  contemporaries. 

To  review  the  operations  in  detail  of  all  those  who 
contributed  largely  to  the  upbuilding  of  the  Short- 
horn interest  in  the  North  would  require  more  space 
than  can  here  be  given.  Indeed,  we  cannot  under- 
take to  list  in  full  their  names.  Coates'  Herd  Book 
must  be  consulted  by  those  who  wish  to  delve  deeply 
into  the  subject.  We  should,  however,  give  a  place 
in  this  record  to  the  names  of  Gen.  Simson  of  Fife- 
shire,  Douglas  of  Athelstaneford,  Barclay  of  Keavil, 
the  Duke  of  Richmond,  the  Earl  of  Montrose,  Lord 
Lovat  of  Beaufort,  Sir  William  Sterling  Maxwell  of 
Kier,  Longmore  of  Rettie,  Mark  Stewart  of  South- 

603 


604  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

wick,  the  Bruces  of  Inverquliomery  and  Burnside, 
Syme  of  Eed  Kirk,  Mitchell  of  Alloa,  Sylvester 
Campbell  of  Kinellar,  William  S.  Marr  of  Uppermill, 
John  W.  and  Edward  Cruickshank  of  Lethenty,  and 
Duthie  of  Collynie.  While  we  need  not  undertake  a 
detailed  account  of  the  operations  of  these  and  other 
leading  breeders  of  that  time  it  seems  essential  to  a 
correct  understanding  of  the  career  of  the  Scotch- 
bred  Short-horns  in  America  that  some  facts  be  fur- 
nished relating  especially  to  the  herds  at  Athelstane- 
ford,  Kinellar,  Uppermill,  Lethenty  and  Collynie. 

Douglas  of  Athelstaneford. — A  herd  that  was  in 
every  way  worthy  of  the  district  that  had  been  the 
home  of  Rennie  of  Phantassie  was  begun  about  1842 
by  Mr.  James  Douglas,  an  enterprising  tenant  farm- 
er at  Athelstaneford  (locally  called  ^^Elshinford") 
in  East  Lothian.  Douglas  was  ambitious  from  the 
first  for  show-yard  honors,  and  as  a  competitor  at  the 
great  exhibitions  of  the  United  Kingdom,  as  well  as 
at  the  Paris  Exposition  of  1856,  he  met  with  a  brim- 
ming measure  of  success.  The  herd  was  begun  about 
1842,  but  it  was  not  until  the  Newcastle  Royal  of 
1846  that  he  made  notable  purchases.  The  famous 
show  bull  Belleville  (6778)  was  then  at  the  height  of 
his  reputation,  and  several  of  his  daughters  were 
purchased.  One  of  these,  the  roan  Queen  of  Trumps, 
bred  by  Mr.  Unthank,  was  one  of  the  greatest  prize- 
winners of  her  time.  She  was  bought  for  shipment 
to  America  at  a  high  price  by  Mr.  Barrett  of  Ken- 
tucky, but  was  lost  at  sea. 


OTHER    NOETH    COUNTRY    HERDS  605 

In  1852  a  sale  was  made  which  included  practi- 
cally the  entire  original  herd.  Reservation  was 
made,  however,  of  the  celebrated  Mantalini  show 
cow  Rose  of  Summer,  by  Velvet  Jacket  (10998), 
Scottish  Blue  Belle  and  a  few  others  of  special  ex- 
cellence. At  this  sale  Rose  of  Summer's  dam.  Rose 
of  Autumn,  together  with  Brenda  (then  carrying 
Lord  Raglan,  by  Crusade)  were  bought  by  Mark 
Stewart  of  Southwnck.  Subsequently  Lord  Raglan 
was  bought  back,  together  with  Rose  of  Sharon,  a 
daughter  of  Rose  of  Autumn,  and  the  four  fine  heif- 
ers Hawthorne  Blossom,  Heather  Belle,  Cherry 
Queen  and  Imperial  Cherry,  a  quartette  that  cost  600 
guineas.  Prior  to  the  sale  the  Athelstaneford  cattle 
had  won  some  sixty  prizes  at  leading  show^s,  and  the 
second  herd,  w-ith  Rose  of  Summer  and  Scottish  Blue 
Belle  as  its  trump  cards,  inaugurated  another  cam- 
paign that  was  even  more  successful.  Scottish  Blue 
Belle  was  ultimately  sold  to  Mr.  R.  G.  Corwine  of 
Lebanon,  0.,  and  brought  to  the  United  States.  Kil- 
lerby  and  Warlaby  were  then  drawn  upon  for  fe- 
males. The  sum  of  500  guineas  was  offered  Richard 
Booth  in  vain  for  Charity,  and  a  550-guinea  bid  for 
Nectarine  Blossom  was  also  declined.  Mr.  Douglas 
secured,  nevertheless.  Birthright,  a  granddaughter 
of  Bracelet,  Isabella  Hopewell  and  Venus  de 
Medicis. 

Douglas  scored  a  great  success  with  the  roan  bull 
Captain  Balco  (12546)  of  Ambler's  breeding.  He 
stood  next  to  Towneley's  undefeated  Master  Butter- 


606  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

fly  at  the  Royal  Dublin,  and  after  being  used  for  a 
time  in  the  herd  was  sold  along  with  Hawthorne 
Blossom  and  a  lot  aggregating  some  twenty  head  to 
the  Shakers  of  Ohio.  The  Booth-bred  bull  Hymen 
(13058),  of  Bolden's  breeding,  out  of  Bridecake,  was 
next  bought  and  fitted  as  a  member  of  the  herd  sent 
for  exhibition  at  Paris  in  1856,  at  which  show  he  was 
sold  to  M.  de  Trehonnais  for  200  guineas.  Bates 
blood  was  acquired  by  the  purchase  of  the  cow  Play- 
ful, by  4th  Duke  of  York.  Some  of  Troutbeck's 
Gwynnes  were  also  secured.  A  son  of  Captain  Balco, 
called  Sir  James  the  Rose  (15290),  out  of  Rose  of 
Summer,  succeeded  his  sire  at  the  head  of  the  herd 
and  proved  a  capital  stock-getter.  Rose  of  Summer 
and  her  descendants  were  of  a  remarkably  thick- 
fleshed,  neat-boned,  blocky,  short-legged,  squarely- 
built  sort;  and  such  cattle  as  Rose  of  Athelstane, 
Maid  of  Athelstane,  Lady  of  Athelstane,  Queen  of 
Athelstane,  Pride  of  Athelstane  and  Crown  Prince 
of  Athelstane  constituted  a  collection  that  has  rarely 
been  excelled  in  any  herd  on  either  side  the  water. 

In  1864  the  late  Hon.  David  Christie  of  Canada 
bought  and  imported  a  number  of  the  best  cattle  of 
the  Douglas  herd  and  they  exerted  a  great  influence 
for  good  on  this  side  the  Atlantic.  We  believe  that 
this  sale  to  Mr.  Christie  practically  closed  the  opera- 
tions of  Mr.  Douglas  as  a  breeder  of  Short-horns. 
Further  reference  to  the  importation  just  mentioned 
will  be  made  in  a  subsequent  chapter. 

Campbell  of  Kinellar. — Although  not  one  of  the 


OTHER    NORTH    COUNTRY    HERDS  607 

earliest  the  herd  of  the  late  Sylvester  Campbell  was 
one  of  the  best  in  Aberdeenshire.  Founded  in  the 
year  1847  by  the  purchase  of  a  pair  of  heifer  calves 
at  Barclay  of  Ury's  sale,  one  costing  20  guineas  and 
the  other  9,  the  Campbell  herd  affords  a  striking 
illustration  of  what  an  intelligent  farmer  can  accom- 
plish from  a  modest  beginning.  Situated  about  nine 
miles  northwest  of  the  city  of  Aberdeen,  located  in  a 
district  noted  for  its  fine  farms  and  known  locally  as 
' '  the  Howe  of  the  Garioch,  ^  ^  the  farm  of  Kinellar,  of 
which  Mr.  Campbell  was  tenant,  lies  in  the  valley  of 
the  Eiver  Don.  Jamieson  says :  ^  ^  The  scenery  here 
is  picturesque  and  beautiful.  The  winding  river,  a 
fine  salmon  stream,  is  flanked  by  wooded  heights, 
with  some  handsome  villas  nestling  here  and  there 
among  the  trees.  At  times  the  valley  narrows  be- 
tween rugged  w^oody  banks  and  then  widens  out 
again  into  broad,  fertile  meadows — haughs,  as  they 
are  called  in  Scotland — where  the  fat  sheep  browse 
and  the  cattle  doze  away  their  time  in  sleepy  satis- 
faction among  the  buttercups  and  clover.  A  sweet 
spot  it  is  in  sunny  days  of  June  when  the  sky  is  with- 
out a  cloud  and  the  skylarks  are  fluttering  and  sing- 
ing over  the  grassy  fields.  The  farm  lies  among  the 
banks  and  braes  that  slope  up  from  the  river  and 
consists  for  the  most  part  of  good  loamy  soil,  laid 
off  in  square  fields,  inclosed  by  massive  stone 
dykes. '^ 

The  foundation  heifers  above  mentioned  were  both 
sired  by  The  Pacha  (7612) — the  grandson  of  Ma- 


608  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

son's  Lady  Sarah  heretofore  referred  to — and  were 
known  as  Isabella  and  Susannah.  From  the  20- 
guinea  heifer,  Isabella,  Mr.  Campbell  derived  two 
good  families,  known  as  the  Urys  and  Clarets.  He 
seems  to  have  proceeded  leisurely  in  his  cattle-breed 
ing  and  at  first  bred  his  cows  and  heifers  to  sires  in 
service  on  neighboring  farms,  among  them  being 
Fairfax  Hero  (9106),  Vice-President  (11002)  and 
Unrivaled  (13926) — all  bred  at  Sittyton  and  two  of 
them  sons  of  that  capital  bull  Fairfax  Royal  (6987). 
In  1854  he  bought  from  Mr.  Whitehead  of  Little 
Methlick  the  cow  Crocus,  a  granddaughter  of  a 
Pacha  heifer  that  had  been  bought  at  Ury  in  1847. 

The  Nonpareils,  Miss  Ramsdens  and  Golden 
Drops. — The  big,  massive  Thalia  came  to  Kinellar 
in  1857  from  Longmore  of  Eettie  and  a  few  years 
later  Nonpareil  24th,  by  Lord  Sackville,  was  got 
from  the  Messrs.  Cruickshank.  From  the  latter 
came  the  famous  Kinellar  Nonpareils.  The  origi- 
nal cow  of  this  tribe  had  been  brought  to  Scotland 
from  the  herd  of  Mr.  Cartwright  of  Tathwell  on  the 
Lincolnshire  wolds,  in  whose  hands  the  sort  had  been 
greatly  esteemed.  Indeed,  the  first  Nonpareil,  a 
roan  cow  sired  by  the  white  bull  Tathwell  Studley 
(5401),  carrying  considerable  infusions  of  the  blood 
of  the  $5,000  Comet,  proved  useful  until  seventeen 
years  of  age.  Another  one  of  the  Kinellar  matrons 
was  Miss  Ramsden,  bred  by  Sir  J.  Ramsden,  and 
taken  to  Scotland  by  Mr.  Jopp,  from  whom  she  was 
purchased  by  Mr.   Campbell.     Another  cow   that 


OTHEE   NORTH    COUXTEY    HEEDS  609 

proved  a  good  investment  was  Maid  of  Promise, 
obtained  from  Mr.  Benton  in  Alford.  From  her  was 
descended  probably  the  best  cow  ever  seen  in  the 
Kinellar  pastures,  Maid  of  Promise  6th,  that  won 
the  challenge  cup  at  Aberdeen  some  years  ago  as  the 
best  Short-horn  of  either  sex  on  exhibition.  Thes- 
salonica,  that  gave  rise  to  the  beautiful  Kinellar 
Golden  Drops,  was  dropped  by  Jewess,  a  cow  bought 
from  Mr.  Harvey  of  Tillygreig,  in  calf  to  Duke  of 
Clarence  (9040),  a  fine  white  bull  bred  by  Wetherell 
and  illustrated  in  the  eighth  volume  of  Coates'  Herd 
Book.  Another  purchase  that  proved  fruitful  was 
the  cow  Ruby  Hill,  by  Elphinstone  (14492),  that  was 
bred  by  Messrs.  Smith,  Hillhead  of  Nairn. 

Early  Kinellar  sires. — For  some  years  the  herd 
of  Messrs.  Cruickshank  was  resorted  to  for  sires. 
Mr.  Campbell  was  remarkably  fortunate,  or,  perhaps 
we  should  say,  exercised  extraordinary  judgment  in 
selecting  young  bulls  at  Sittyton.  Mosstrooper 
(11827),  Beeswing  (12456),  Scarlet  Velvet  (16916), 
and  Diphthong  (17681)  proved  exceptional  stock- 
getters.  The  two  latter  were  sent  into  the  leading 
showyards  of  the  North  in  1862  and  1863  and  over- 
came all  opposition.  Indeed,  the  use  and  exhibition 
of  these  bulls  was  an  important  factor  in  building  up 
the  reputation  of  the  Sittyton  stock.  Of  Cruick- 
shank breeding  also  was  the  handsome  bull  known 
as  The  Garioch  Boy  (15384),  bought  by  Mr.  Camp- 
bell at  a  high  price,  but  lost  soon  afterward.  Bee- 
swing was  a  red,  sired  by  Matadore  (11800),  tracing 


610  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOBN   CATTLE 

on  the  dam's  side  through  Venus  and  Dairymaid  to 
the  stock  of  Eennie  of  Phantassie.  He  left  at  Kinel- 
lar  a  lot  of  useful,  deep-bodied  cows;  and  when  these 
were  crossed  with  the  stylish  show  bull  Scarlet  Vel- 
vet the  progeny  proved  among  the  best  Short-horns 
of  their  day.  Scarlet  Velvet  was  a  red,  sired  by  The 
Baron  (13833)  out  of  Verdure  of  Plantagenet 
(11906),  running  to  the  cow  Tranquil  by  Barclay's 
Billy  (3151).  He  was  sold  to  go  into  Morayshire. 
Diphthong,  another  red  ' '  with  a  curious  mark  like  a 
tapeline  around  his  left  fore  ribs, ' '  was  a  thick,  good 
bull  by  Lord  Stanley  (16454)  out  of  a  daughter  of 
Fancy,  also  by  Billy  (3151),  and  had  a  brilliant 
career  at  the  Scottish  national  shows. 

Booth  cross  disappointing. — So  great  had  been  the 
success  of  the  use  of  these  Sittyton  bulls  that  Kinel- 
lar  began  to  take  rank  as  a  rival  of  the  Cruickshank 
herd  itself,  then  the  most  famous  in  all  Scotland,  and 
Campbell  thought  to  emphasize  his  independence  by 
turning  elsewhere  for  his  herd  bulls.  From  1863  to 
1877  he  went  South  for  his  sires  and  bought  bulls 
largely  of  Booth  blood.  Probably  the  most  noted  of 
these  was  Prince  of  Worcester  (20597),  that  had 
been  a  Eoyal  winner  as  a  yearling  and  a  champion 
as  an  aged  bull  at  Aberdeen.  He  also  had  Sir  Chris- 
topher (22895),  bred  by  Richard  Booth,  but  notwith- 
standing the  enterprise  he  had  displayed  in  this  re- 
gard the  results  were  disappointing,  and  in  the  later 
years  of  his  breeding  operations  he  returned  to  his 
first  love  and  in  large  measure  restored  the  useful- 


OTHER    XORTH    COUXTRY    HERDS  611 

ness  of  his  stock  by  breeding  from  such  Cruickshank 
bulls  as  Vermont  and  Gravesend.  The  latter  in  par- 
ticular did  excellent  service,  acquiring  distinction  as 
a  heifer-getter,  and  afterward  passed  into  the  pos- 
session of  William  Duthie  of  Collynie. 

Mr.  Campbell  died  in  1891,  and  the  herd  was  final- 
ly dispersed  in  1897.  The  proprietor  had  been  high- 
ly respected  throughout  the  entire  North  Country 
and  the  sale  drew  out  a  large  attendance.  Although 
prices  at  that  time  were  not  at  their  present  range, 
the  heifers  by  Gravesend  and  Eoyal  James  were 
greatly  admired  and  averaged  over  £42  each.  Lord 
Eoseberry,  Mr.  Duthie  and  Fletcher  of  Eosehaugh 
bought  a  number  of  the  best  lots.  A  few  went  into 
Yorkshire,  and  the  bull  Eoyal  James  to  Lincoln. 
Mr.  Duthie  says:  "The  Kinellar  cattle  were  noted 
for  their  substance,  and  the  cows  generally  were 
heavy  milkers. ' ' 

The  Kinellar  Short-horns  are  best  known  in  Amer- 
ica through  the  fine  family  of  Golden  Drops,  de- 
scending from  the  cow  Thessalonica  already  men- 
tioned. The  sort  was  introduced  on  this  side  by 
Messrs.  Geo.  Isaac  and  J.  S.  Thompson  of  Canada. 
In  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Avery  &  Murphy,  Col.  Hollo- 
way,  Messrs.  A.  H.  &  I.  B.  Day  and  others  they  sold 
at  strong  prices  and  made  an  enviable  show-yard 
and  breeding  record.  Subsequently  they  acquired 
additional  fame  as  perhaps  the  best  family  in  the 
Linwood  herd  of  Col.  W.  A.  Harris.  Some  of  the 
Miss  Eamsdens  and  Nonpareils  were  also  imported 


612  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

into  the  West  and  proved  good  breeders  as  well  as 
successful  show  animals. 

Maxr  of  Uppermill. — The  late  William  S.  Marr, 
one  of  the  most  eminent  of  all  the  Aberdeenshire 
breeders  of  Short-horns,  entered  upon  the  farm  of 
Uppermill  in  1833.  It  is  situated  in  the  same  district 
as  Sittyton,  Shethin,  Collynie  and  other  noted  nur- 
series of  North-Country  stock.  Mr.  Marr  was  twen- 
ty-two years  of  age  at  the  time  he  took  the  lease  of 
Uppermill,  which  was  at  that  time  in  a  very  rough 
state.  Much  of  the  land  had  to  be  reclaimed  at  great 
expense,  and  it  was  not  until  about  1851  that  he  was 
able  to  turn  his  attention  to  Short-horns.  His  first 
purchases  were  made  in  the  North  of  England,  but 
with  one  notable  exception  the  original  investment 
proved  altogether  unsatisfactory;  the  cattle  doing 
no  good  under  the  conditions  to  which  they  were 
subjected  in  their  new  home. 

The  Maudes. — The  ancestress  of  this  Uppermill 
tribe  was  the  fine  cow  Maude  that  constituted  the 
exception  just  mentioned.  She  belonged  to  a  family 
that  had  been  bred  by  Mr.  Thomas  Chrisp  of  North- 
umberland, who  had  obtained  the  sort  from  the  herd 
of  Mr.  Jopling.  The  foundation  dam,  Duchess  of  St. 
Albans,  had  a  double  cross  of  the  Princess  bull  St. 
Albans  (2584).  The  present  proprietor  at  Upper- 
mill  says:  "My  father  used  to  tell  me  that  Maude 
was  a  very  fine  cow  and  a  grand  milker. ' '  Crossed 
with  such  bulls  as  Heir  of  Englishman  (24122)  and 
Cherub  4th  (33359),  both  of  Lord  Sudeley's  Sera- 


OTHER    NORTH    COUNTRY    HERDS  613 

phina  sort,  the  Maudes  developed  into  one  of  the 
strongest  of  Mr.  Marr's  tribes. 

The  Missies. — This  celebrated  Scottish  family 
originated  in  the  hands  of  Capt.  Barclay  of  Ury.  The 
primal  cow  of  this  name  was  bred  by  Mr.  A.  Mori- 
>son  from  Countess  of  Ury  blood,  and  was  obtained 
by  Mr.  Marr  about  1854.  She  was  considered  an 
extraordinary  animal,  possessing  great  substance 
and  wealth  of  flesh.  The  earlier  Missies  were  sired 
by  such  bulls  as  Augustus  (15598),  Lord  of  Lome 
(18258),  Young  Pacha  (20457),  and  Macduff 
(26773) ;  and  in  later  years  the  sort  was  brought  to 
a  high  degree  of  perfection  by  the  use  of  Seraphina 
and  Sittyton  bulls.  The  tribe  not  only  proved  pro- 
lific, but  steadily  improved  in  merit  until  acknowl- 
edged on  both  sides  the  Atlantic  as  one  of  the  best 
of  all  Scotch  Short-horn  families.  Indeed,  it  is 
doubtful  if  any  other  one  sort  has  done  more  for  the 
good  of  the  breed  in  the  North  of  Scotland,  or  has 
produced  more  noted  prize-winners.  During  the 
*^ seventies"  the  late  Mr.  Marr  showed  cattle  of  this 
family  with  great  success;  conspicuous  among  the 
winners  being  the  bull  Young  Englishman  (31113), 
got  by  Heir  of  Englishman  out  of  Missie  19th.  He 
was  calved  in  1871  and  was  first  and  champion  at  the 
leading  shows  for  three  successive  years,  besides 
leaving  many  good  sons  and  beautiful  daughters  at 
Uppermill.  Li  recent  years  Mountaineer  (63027),  a 
Missie  bull  of  Mr.  Marr^s  breeding,  was  shown  with 
success  in  th*e  herd  of  Messrs.  Wright  of  Lincoln- 


614  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

shire,  Eng.  Miranda,  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Deane 
Willis,  and  the  Royal  champion  Marengo,  owned  by 
Mr.  Philo  L.  Mills  of  Nottinghamshire,  have  brought 
additional  honor  to  the  tribe.  Mr.  Duthie  has  incor- 
porated the  sort  into  his  famous  herd  at  Collynie, 
and  such  cows  as  Missie  141st,  by  William  of  Or- 
ange, and  Missie  I50th,  by  Dauntless,  now  at  Upper- 
mill,  afford  capital  illustration  of  the  manner  in 
which  the  blood  breeds  on. 

The  Princess  Royals. — This  sort  and  the  Missies 
constitute  the  two  largest  families  now  at  Uppermill, 
there  being  about  twenty  females  of  each.  The 
Princess  Royals  trace  their  descent  in  the  maternal 
line  to  the  herd  of  Mr.  Hay  of  Shethin.  They  have 
responded  well  to  the  use  of  Cruickshank  bulls,  dis- 
playing good  constitution,  great  wealth  of  flesh, 
broad  ribs  and  strong  loins.  Many  good  specimens 
both  of  the  Princess  Royals  and  the  Missies  have 
been  imported  to  the  United  States  and  Canada  dur- 
ing the  past  twenty  years. 

The  Alexandrinas. — This  tribe  is  of  the  same 
origin  as  the  Sittyton  Crocus  sort,  both  descending 
from  the  herd  of  Mr.  Morison  of  Mountblairy,  Aber- 
deenshire, who  obtained  the  family  from  Grant  Duff. 
The  Alexandrinas  have  to  their  credit  the  produc- 
tion of  the  famous  American  champion  show  bull 
Gay  Monarch  92411.  The  family  came  into  the  pos- 
session of  Mr.  Marr  about  1 860. 

The  Roan  or  Red  Ladys.— About  1855  Mr.  Marr 
purchased  from  the  late  Mr.  Whitehead  of  Little 


OTHER    NORTH    COUNTRY    HERDS  615 

Methlick,  Aberdeenshire,  a  cow  called  Eoan  Lady, 
from  which  he  bred  a  heifer  by  the  Kinellar  bull 
Young  Pacha  called  Red  Lady.  Descendants  of 
these  cows  have  since  been  known  at  Uppermill  as 
Roan  or  Red  Ladys.  They  have  been  distinguished, 
as  a  rule,  for  their  rich  colors,  good  Short-horn  char- 
acter, fine  style  and  depth  of  flesh.  Representatives 
of  this  sort  have  several  times  topped  the  Uppermill 
young  bulls.  Indeed,  at  the  sale  held  this  year 
(1899)  the  best  price,  270  guineas,  was  paid  by  Mr. 
Mills  for  Royal  Fame  from  Roan  Lady  14th — a  fine 
old  cow,  still  useful  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years. 

The  Bessies. — This  tribe  came  to  Uppermill  in 
1862  and,  like  the  Roan  Ladys,  was  acquired  by  pur- 
chase from  Mr.  Whitehead.  The  latter  had  obtained 
the  blood  from  Barclay  of  Ury.  It  is  one  of  several 
valuable  Scottish  sorts  tracing  in  the  maternal  line 
to  Mary  Anne,  by  Sillery.  The  Bessies  are  now  well 
known  in  connection  with  the  champion  show  bull 
Sign  of  Riches  (60324),  sold  in  1898  for  export  to 
South  America  and  called  by  many  good  judges  the 
best  Short-horn  bull  in  Great  Britain  at  the  time  of 
his  exportation.  He  was  a  bull  of  extraordinary" 
depth  and  wealth  of  flesh  that  overcame  all  opposi- 
tion not  only  at  the  Highland  show  but  at  the  Royal 
Dublin.  He  was  sold  at  auction  in  Buenos  Aires  for 
£650,  and  one  of  his  sons  (Farrier)  was  recently  sold 
in  Argentine  by  the  Messrs.  Nelson  for  £1,300. 

The  Claras. — Mr.  Marr,  in  common  with  nearly  all 
of  the  other  Aberdeenshire  breeders,  was  indebted 


616  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOKiir   CATTLE  ^ 

very  largely  to  the  Ury  blood  of  Capt.  Barclay  for 
his  foundation  stock.  In  addition  to  the  Ury  tribes 
already  mentioned  he  obtained  in  1860  from  Mr. 
Shepherd  of  Shethin  the  cow  Clara  10th,  descended 
from  Clara  2d,  by  The  Pacha,  bred  by  Barclay.  The 
Claras  are  recognized  in  the  North  of  Scotland  as 
one  of  the  soundest  of  the  old  local  sorts,  and  in 
1876  Clara  28th  of  this  line,  sired  by  Gold  Digger 
(24044),  was  a  prominent  prize-winner.  She  pos- 
sessed great  scale  and  rare  beauty  of  conformation. 
Several  specimens  of  this  family  have  been  imported 
to  the  United  States  and  Canada. 

The  Emmas. — This  family  came  to  Uppermill 
about  1870  through  the  cow  Emma  2d,  by  Golden 
Eagle  (26267).  She  carried  six  successive  crosses 
of  bulls  bred  by  Mr.  Cruickshank,  and  one  of  her 
heifers,  bred  by  Mr.  Marr,  known  as  Emma  3d,  was 
imported  into  Illinois  in  1876,  where  she  became  the 
dam  of  the  champion  twin  heifers  Emma  4th  and 
5th,  that  acquired  so  much  celebrity  in  the  herd  of 
Messrs.  Potts.  Indeed,  it  may  fairly  be  claimed  that 
the  exhibition  of  these  massive,  heavy-fleshed  cows 
contributed  largely  toward  building  up  the  demand 
for  Scotch-bred  Short-horns  that  set  in  throughout 
the  Western  States  about  the  time  of  their  exhibi- 
tion. Another  noted  animal  of  the  Emma  type  was 
the  bull  Earl  of  Mar  (47815),  imported  into  Canada 
by  Francis  Green.  He  was  a  roan  from  Emma  2d, 
the  matron  of  the  tribe  at  Uppermill. 

The  Goldies. — The  original  Goldie  was  bred  by 


OTHER    NORTH    COUNTRY    HERDS  617 

Messrs.  Smith  &  Co.  of  Inverness.  She  was  a  re- 
markably fine  specimen  of  the  breed,  having  for  sire 
the  Sitty ton-bred  Goldsmith  (14632).  She  came  to 
Uppermill  about  1858,  where  she  produced  in  1865 
the  bull  Gold  Digger  that  was  sold  to  the  late  Mr. 
Duthie,  father  of  the  present  William  Duthie  of 
Collynie.  He  proved  such  a  good  sire  that  he  was 
bought  back  for  Uppermill  and  rendered  valuable 
service.  Goldie  was  fed  for  exhibition  at  the  Smith- 
field  Show  in  London,  where  she  was  a  prize-winner 
after  having  produced  four  calves.  She  was  re- 
garded as  one  of  the  best  Short-horn  cows  of  her 
time,  and  some  of  the  best  of  all  the  Uppermill 
Short-horns  trace  descent  from  her.  A  white  bull 
calf  of  this  tribe,  called  The  White  Knight,  has  re- 
cently been  bought  by  Mr.  Duthie  for  service  at 
Collynie  at  140  guineas.  He  was  sired  by  Wanderer 
out  of  Goldie  35th. 

Sittyton  sorts. — In  addition  to  his  own  families  as 
above  enumerated  Mr.  Marr  added  to  the  herd  at 
Uppermill  representatives  of  Mr.  Cruickshank^s 
Butterfly  and  Duchess  of  Gloster  tribes.  In  the  hands 
of  Mr.  Marr  the  Butterflys  have  been  known  as 
Blythesomes.  It  will  be  remembered  that  this  sort 
was  obtained  by  Mr.  Cruickshank  from  Capt.  Bar- 
clay. The  first  of  the  family  went  to  Uppermill  in 
1880.  A  Blythesome  bull  calf  recently  brought  220 
guineas  from  P.  L.  Mills  of  Ruddington  Hall.  The 
Duchesses  of  Gloster  at  Uppermill  are  derived  from 
Duchess  of  Gloster  35th,  bred  at  Sittyton  in  1885. 


618  A  HISTOEY   OF   SHORT-HOEN   CATTLE 

Early  Sires  at  Uppermill. — One  of  the  first  bulls 
bought  by  Mr.  Marr  was  Clarendon  (14280),  a  red, 
obtained  in  1856  from  the  old  herd  at  Shethin.  He 
was  always  thought  an  extra  good  bull  and  a  rare 
stock-getter.  He  belonged  to  the  Princess  Royal 
family.  Another  valuable  bull  obtained  from  Shet- 
hin and  placed  in  service  in  1859  was  the  beautiful 
roan  Lord  of  Lome  (18258),  sired  by  the  famous 
Cherry  Duke  2d  (14265),  and  tracing  on  the  dam's 
side  through  the  Lovely  line  afterward  so  famous 
at  Sittyton.  Lord  of  Lome  was  one  of  the  most 
potent  influences  in  the  development  of  the  original 
herd.  Uppermill  early  gave  its  adherence  to  Sitty- 
ton, the  first  of  the  Cruickshank  bulls  to  go  there 
being  Lord  Surrey  (20230)  and  Lord  Lyons 
(22173).  The  former  was  bought  in  1861  and  the 
latter  in  1864.  They  were  both  reds  and  both  proved 
satisfactory  sires.  Resort  was  next  had  to  Kinellar. 
Young  Pacha  (20457)  and  Prince  Louis  (27158), 
both  red,  were  obtained  from  Mr.  Campbell.  The 
former  left  some  good  cows  and  heifers  and  Prince 
Louis  proved  a  tower  of  strength.  He  was  a  bull  of 
great  substance,  very  thick  in  his  flesh  and  stood 
near  to  the  ground.  In  the  course  of  a  recent  letter 
to  the  author  the  younger  Mr.  Marr  says:  "I  be- 
lieve the  thickness  of  the  Uppermill  cattle  is  to  this 
day  partly  due  to  Prince  Louis.''  Tt  is  interesting 
in  this  connection  to  note  that  his  dam,  the  Cruick- 
shank-bred  Nonpareil  24th,  was  a  daughter  of  Lord 
Sackville  (13349),  whose  extraordinary  value  as  a 


OTHEK    NOETH    COUXTEY    HEEDS  619 

sire  was  not  sufficiently  recognized  at  Sittyton. 
Prince  Louis  was  followed  by  the  first  home-bred 
bull  to  be  placed  in  service,  to-wit:  Gold  Digger 
(24044).  As  already  mentioned  he  was  out  of  the 
great  cow  Goldie  and  was  used  for  a  time  by  the  late 
Mr.  Duthie.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a  very  grand 
red  bull,  possessing  great  width  and  depth.  One 
branch  of  the  Missies  traces  through  Missie  20th,  by 
Gold  Digger.  He  was  followed  by  the  Highland 
Society's  prize  bull  Macduff  (26773),  a  roan,  bred 
by  Mr.  Bruce  of  Broadland.  A  large  family  of  Mis- 
sies descend  through  Missie  30th  by  this  bull. 

Heir  of  Englishman  (24122).— This  great  show- 
yard  champion  was  bought  for  Uppermill  in  1869  at 
four  years  of  age.  He  was  bred  by  G.  R.  Barclay  of 
Keavil,  Perthshire,  who  was  also  the  breeder  of  the 
famous  Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster  7535,  so  cele- 
brated in  America.  The  Heir  was  got  by  English- 
man (19701)  out  of  the  handsome  cow  Seraphina 
13th,  belonging  to  Lord  Sudeley's  renowned  family 
of  that  name.  He  was  a  roan,  showing  pronounced 
Short-horn  character,  great  substance,  length,  qual- 
ity and  style,  and  was  a  leading  prize-winner  at  all 
the  National  shows  of  his  day,  including  both  the 
Eoyal  and  the  Highland.  Amos  Cruickshank  is  said 
to  have  been  one  of  his  greatest  admirers,  and  re- 
marked to  Mr.  Marr  that  the  bull's  head  and  eye 
alone  were  worth  the  price  paid  for  him.  Mr.  Marr 
was  offered  double  the  sum  given  for  the  bull  by  the 
Sittyton  management.     Heir  of  Englishman  gave 


620  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

the  Uppermill  herd  its  first  great  popularity.  His 
progeny  were  eagerly  sought  by  foreign  buyers  and 
were  easily  recognized  on  account  of  their  singular 
uniformity.  It  is  doubtful  if  any  bull  ever  used  in 
Aberdeenshire  left  a  greater  impress  upon  North 
Country  Short-horn  breeding.  He  was  used  at  Up- 
permill for  seven  years. 

Young  Englishman  (31113),  a  red,  sired  by  the 
Heir  out  of  Missie  19th,  developed  into  a  bull  of 
great  thickness  and  succeeded  his  sire  in  service.  He 
proved  a  good  getter  as  well  as  a  fine  show  bull,  and 
Mr.  Marr  had  the  courage  to  refuse  an  offer  of  £300 
for  him,  which  was  in  those  days  a  fabulous  price  for 
a  Scotch-bred  Short-horn.  About  this  same  time 
several  other  home-bred  bulls  were  tested,  among 
others  Midshipman  (29372),  that  was  used  for  a  year 
and  then  sold  for  export  to  Australia  at  a  long  price- 
He  was  a  bull  of  remarkable  thickness,  and  several 
of  his  daughters  were  brought  to  the  United  States 
and  Canada. 

Cherub  4th  (83359).— The  Seraphina  blood  as  evi- 
denced in  the  two  bulls  just  mentioned  gave  such 
eminent  satisfaction  at  Uppermill  that  Mr.  Marr 
next  purchased  the  roan  Cherub  4th,  bred  by  Lord 
Sudeley  and  sired  by  Mandarin  (29269)  out  of 
Booth's  Seraphina  by  Baron  Booth  (21212),  the  sire 
of  Mr,  Pickreirs  Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster.  Man- 
darin was  a  wliite  bull  with  roan  ears,  got  by  the 
Bates-bred  2d  Duke  of  Wetherby  (21618)  out  of 
Seraphina  15th;   so  that  Cherub  4th  was  an  inbred 


OTHER    NORTH    COUNTRY    HERDS  621 

SerapMna  carrying  a  Bates  as  well  as  a  Booth  cross. 
He  was  a  dark  roan  of  pronounced  substance  and 
quality  and  cost  200  guineas  at  twelve  months  old. 
He  was  a  capital  stock-getter  and  his  bulls  made  the 
highest  prices  obtained  by  Mr.  Marr  in  the  old  days. 

Athabasca  (47359). — In  the  selection  and  use  of 
this  valuable  Cruickshank  bull  we  have  an  admira- 
ble illustration  of  the  advantage  possessed  by  Old 
Country  breeders  in  the  matter  of  disregarding  color 
in  bulls  chosen  for  stock  purposes.  Athabasca  was 
a  white,  bred  at  Sittyton  from  the  prize  bull  Pride 
of  the  Isles  (35072)  out  of  Azalea  (dam  of  the  most 
celebrated  of  all  latter-day  Cruickshank  bulls,  Field 
Marshal),  by  Caesar  Augustus  (25704).  He  was 
bought  in  1881  and  used  at  Uppermill  for  seven 
years  with  complete  success.  His  young  bulls  were 
in  keen  demand  and  his  heifers,  as  a  rule,  were  of  a 
refined  and  excellent  breeding  type. 

Since  Athabasca's  time  none  but  Cruickshank 
bulls  have  been  used  at  Uppermill.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Lord  Lavender  (54616),  by  Cumberland 
out  of  Lavender  15th. 

William  of  Orange  (50694). — This  great  Cruick- 
shank bull  was  bought  at  Sittyton  as  a  calf  in  1883. 
He  was  a  red,  sired  by  Roan  Gauntlet  out  of  Orange 
Blossom  21st  by  Caesar  Augustus,  and  was  retained 
in  service  at  Uppermill  until  twelve  years  old.  His 
record  as  a  sire  is  a  source  of  pride  to  all  who  are 
interested  in  the  fortunes  of  the  Aberdeenshire  cat- 
tle.   He  was  a  red,  possessing  strong  individuality, 


622  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

wonderful  constitution,  a  grandly-spread  and  admir- 
ably-covered back,  and  extraordinary  quality.  As 
seen  at  Uppermill  by  the  writer  in  1892  lie  im- 
pressed us  as  the  best  aged  bull  of  the  breed  we  had 
the  privilege  of  examining  in  all  Britain,  and  his 
progeny  were  almost  without  exception  well  above 
the  average  in  merit.  Among  the  best  of  his  get 
may  be  mentioned  Gay  Monarch  and  Master  of  the 
Mint  (both  brought  to  America),  Mountaineer  and 
the  dam  of  Marengo.  His  daughters  have  proved 
mines  of  wealth  to  the  proprietors  of  Uppermill. 

Later  Sittyton  sires  at  Uppermill. — After  William 
of  Orange  came  Sea  King  (61769),  a  good  dark  roan 
of  the  Spicy  family,  sired  by  Gondomar  (55821)  out 
of  Sea  Foam  by  Gondolier  (52956),  tracing  to  Sil- 
very by  Champion  of  England.  Then  came  Daunt- 
less (54155),  Captain  of  the  Guard  (58956)  and 
Wanderer  (60138),  the  latter  sire  of  the  330-guinea 
bull  Scottish  Champion,  sold  to  Mr.  Duthie.  Wan- 
derer is  still  in  service  (1899)  at  eleven  years  of  age. 
The  Uppermill  young  bulls  have  been  sold  at  public 
auction  annually  since  1856.  Showing  has  been  dis- 
continued since  about  1875. 

Mr.  Marr  Sr.  departed  this  life  a  few  years  since 
after  a  long  and  useful  career,  having  contributed 
largely  to  the  upbuilding  of  the  reputation  which 
the  Aberdeenshire  Short-horns  have  attained  on 
both  sides  the  Atlantic.  His  son  William  S.  suc- 
ceeded to  the  ownership  and  management  of  the 
herd. 


OTHER   NORTH    COUNTRY    HERDS  623 

Lethenty. — Mr.  Anthony  Cruicksliank  had  two 
sons,  John  W.  and  Edward,  both  of  whom  always 
manifested  a  deep  interest  in  Short-horns.  Upon 
the  death  of  their  father  they  inherited  his  interests 
in  the  Sittyton  herd,  which  they  retained  nntil  its 
final  dispersion.  In  addition  to  holding  this  interest 
in  the  parent  herd  the  brothers  undertook  at  Leth- 
enty, near  Inverurie,  Aberdeenshire,  the  establish- 
ment of  a  partnership  herd.  The  foundation  of  the 
herd  was  laid  in  the  early  ''seventies''  and  Booth 
blood  was  made  the  standard.  The  herd  attained 
considerable  proportions  and  was  bred  with  a  good 
degree  of  success  for  some  years,  being  finally  dis- 
persed at  auction. 

After  the  sale  of  the  Booth  cattle  Mr.  Edward 
Cruickshank  founded  at  Lethenty  a  second  herd, 
drawing  part  of  his  material  from  Sittyton  and  part 
from  Longmore  of  Rettie.  As  has  already  been 
stated  the  Longmore  Short-horns  ranked  among  the 
best  ever  produced  in  Scotland,  the  herd  dating  from 
about  1838,  and  at  the  time  Edward  Cruickshank 
purchased  females  of  that  breeding  the  Rettie  stock 
carried  a  good  percentage  of  Sittyton  blood.  Ed- 
ward had  an  idea  that  these  large-framed,  good- 
milking  cows  would  "nick"  well  with  Sittyton  sires, 
and,  as  the  question  of  fresh  blood  for  the  parent 
herd  was  often  considered  by  Mr.  Amos  Cruick- 
shank, it  was  agreed  between  Edward  and  his  uncle 
that  the  proposition  of  the  former  to  select  good 
Longmore  cows  for  mating  with  Sittyton  bulls  was 


624  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

likely  to  result  in  success  and  perhaps  prove  the 
means  of  providing  a  desirable  outcross  for  the  new 
strongly-inbred  Cruickshank  stock.  Five  of  these 
Longmore  cows  were  bought  at  the  Rettie  dispersion 
of  1881,  consisting  of  three  daughters  and  two 
granddaughters  of  Lord  Forth  (26649),  a  red  bull 
bred  at  Sittyton  from  Forth  (17866)  out  of  Autumn 
Rose  by  Lord  Raglan.  The  richly-fleshed,  low- 
standing  roan  bull  Perfection  (37185),  sired  by 
Bridesman  (30586)  out  of  Russian  Violet  by  Scot- 
land's Pride,  was  secured  from  Sittyton  and  placed 
in  service.  This  bull  was  distinguished  for  his  qual- 
ity and  even  distribution  of  thick  flesh,  and  crossed 
with  Longmore  cows  proved  a  distinct  success.  He 
was  followed  in  service  by  one  of  his  sons.  Prince 
Rufus  (51926),  descended  on  his  dam's  side  from 
the  Rettie  stock.  He  was  a  capital  individual,  being 
shown  with  success  as  a  calf,  yearling  and  two-year- 
old.  About  1887  Edward  Cruickshank  resolved  to 
give  up  farming  and  take  up  his  residence  in  Eng- 
land, closing  out  practically  the  entire  herd  at  pri- 
vate sale  to  the  Hon.  John  Dryden  of  Canada. 

Collynie. — The  herd  of  Mr.  William  Duthie,  upon 
whose  shoulders  the  mantle  of  the  late  Amos 
Cruickshank  seems  to  have  fallen,  occupies  such  a 
commanding  position  in  the  Scotch  Short-horn  trade 
at  the  present  time  that  it  must  form  the  subject  of 
further  reference  in  a  subsequent  chapter.  As  its 
foundations,  however,  date  back  to  about  the  year 
1856  it  must  be  included  in  this  connection  among 


OTHER    NORTH    COUNTRY    HERDS  625 

the  Aberdeenshire  stocks  contemporaneous  in  date 
with  the  herd  at  Sittyton. 

Mr.  Duthie's  father  was  a  near  neighbor  of  Mr. 
Cruickshank  and  kept  a  few  Short-horns  on  the  farm 
of  Collynie — one  of  the  Earl  of  Aberdeen's  many 
estates  in  that  vicinity — some  fifty  years  since.  At 
the  dispersion  sale  of  the  good  herd  of  Mr.  Jonathan 
Whitehead  of  Little  Methlick,  in  1856,  he  purchased 
the  foundation  dams  of  three  tribes  that  are  still  to 
be  found  in  the  herd;  one  of  which  has  the  same 
origin  as  the  Roan  or  Red  Lady  tribe  at  Uppermill 
already  mentioned.  In  common  with  other  Aber- 
deenshire breeders  Mr.  Duthie  Sr.  sought  at  all 
times  cattle  of  the  useful,  practical  sort,  and  long 
before  the  Sittyton  dispersion  the  herd  had  acquired 
pronounced  merit  and  a  high  local  reputation.  It 
was  not,  however,  until  the  present  proprietor,  Mr. 
Wm.  Duthie,  made  his  memorable  purchase  of  Sit- 
tyton cattle  after  Mr.  Amos  Cruickshank  gave  up 
breeding,  that  the  Collynie  Short-horn  became  an 
important  factor  on  both  sides  the  water.  As  Ameri- 
can breeders  are  interested  more  particularly  in  the 
later  history  of  the  herd  comment  as  to  its  character 
is  reserved  until  the  subject  may  be  reached  in  its 
proper  order. 


CHAPTER  XXI 
EISE  OF  SCOTCH  POWER  IN  AMERICA 

The  first  importations  of  Scotch-bred  Short-horns 
to  America  were  made  in  1854  and  1856  by  the  Shak- 
ers of  Union  Village,  Warren  Co.,  0.,  and  R.  G.  Cor- 
wine  of  Lebanon,  0.,  and  consisted  of  some  thirty 
head,  most  of  which  were  bred  by  Douglas  of  Athel- 
staneford.  The  first  of  the  North-of-Scotland  blood 
was  brought  by  the  Illinois  Importing  Co.,  in  1857, 
from  the  herd  of  Messrs.  Cruickshank  at  Sittyton; 
and  the  excellence  of  the  two  animals  representing 
that  blood  in  this  first  Western  importation  is  amply 
attested  by  the  fact  that  at  the  company's  sale  at 
Springfield  the  pair — consisting  of  the  bull  Defend- 
er (12687),  by  Matadore  (11800),  and  the  roan  Non- 
pareil heifer  Lady  Harriet — brought  $3,800  at  auc- 
tion. Notwithstanding  this  early  introduction  of 
Scotch  cattle,  the  descendants  of  the  New  York, 
Ohio  and  Kentucky  importations  from  England,  as 
we  have  already  shown,  so  dominated  the  trade  in 
the  United  States  that  little  attention  was  paid  for 
many  years  to  the  operations  of  the  Scotch  breeders. 

Early  importations  into  Ontario. — Although  Can- 
ada was  linked  with  the  mother-land  by  many  ties 
of  blood  and  interest  and  numbered  in  her  rural  pop- 
ulation many  farmers  of  Scottish  birth,  the  Domin- 


EISE    OF    SCOTCH    POWER    INT    AMERICA  627 

ion's  interest  in  the  North-Country  cattle  did  not 
manifest  itself  in  any  appreciable  degree  until  after 
the  great  revival  of  breeding  in  North  America  that 
set  in  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  War  in  the  States. 
During  the  period  extending  from  1854  to  1861 
Geo.  and  Wm.  Miller  and  Simon  Beattie  made  sev- 
eral importations  from  the  herd  of  Robert  Syme  of 
Eed  Kirk,  Dumfrieshire.  This  was  a  sound  old 
stock  of  good  local  repute  in  the  south  of  Scotland, 
and  some  of  the  most  useful  of  the  Canadian  families 
of  Short-horns  trace  their  descent  from  these  pur- 
chases. A  very  noted  bull  of  Geo.  Miller's  importa- 
tion was  Prince  of  Wales  50100,  a  showy  roan  that 
was  exhibited  extensively  in  Canada  and  the  State 
of  New  York  without  meeting  defeat.  Mr.  William 
Miller  of  Pickering,  Ontario,  imported  cattle  of 
Syme's  breeding  about  the  same  dates;  some  of  the 
original  selections  being  made  by  his  son,  Mr.  Wm. 
Miller  (later  of  Lakeside  Farm,  Iowa),  then  a  young 
man  making  his  first  tour  of  the  old-country  herds 
and  flocks.  In  the  William  Miller  lot  was  the  bull 
Red  Kirk  (15138),  a  fine  roan  of  medium  size  that 
was  sold  for  service  in  the  State  of  New  York.  Mr. 
Miller  describes  the  Red  Kirk  heifers  of  that  day  as 
among  the  best  to  be  found  in  all  Britain.  In  1857 
Messrs.  Armstrong  of  Markham  brought  out  the 
light-roan  bull  Fawkes  (14539),  of  Red  Kirk  breed- 
ing, a  remarkably  thick-fleshed,  substantial  bull  that 
proved  a  grand  getter.  In  1856  Mr.  Geo.  Roddick  of 
Coburg  imported  from  the  herd  of  Mark  Stewart, 


628  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

Soutliwick,  near  Dumfries,  the  heifer  Nonpareil  6th 
in  calf  to  Lord  Kaghni  (13244)  and  the  young  bulls 
Brilliant  by  Baron  of  Eavens worth  (7811)  and 
Prince  Charlie  by  Lord  Raglan.  In  1861  Simon 
Beattie  imported  three  heifers  and  two  bulls  of  the 
Red  Kirk  blood,  and  in  1869  Wm.  Miller  of  Picker- 
ing brought  out  the  grand  roan  show  heifer  Ruberta 
— bred  by  Messrs.  Game  of  Broadmoor,  Gloucester- 
shire, England — that  had  a  successful  career  at  the 
leading  Western  fairs  of  the  early  ''seventies.''* 


*Some  facts  concerning  earlier  importations  into  Canada  from  Eng- 
land  may  here  be  of  interest : 

One  of  the  first  importations  into  the  Dominion  was  that  of  Mr. 
Rowland  Wing-field,  who  brought  out  in  1833  and  in  1838  six  cows  and 
heifers  and  the  white  bull  Young  Farmer  62d,  Three  of  the  females, 
Lilly,  by  Warden  1568;  Dairymaid,  by  Warwick  (2815)  ;  Pedigree,  by 
Mynheer  (2345),  and  Cowslip,  by  W^arwick  (2815),  were  purchased 
by  Kentucky  breeders  and  taken  to  that  State. 

About  this  same  date  Mr.  Adam  Fei-gusson  Imported  the  cows  Beau- 
ty, by  Snowball  (2647),  and  Cherry,  by  a  son  of  St.  Albans  (2584), 
together  with  the  bull  Agricola  (1614).  The  latter  was  sold  to  go  to 
New  York.  Beauty  and  Cherry  were  both  roans  from  the  herd  of 
James  Chrisp  of  Northumberland,  and  the  former  gave  rise  to  a  fam- 
ily that  afterward  became  very  popvxlar  at  Bow  Park  and  elsewhere. 
In  1837  Thomas  Mairs  imported  the  roan  bull  Holderness  and  the  cow 
Strawberry.  Antedating  all  of  these  was  an  importation  of  four  bulls 
said  to  have  been  made  by  the  New  Brunswick  Agricultural  Society, 
three  of  which  were  from  the  herd  of  Mr.  Wetherell. 

In  1845  Ralph  Wade  Sr.  of  Port  Hope,  Ont.,  imported  the  roan 
cows  Adeline,  Clarentine,  Fisher  Roan  and  Snowdrop,  and  the  bull 
American  Belted  Will  (12394),  mainly  of  Raine's  breeding.  Some 
years  later  Mr.  Wade  also  imported  a  white  cow,  Newham  Lily,  bred 
by  Mason  Hopper  from  Belleville  (6778),  and  the  roan  bull  Sir  Charles 
Napier    (13712),  of  same  breeding. 

From  1854  to  1856  F.  W.  Stone  of  Moreton  Lodge,  Guelph,  Ont., 
made  six  importations,  aggregating  about  thirty-four  head.  Mr.  Stone's 
pv;rchases  were  made  from  some  of  the  most  noted  herds  of  the  time 
in  England,  including  those  of  Jonas  Webb,  J.  S.  Tanqueray,  E.  Bowly, 
Col.  Kingscote,  H.  Ambler,  etc.  Included  in  these  shipments  were  the 
bulls  John  o*  Gaunt  2d  (13089),  Friar  John  (12905)  and  the  11th  and 
13th  Dukes  of  Oxford,  the  latter  sired  by  the  Bates  bull  6th  Duke  of 
Oxford  (12765),  but  not  tracing  to  that  tribe  on  dam's  side.  Among 
the  cows  was  the  roan  Margaret,  by  Snowball  8602,  of  Bowly's  breed- 
ing, that  gave  rise  to  a  nvimerous  family  bearing  her  name  ;  also  a  pair 
of  Sanspareil  heifers,  Isabella  (Booth),  from  Bolden's,  and  the  roan 
Eugenie,  from  Ambler's,  sired  by  imp.  Grand  Turk  (12969).  These 
selections  proved  very  valuable  to  the  cattle  interests  of  Canada,  and 
Mr.  Stone  made  further  large  importations  from  England  from  1870  to 
1878. 

In  1860  Dr.  G.  H.  Phillips  of  Prescott  imported  five  heifers  and  two 
bulls  from  Ireland,  one  of  the  latter  being  Master  McHale  5943,  all  of 
Booth  blood.     In  1868  the  Quebec  Agricultural  Society  brought  out  the 


KISE    OF    SCOTCH    POWER    IX    AMERICA  629 

Along  with  Euberta  came  the  heifer  Gola  and  bull 
Fawsley  Chief  10051,  both  of  Torres  breeding. 

Notwithstanding  these  investments  in  Scotch 
stock  the  English  type  of  Short-horns  continued  to 
have  the  call  in  Canada,  as  well  as  on  this  side  of  the 
border,  for  many  years  following  the  Syme  importa- 
tions mentioned.    Direct  importations  from  England 

two  heifers  Statesman's  Daughter  2cl  and  Princess,  bred  by  J.  Har- 
ward  of  Winterfold,  and  the  bull  Oxford  Gwynne  12551,  bred  by  Chas. 
Howard  of  Biddenham. 

In  1871  John  Snell  &  Sons  of  Edmonton  imported  the  roan  bull 
British  Baron  13557,  bred  by  Col.  Towneley,  and  in  1871  the  Booth- 
bred  Knight  of  the  Rose  23646.  In  August,  1871,  R.  J.  Stanton  of 
Thornhill  imported  five  heifers  from  the  herd  of  Mr.  Fawkes  of  Farne- 
ley  Hall,  and  the  bull  Baron  Mild-Eyes  from  the  herd  of  Col.  Gunter. 
A  second  shipment  was  made  by  Mr.  Stanton  in  1874  of  three  heif- 
ers from  the  Scotch  herds  of  Messrs.  J.  Whyte,  J.  Gordon  and  R. 
Binnie. 

Jno.  R.  Craig  of  Edmonton  imported  in  1874  the  red  heifer  Euphe- 
mia  and  heifer  calf,  bred  by  R.  Stratton  ;  the  cow  Lady  LeMoor,  bred 
by  T.  Maynard,  and  the  roan  heifer  Waterloo  J.,  bred  by  Sir  W.  C. 
Trevelyan  of  Northumberland.  In  1881  Mr.  Craig  received  from  the 
famous  herd  of  Lord  Polworth  of  Mertoun  House,  St.  Boswell's,  eleven 
heifers  and  seven  bulls,  all  Booth-topped. 

Between  1874  and  1877  Mr.  Jno.  Hope  imported  for  account  of  Hon, 
Geo.  Brown  of  Bow  Park  a  large  number  of  English-bred  cattle,  main- 
ly of  Bates  blood,  although  his  first  shipment,  made  in  1874,  contained 
several  Booths  from  the  herd  of  Raymond  Bruere.  In  1876  the  Can- 
ada West  Farm  Stock  Association,  reference  to  which  is  made  on  page 
4  82,  made  heavy  importations,  chiefly  of  Bates  blood,  from  leading 
English  herds. 

Between  1875  and  1880  Prof.  G.  Lawson  imported  some  twenty-five 
head,  representing  a  wide  range  of  English  blood,  for  the  Central  Board 
of  Agriculture  of  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia. 

In  1876  Thomas  Boak  of  Milton  imported  the  roan  cow  Farewell 
and  her  bull  calf  from  the  herd  of  Robt.  Thompson  of  Inglewood,  whose 
subsequent  successes  in  the  English  show-yard  with  the  great  MoUie 
Millicent  and  other  noted  prize  winners  gave  his  stock  great  celebrity. 
Along  with  this  Thompson  cow  came  the  roan  bull  Duke  of  Cumber- 
land   (58590). 

In  1879  Wm.  Linton  of  Aurora,  received  from  the  Linton  herd  at 
Sheriff  Hutton,  Yorkshire,  England,  the  cow  Rachel,  heifer  calf  Sheriff 
Hutton  Rose  and  the  young  bull  British  Hero  (39506)  ;  both  of  the 
latter  sired  by  the  famous  Sir  Arthur  Ingram  (32490).  In  1883  he 
received  from  the  same  source  the  cows  Snowdrop  and  Fame  2d. 

Between  1870  and  1881  Messrs.  J.  &  R.  Hunter  of  Alma,  made  sev- 
eral importations  of  Booth-bred  cattle  from  the  herds  of  Hugh  Ayl- 
mer  and  T.  E.  Pawlett.  We  believe  they  also  imported  one  Cruick- 
shank  heifer  in  the  early  "seventies,"  and  they  also  had  from  J. 
Whyte  of  Aberdeenshire,  the  Booth  bull  Knight  of  Warlaby  20163. 

in  1881  the  Government  of  St.  John's,  New  Brunswick,  imported  a 
half-dozen  heifers  from  the  herds  of  Hugh  Aylmer  of  Norfolk,  and  T. 
Marshall  of  Annan,  Scotland,  together  with  the  bulls  Bellman  (44406) 
and  Musketeer,  bred  by  the  IMessrs.  Mitchell  of  Alloa,  Scotland. 

From  1879  to  1883  W.  Murray  of  Chesterfield,  made  several  ship- 


630  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

to  Ontario  were  supplemented  by  purchases  of  stock 
of  English  descent  made  in  the  States. 

The  landing  of  Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster  and 
Eosedale  on  Canadian  soil  by  Mr.  Cochrane  in  1867, 
followed  by  their  sale  and  triumphant  career  in  the 
show-yards  of  the  West,  forecasted  trade  possibili- 
ties which  the  Dominion  breeders  were  quick  to 
grasp.  The  commanding  position  assumed  at  once 
by  Hillhurst  has  already  been  indicated,  and  while 
Mr.  Cochrane  was  operating  in  the  deep  waters  of 
the  Bates  and  Booth  speculation  certain  of  his  con- 
temporaries in  the  province  of  Ontario  were  quietly 
sowing  the  seed  which  was  in  time  to  work  a  revolu- 
tion in  the  Short-horn  standards  of  two  continents. 

First  Sittyton  cattle  in  Canada.— The  earliest  im- 
portation into  Canada  from  Sittyton  of  which  we 
find  record  was  a  small  shipment  made  in  1859  or 
1860  by  Mr.  Neil  McGillivray  of  Williamstown,  con- 
sisting of  the  red  cow  Honesty,  by  Procurator 
(10657)  out  of  Fidelity  by  Prince  Edward  Fairfax; 
her  red  bull  calf  Baronet,  sired  by  The  Baron 
(13833);  the  roan  cow  Model,  by  Matadore  (11800) 
out  of  Brunette  by  Prince  Edward  Fairfax;  and  the 

ments  from  England,  including  Grand  Duchess  of  Oxford  69th  and  5th 
Duke  of  Holker  (44687)  from  the  herd  of  the  Duke  of  Devonshire.  Mr. 
Murray's  importations  represented  the  best  Bates  tribes. 

Mr.  H.  Y.  Attrill,  a  capitalist  with  large  business  interests  in  the 
United  States  and  Canada,  and  the  owner  of  a  farm  at  Goderich.  On- 
tario, imported  in  1881  Grand  Duchesses  28th  and  35th,  bred  by  R.  E. 
Oliver  of  Sholebroke  Lodge,  and  the  roan  Bates  Duchess  bull  5th  Duke 
of  Tregunter  (33743).  In  1883  he  imported  two  Grand  Duchesses  of 
Oxford,  one  Baroness  Oxfoi-d,  one  Winsome  Wild  Eyes  and  a  Barring- 
ton  from  the  herd  of  the  Duke  of  Devonshire. 

Richard  Gibson  made  extensive  importations  of  Bates  cattle  from 
1881  to  1883,  most  of  which  were  sold  at  good  prices  to  breeders  in 
the  States. 


RISE    OF    SCOTCH    POWER   I^T    AMERICA  631 

roan  bull  Royal  George  (16866),  by  Master  Butterfly 
2d  (14918)  out  of  Princess  Mary  by  The  Baron. 
These  were  accompanied  by  the  roan  heifer  Nina,  of 
Mark  Stewart's  breeding,  and  a  roan  heifer  called 
Souvenir,  bred  by  J.  Grundy  of  The  Dales,  near 
Manchester,  England. 

In  the  year  1867  Geo.  Isaac,  a  Scotchman  who  had 
settled  in  Canada  in  1842,  began  importing  stock 
from  the  herd  of  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Campbell 
of  Kinellar.  Mr.  Isaac's  original  importatiqn  con- 
sisted of  the  two  red  yearling  heifers  Isabella  and 
Margaret  3d,  both  sired  by  Diphthong  3d  (21547), 
and  the  bull  calf  Prince  Charlie  (27123).  This  ship- 
ment was  followed  three  years  later  by  a  larger  one 
from  the  same  source,  which  was  destined  to  have  a 
marked  influence  upon  the  American  trade.  It  con- 
sisted of  seven  heifers  and  the  two  yearling  bulls 
Statesman  15539,  a  red-roan  of  the  Nonpareil  sort, 
and  Wellington  15692.  Among  the  heifers  were 
Golden  Drop  2d  (carrying  Golden  Drop  3d  by  Sir 
Christopher),  Miss  Ramsden  3d  (carrying  Miss 
Ramsden  4th),  and. Bloom  3d,  in  calf  to  Sir  Christo- 
pher (22895).  This  was  the  first  of  the  celebrated 
Golden  Drop  family  brought  to  America,  and  the 
subsequent  career  of  that  excellent  Kinellar  tribe  in 
the  West  contributed  largely  to  building  the  Scotch 
Short-horn  fame  on  this  side  the  Atlantic.  In  1872 
Mr.  Isaac  supplemented  his  previous  importations 
from  Kinellar  by  the  purchase  of  a  half-dozen  fe- 
males of  Mr.  CampbelPs  breeding,  together  with  the 


632  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

roan  bull  Inkermann  26863.  In  1874  Georg"e  Isaac's 
son  John,  of  Bowmanton,  commenced  his  long  series 
of  importations  of  Kinellar-bred  cattle. 

In  1870  Mr.  John  S.  Armstrong  of  Guelph  began 
with  cattle  drawn  from  the  herd  of  the  late  Mr.  Marr 
of  Uppermill.  The  initial  importation  consisted  of 
four  red  two-year-old  heifers,  one  of  which,  Missie 
23d,  belonged  to  a  tribe  now  holding  high  rank  on 
both  sides  the  Atlantic.  In  1871  Mr.  Armstrong  im- 
ported a  red  yearling  heifer  of  Mr.  Cruickshank's 
breeding — Lady  Florence,  tracing  to  Picotee — and  a 
red  yearling  heifer,  Golden  Bracelet,  from  Mr. 
Duthie's,  a  granddaughter  of  Velvet  by  Champion  of 
England.  In  1873  Mr.  Armstrong  made  a  large  ship- 
ment, mainly  from  Uppermill,  a  number  of  which 
were  sired  by  Heir  of  Englishman  (24122).  These 
cattle  met  with  a  favorable  reception  at  the  hands  of 
the  Ontario  farmers,  and  in  1876  Mr.  Armstrong 
made  a  further  importation  from  the  herd  of  Mr. 
Marr. 

The  Athelstane  blood. — One  of  the  most  valuable 
importations  that  ever  crossed  the  Atlantic  was  that 
made  by  Hon.  David  Christie  of  Paris,  Ontario,  in 
August,  1864,  from  the  far-famed  herd  of  Douglas  of 
Athelstaneford.  It  included  the  great  four-year-old 
cow  Queen  of  Athelstane,  got  by  Sir  James  the  Eose 
(15290)  out  of  the  Bates-bred  Playful  by  4th  Duke  of 
York  (10167) ;  her  yearling  heifer  Princess  of  Athel- 
stane, by  Watchman  (17216);  the  roan  heifer  calf 
Crown   Princess   of   Athelstane,   by   Next   of   Kin 


RISE    OF    SCOTCH    POWER    IX    AMERICA  633 

(20405) ;  the  red  three-year-old  heifer  Pride  of  Ath- 
elstane,  by  Sir  James  the  Eose  out  of  Lady  of  Athel- 
stane  by  the  prize  bull  Hymen  (13058) ;  the  red  six- 
year-old  Placida,  by  Master  of  Athelstane  (14933), 
and  her  bull  calf  by  Knight  of  Athelstane  (20075), 
and  Queen  of  Athelstane 's  roan  bull  calf.  Crown 
Prince  of  Athelstane  (21512).  As  stated  on  page 
606,  these  cattle  represented  some  of  the  leading 
show-yard  celebrities  of  their  time  in  Great  Britain. 

In  1868  Mr.  Christie  brought  out  from  England 
the  red-and-white  Booth  bull  Knight  of  St.  George 
8472,  bred  by  Mr.  Carr  of  Yorkshire  and  sired  by 
Prince  of  the  Realm  (22627)  out  of  Windsor's  Queen 
by  Windsor  (14013).  Bred  to  Crown  Princess  of 
Athelstane,  Knight  of  St.  George  sired  Crown  Prince 
of  Athelstane  2d  16585,  calved  in  1872,  that  was  sold 
to  John  Miller  and  James  I.  Davidson.  The  latter 
bred  him  to  some  of  his  best  Cruickshank  cows,  the 
cross  proving  one  of  the  greatest  ''hits"  known  in 
the  American  Short-horn  trade.  The  Scotch  cattle 
bearing  this  cross,  in  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Kissinger, 
Wilhoit,  Potts  and  others  in  the  Western  States, 
were  distinguished  for  their  constitution,  thrift  and 
feeding  quality,  contributing  some  of  the  most  suc- 
cessful cattle  ever  produced  on  this  side  the  Atlantic. 

Cruickshank  cattle  at  the  shows. — Mr.  Joseph  S. 
Thompson  of  Mayfield,  Whitby,  Ontario,  made  an 
importation  by  the  ship  European  in  August,  1870, 
that  fairly  entitled  him  to  the  credit  of  having  first 
brought  the  Sittyton  cattle  into  that  prominence 


634  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOKT-HOKX   CATTLE 

which  they  have  ever  since  held  in  this  countiy.  It 
was  this  memorable  shipment  that  brought  to  our 
shores  the  red  Champion  of  England  heifers  Sylvia 
(running  through  Lord  Sackville  to  the  Secret  foun- 
dation) and  Christabel,  tracing  to  the  Kilmeny  base. 
These  two  grand  specimens  of  Amos  Cruickshank's 
breeding  were  shown  as  yearlings  at  the  Provincial 
fair  held  in  Toronto  the  year  of  their  importation, 
coming  against  John  M.  Bell's  famous  roan  heifer 
Empress,  tracing  to  the  old  Red  Kirk  stock.  Three 
better  yearlings  have  probably  never  been  seen  in 
one  American  show-yard,  and  when  the  entries  from 
Sittyton  were  placed  first  and  second  respectively 
the  Cruickshank  cattle  at  once  acquired  favorable 
repute.  They  were  the  first  specimens  of  that  breed- 
ing exhibited  in  Canada,  and  from  that  time  forward 
a  large  contingent  of  Dominion  breeders  never  wav- 
ered in  their  allegiance  to  the  Sittyton  stock.  The 
heifers  above  mentioned  were  bought  in  the  fall  of 
1870  by  the  late  Simon  Beattie  for  Col.  Wm.  S.  King 
of  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  and  in  the  Western  States 
they  made  many  fast  friends  for  the  Aberdeenshire 
blood.  Sylvia  developed  into  an  2,800-lb.  cow  of 
magnificent  substance  and  flesh,  inheriting  much  of 
the  extraordinary  thickness  and  quality  of  her  sire, 
and  at  the  great  Jacobs  sale  at  West  Liberty,  la.,  in 
1875  was  conceded  to  be  the  best  animal  offered, 
commanding  the  long  price  of  $2,500.  This,  there- 
fore, was  the  real  beginning  of  a  widespread  appre- 
ciation of  the  Sittyton  cattle  in  America,  although 


EISE    OF    SCOTCH    POWER    IN^    AMERICA  635 

it  was  many  years  before  their  undoubted  merit  for 
practical  purposes  was  fully  recognized. 

Along-  with  Sylvia  and  Christabel  came  the  Sitty- 
ton  heifer  Butterfly  ^s  Eose,  the  good  roan  heifer 
Minnie's  Annandale  (bred  by  Currie  of  Halkerston, 
near  Edinburgh),  the  Kinellar-bred  heifers  Clemen- 
tina 1st  and  2d,  and  the  roan  Cruickshank  Orange 
Blossom  bull  Grand  Duke  of  Orange  (28762),  sired 
by  Scotland's  Pride  out  of  Orange  Blossom  4th  by 
Champion  of  England. 

Violet's  Forth. — The  enthusiasm  with  which  the 
Cruickshank  importation  above  mentioned  was  re- 
ceived in  Canada  and  the  West  induced  Mr.  Thomp- 
son to  make  a  larger  importation  from  Scotland  the 
following  year.  From  Sittyton  he  obtained  one  of 
the  best  cows  ever  sired  by  the  grand  show  bull 
Forth,  the  roan  Violet's  Forth,  then  in  her  sixth 
year,  safe  in  calf  to  Caesar  Augustus.  Mr.  Cruick- 
shank parted  with  this  cow  reluctantly,  but  her  sub- 
sequent exhibition  at  the  shows  of  the  Central  West, 
following,  as  it  did,  the  appearance  of  Sylvia  and 
Christabel,  enhanced  materially  American  apprecia- 
tion of  his  efforts.  Violet's  Forth  was  sold  to  Wil- 
liam Stewart  of  Franklin  Grove,  111.,  and  produced 
the  bull  Champion  of  the  West  13632,  afterward  sold 
for  $1,000.  Stewart  sold  the  cow  to  John  Haley 
Spears  of  Menard  Co.,  111.,  one  of  the  great  showmen 
of  his  time,  who  exhibited  her  with  success  at  the 
leading  Western  fairs,  selling  her  at  auction  at  nine 
years  old  to  Mrs.  Kimberley  of  Iowa  at  $1,000. 


636  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOKN    CATTLE 

The  Golden  Drops. — Another  grand  Scotch  cow 
brought  out  by  Mr.  Thompson  was  Golden  Drop  1st, 
a  red-roan  of  same  age  as  Violet's  Forth,  bred  by  Mr. 
Campbell  of  Kinellar,  and  sired  by  Prince  of  Worces- 
ter (20597)  out  of  Golden  Drop  by  Scarlet  Velvet. 
Violet's  Forth  had  decidedly  the  stronger  back  and 
loin,  but  in  other  respects  Golden  Drop  1st  was  her 
equal.  She  passed  into  possession  of  Messrs.  John 
Snell  &  Sons,  Edmonton,  Ont.,  but  like  Sylvia  and 
Violet's  Forth  she  was  sought  by  the  enterprising 
breeders  of  the  West.  At  Snell 's  sale  of  1874  she 
was  bought  by  Messrs.  A.  H.  &  I.  B.  Day  of  Utica, 
la.,  owners  of  one  of  the  most  noted  show  herds  of 
the  early  "seventies,"  at  $1,125,  and  in  their  hands 
added  fresh  luster  to  the  Aberdeenshire  fame  in  the 
New  World.  Her  red-roan  heifer  of  1871,  Golden 
Drop  4th  by  Sir  Christopher  (22895),  also  imported 
by  Mr.  Thompson,  possessed  much  of  her  mother's 
merit.  She  was  sold  to  Mr.  George  F.  Wastell  of 
Port  Huron,  Mich.  Mr.  Thompson  also  imported  the 
roan  Golden  Drop  6th,  sired  by  Sir  Christopher  out 
of  Bloom  4th  by  Prince  of  Worcester. 

Thompson's  other  importations. — In  addition  to 
the  valuable  cattle  above  mentioned,  Mr.  Thomp- 
son's importations  from  1870  to  1874  included  the 
Cruickshank-bred  cow  Village  Bud,  a  roan  by  Scot- 
land's Pride,  and  her  daughter  Village  Blossom,  by 
Ben  Wyvis  (30528).  Village  Blossom  passed  into 
the  possession  of  the  Messrs.  Watt  of  Salem,  in 
whose  hands  she  produced  the  most  celebrated  show 


RISE    OF    SCOTCH    POWER    IN^    AMERICA  637 

bull  of  recent  years  in  North  America — Young  Ab- 
bottsburn  110679.  Another  cow  of  the  Thompson 
importations  that  left  a  valuable  progeny  was  the 
red-and-white  Easpberry,  bred  by  C.  Bruce  of  Hunt- 
ley, Scotland,  got  by  the  noted  Kinellar  sire  Prince 
of  Worcester  (20597).  John  Collard  of  Iowa  paid 
$1,015  for  her  in  Canada  in  1874.  There  was  also 
obtained  at  Sittyton  Katharine  by  Allan,  and  Fi- 
nesse, daughter  of  Finella  by  Champion  of  England ; 
from  James  Currie  came  Cow^slip,  Minnie  Halkerston 
and  a  pair  of  Crimson  Flowers,  along  with  several 
good  bulls  from  the  herds  of  Campbell,  Marr  and  the 
l)uke  of  Buccleuch. 

In  1871  Mr.  H.  Thompson  imported  the  roan  heifer 
Lady  Cecil  from  the  herd  of  the  Duke  of  Buccleuch, 
the  roan  heifer  Stamford  8th  from  Uppermill,  and 
the  red  yearling  Butterfly  bull  Breadalbane  (28073), 
sired  by  Champion  of  England,  from  Sittyton.  In 
1872  W.  Thompson  of  Markham  imported  from  the 
Cruickshank  herd  the  red  heifer  Michigan  Casket, 
by  Senator  (27441)  out  of  Cactus  by  Champion  of 
England. 

John  Miller's  first  shipment. — In  August,  1870, 
Mr.  John  Miller  of  Brougham,  son  of  William  Miller 
Sr.  of  Markham  above  mentioned,  made  his  first  im- 
portation; bringing  out  the  roan  Eose  of  Strathal- 
lan — a  cow  of  great  scale  and  substance  that  had 
been  a  prize-winner  in  Scotland — bred  by  Lord 
Strathallan  of  Perth,  and  sired  by  Mr.  Cruickshank 's 
Allan  (21172).    She  was  in  calf  at  the  time  to  the 


638  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Booth  bull  Prowler  (22662),  and  dropped  to  that 
service  the  red  Lord  Strathallan  17591,  that  devel- 
oped into  a  handsome  show  bull,  sold  to  Mr.  S.  F. 
Lockridge  of  Greencastle,  Ind.,  at  $2,500  and  winner 
of  a  large  number  of  prizes  and  challenge  cups  both 
in  Canada  and  the  States.*  In  this  same  importa- 
tion w^ere  a  number  of  English-bred  heifers,  includ- 
ing the  Booth-bred  Gaiety  and  Madame  Booth,  both 
from  Killerby  and  got  by  Brigade  Major  (21312). 

In  July,  1871,  John  Miller  brought  out  nine  heif- 
ers, including  Missie  32d,  from-  Uppermill,  Oxford 
Lady  from  Col.  Towneley's,  and  several  from  the 
herd  of  T.  Marshall  of  Annan,  Scotland.  In  1872 
Mr.  Miller  imported  the  Booth-bred  General  Prim 
(31234),  of  Hugh  Aylmer's  breeding. 

James  I.  Davidson. — One  of  the  earliest  and  most 
consistent  supporters  of  Sittyton  in  Canada  was  Mr. 


*Mr.  Lockridge  says  of  this  bull :  "Lord  Strathallan  was  a  nearly- 
solid  red,  not  a  dark  red,  but  what  might  be  called  a  golden  red,  of 
great  scale,  weighing  in  fair  show  condition  2,400  lbs.,  and  could  easily 
have  been  made  to  weigh  2,500  lbs.  He  was  a  bull  of  great  length, 
and,  while  not  remarkably  short  in  the  leg,  was  deep  of  body  and  wide 
from  end  to  end,  with  oblique  shoulders,  well  filled  behind  them,  well- 
sprung  ribs,  wide  in  the  chest,  with  the  most  remarkable  development 
of  brisket  I  ever  saw  in  a  bull.  He  was  good  in  twist  and  thigh,  a 
little  light  in  flank,  and  not  so  long  of  hip  as  the  rules  of  proportion 
require,  perhaps,  but  compensated  for  that  defect  by  extra  width  at 
that  point.  He  had  a  beautiful  head,  set  on  a  neck  clean  and  small  at 
the  throat-latch,  swelling  in  symmetrical  lines  into  the  great  chest. 
His  horn  was  short  and  fiat,  thick  at  the  base  and  on  a  level  with  the 
top  of  the  head.  The  carriage  of  the  bull  was  superb.  I  do  not  think 
I  ever  saw  anything  quite  equal  to  it.  So  good  a  judge  as  Davy 
Grant  once  said  of  him  on  the  show  ground  that  if  he  possessed  the  in- 
struments and  skill  of  the  sculptor  he  couldn't  carve  a  more  perfect 
front.  He  impressed  his  qualities  upon  his  heifer  calves  in  a  much 
larger  degree  than  upon  his  bull  calves.  All  his  heifers  were  very 
like  him,  but  his  bull  progeny  were  more  prone  to  follow  the  charac- 
teristics of  their  dams. 

"Lord  Strathallan  was  what  might  be  called  a  miscellaneously-bred 
bull,  but  from  the  best  sources.  The  blood  of  nearly  all  of  the  great 
English  breeders  was  in  his  lineage.  Mason,  Towneley,  Douglas, 
Knightley,  Booth  and  Cruickshank  all  contributed  in  more  or  less  de- 
gree to  the  constitution  of  his  blood  lines." 


RISE    OF    SCOTCH    POWER    IN    AMERICA  639 

James  I.  Davidson  of  Balsam,  Ontario.  A  native  of 
Aberdeen,  who  emigrated  to  Canada  in  1842,  he  en- 
joyed the  personal  friendship  and  confidence  of  Mr. 
Amos  Cruickshank,  and  after  it  appeared  that  the 
Sittyton  sort  were  winning  their  way  in  America  he 
became  for  some  years  the  leading  importer  and  dis- 
tributor of  cattle  of  that  type  on  this  side  of  the 
Atlantic. 

Mr.  Davidson  began  breeding  Short-horns  about 
1860  with  a  heifer  by  Fawkes  (14539),  running  on 
the  dam's  side  to  imp.  Esterville.  She  proved  a  good 
investment.  In  1862  he  purchased  from  George  Mil- 
ler of  Markham  the  good  cow  Cherry,  by  Prince  of 
Wales  (18630),  that  also  did  well.  It  was  not  until 
1871  that  Mr.  Davidson  commenced  importing  direct 
from  Sittyton.*  In  June  of  that  year  Mr.  Jamieson, 
an  Aberdonian  relative — who  was  in  the  employ  of 
Mr.  Grant  Duff  for  more  than  twenty  years — se- 
lected and  shipped  five  heifers,  including  Oak 
AVreath,  a  red  by  Allan  (21172);  Rose  Blossom,  a 
red  by  Senator  (27441);  Matchless  15th,  a  red  by 


*Just  before  the  dispersion  sale  of  the  famous  herd  of  Grant  Duff 
of  Eden  was  announced  in  1853,  Mr.  Davidson  wrote  to  his  friend  and 
relative  Mr.  Jamieson,  Mr.  Duff's  overseer,  for  a  price  on  a  good  year- 
ling heifer.  He  was  advised  that  the  price  would  be  40  guineas.  In- 
stead of  sending  the  money  direct,  Mr.  Davidson  forwarded  a  draft 
to  a  near  relative,  with  instructions  to  procure  and  ship  the  heifer. 
The  recipient  of  the  money,  however,  took  it  upon  himself  to  decide 
that  the  price  was  too  high  and  determined  to  wait  and  execute  the 
order  at  the  sale.  In  order  that  Mr.  Davidson's  agent  might  not  make 
any  mistake  and  bid  on  the  wrong  animal,  Jamieson  agreed  to  enter 
the  ring  during  the  sale  and  adjust  the  halter  on  the  heifer  chosen. 
The  plan  worked  all  right  until  the  bidding  began,  but  as  the  heifer 
was  started  at  50  guineas  and  in  a  few  minutes  was  going  at  100 
guineas,  the  order  was  never  filled.  This  proved  a  costly  interference 
with  Mr.  Davidson's  plans,  as  a  granddaughter  of  the  heifer  in  ques- 
tion (Venus,  bv  Grand  Duke.  Vol.  XI,  E.  H.  B. )  during  the  "boom" 
days  of  the  seventies  commanded  the  great  price  of  $2,300  at  a  sale 
made  by  Edward  lies  at  Springfield,  111. 


640  A   HISTORY    OF    SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

Champion  of  England;  Matchless  16th,  a  roan  by 
Senator,  and  Water  Witch,  a  red  by  Scotland's 
Pride.  Two  of  these,  Rose  Blossom  and  Matchless 
15th,  were  among  the  best  Cruickshank  heifers  ever 
brought  to  this  country  and  were  sold  to  the  Messrs. 
Moffatt.  The  other  three  were  retained  for  a  time, 
but  after  a  few  years  Oak  Wreath  was  sold  to  Mr. 
Ludlow  of  Monroe,  Wis.,  for  $800  along  with  her 
fifteen  months '  calf  at  $600.  Water  Witch  also  came 
to  the  States  at  $700,  and  a  fifteen  months^  calf  from 
Matchless  16th  was  sold  to  C.  Jordan  of  Iowa  at 
$500. 

In  August,  1873,  Mr.  Davidson  imported  Mysie 
37th  and  a  pair  of  Orange  Blossoms  and  in  1874 
received  the  first  large  shipment  ever  forwarded 
from  Sittyton,  consisting  of  twenty  head.  This 
transferred  to  America  some  of  the  most  valuable 
blood  of  the  Cruickshank  herd,  and  from  it  have  de- 
scended a  large  number  of  the  best  Cruickshank  cat- 
tle contained  in  the  breeding  herds  of  Canada  and 
the  Western  States.  It  included  such  animals  as  the 
Butterflys  36th,  43d  and  44th,  Acorn  2d,  Red  Lady, 
Mysies  35th  and  36th,  Autumn  Lady,  Coral,  Village 
Girl,  Rosemary,  Flora  6th,  Golden  Galaxy,  Evening 
Star,  etc.,  besides  the  bull  Framework  (33964).  Soon 
after  this  importation  was  landed  Dr.  Noel  of  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  visited  Mr.  Davidson  and  purchased 
two  of  the  Sittyton  heifers  for  $1,800,  one  of  which 
gave  rise  to  the  family  since  known  as  the  Tennessee 
Orange  Blossoms.    It  was  about  this  time  that  Mr. 


RISE    OF    SCOTCH   POWER   I^T    AMERICA  641 

J.  H.  Kissinger  was  at  the  zenith  of  his  career  in  the 
American  show-yard,  and  in  1875  he  was  allowed  to 
select  some  of  the  ' '  plums  ^ '  of  this  importation  for 
the  purpose  of  strengthening  his  show  herd  and  the 
Cruickshank  cause  in  the  States;  taking  out  to  the 
West  a  car-load  lot  of  Sittyton-bred  cattle  that  in 
after  years  proved  a  mine  of  wealth  to  the  breeders, 
feeders  and  farmers  of  the  corn  belt.  It  was  at  this 
period  that  Mr.  Davidson  made  his  fortunate  use  of 
Crown  Prince  of  Athelstane  2d  16585  upon  Cruick- 
shank cows  and  heifers.  In  1876  Daniel  Cookson  of 
Iowa  paid  $2,500  for  five  calves  sired  by  this  bull. 
Another,  the  heifer  Rose  of  Sharon  from  imp.  Eose- 
mary,  was  bought  by  Mr.  Palmer  of  Missouri  at  one 
of  Kissinger's  sales  at  $600,  and  won  championship 
honors  at  St.  Louis,  not  meeting  defeat  at  any  point 
on  the  Western  circuit.  Crown  Prince  of  Athelstane 
2d  was  a  prize-winner  himself,  never  having  been 
defeated  in  the  show-ring.  Mr.  Davidson  always 
refused  to  price  him  and  retained  him  in  service 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  at  seven  years  of 
age.  The  extraordinary  success  of  this  Athelstane 
cross  in  the  States  is  referred  to  elsewhere. 

From  1881  to  1887  Mr.  Davidson  had  practically  a 
monopoly  of  the  handling  of  such  stock  as  Mr. 
Cruickshank  could  spare  for  the  American  trade.  It 
would  require  more  space  than  we  have  here  at  our 
command  to  enumerate  even  the  best  of  the  many 
massive,  thick-fleshed,  wide-bodied,  short-legged 
specimens  of  the  Aberdeenshire  type  transferred  to 


642  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

the  New  World  by  Mr.  Davidson  during  the  period 
last  named.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  the  leaders  of  the 
movement  in  behalf  of  Scotch  Short-horns  in  the 
States,  such  as  Messrs.  Kissinger,  Potts,  Harris, 
Cookson,  Moffatt  and  their  contemporaries  profited 
largely  by  the  admirable  opportunity  presented  by 
Mr.  Davidson's  extensive  operations  in  Sittyton 
Short-horns. 

Hon.  John  Dryden. — It  was  in  July,  1871,  that 
Hon.  John  Dryden  of  Maple  Shade  Farm,  Brooklin, 
Ontario,  one  of  the  most  intelligent  of  all  those  who 
have  given  their  adherence  to  Short-horns  in  the 
Dominion,  began  breeding  and  importing  cattle  of 
the  Cruickshank  blood.  In  that  year  he  was  so  for- 
tunate as  to  secure  at  120  guineas  from  Sittyton  the 
now  famous  Mimulus,  by  Champion  of  England,  then 
in  her  three-year-old  form.  As  has  already  been 
shown,  this  red  cow,  as  the  dam  of  Mr.  Cruick- 
shank's  Eoyal  Duke  of  Gloster,  contributed  to  the 
Sittyton  herd  one  of  its  controlling  forces.  In  this 
same  importation  was  the  red  heifer  Mysie  34th,  by 
Caesar  Augustus;  the  roan  three-year-old  12th 
Duchess  of  Gloster,  by  Champion  of  England;  the 
red  cow  Butterfly  15th,  by  Prince  Imperial ;  the  roan 
three-year-old  Queen  of  Beauty,  by  Senator,  and  the 
red  bull  Stanley  (32594),  by  Caesar  Augustus  out  of 
Sweet  Violet  by  Lord  Stanley.  Queen  of  Beauty 
cost  at  Sittyton  110  guineas.  She  became  the  gran- 
dam  of  the  show  heifer  Beauty's  Pride,  sold  b}^  Mr. 
Dryden  as  a  calf  to  Mr.  Kissinger  and  afterward 


EISE    OF    SCOTCH   POWER   I>T    AMERICA  643 

owned  by  L.  Palmer,  at  whose  sale  in  Chicago  she 
brought  in  connection  with  her  bull  calf  $1,875. 

Mimulus  produced  one  heifer,  that  was  sold  to 
Messrs.  Potts.    We  are  without  information,  how- 
ever, as  to  her  career.    The  imported  cow  produced 
several  bulls,  however,  all  of  which  were  exception- 
ally good,  the  best  of  them  being  the  roan  Barmpton 
Hero  (324  C.  H.    B.),    by    imp.    Royal    Barmpton 
(45503),  sold  as  a  calf  to  Messrs.  Watt  of  Canada 
and  used  in  their  herd  until  thirteen  years  old.    He 
w^as  shown  for  many  years,  gaining  more  than  thirty 
prizes,  and  was  never  beaten  but  once,  and  then  by 
a  bull, that  he  had  always  defeated  on  every  other 
occasion.     Barmpton  Hero,  it  is  claimed,  has  been 
the  progenitor  of  more  prize  stock  in  Canada  in  re- 
cent years  than  any  other  bull  of  his  time.    His  blood 
could  be  traced  for  several  generations  among  the 
prize-winners  at  Toronto  and  other  leading  Domin- 
ion shows  and  is  to  this  day  a  frequent  subject  of 
comment  in  Canada.    He  inherited  the  robust  con- 
stitution of  his  Sittyton  ancestors,  and  one  who  ex- 
amined him  at  tw^elve  years  of  age  says :    "I  saw  him 
shortly  before  he  went  to  the  butcher,  and  he  was 
still  as  spry  and  active  as  a  kitten.'' 

Unfortunately  the  other  sons  of  Mimulus  did  not 
have  an  equal  opportunity  for  distinguishing  them- 
selves; as  they  did  not  go  into  herds  where  they 
could  make  an  effective  impression.  VieWed  in  the 
light  of  the  accomplishments  of  Royal  Duke  of  Glos- 
ter  at  Sittyton  and  of  Barmpton  Hero  in  Canada,  it 


644  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

will  always  be  a  source  of  regret  that  the  Mimulus 
blood  was  not  appreciated  more  thoroughly  at  the 
time  it  was  available.  Speaking  upon  this  point  Mr. 
Dry  den  says:  "None  of  us  knew  the  exact  value  of 
these  animals  and  of  others  which  have  passed 
through  our  hands  until  it  was  too  late.'' 

In  1873  Mr.  Dry  den  imported  from  Sittyton  the 
roan  heifer  Columbia,  by  Lord  Lancaster  (26666), 
and  the  great  roan  bull  Eoyal  Barmpton  (45503),  by 
Lord  Landsdowne  (29128)  out  of  Butterfly's  Delight 
by  Allan.  Eoyal  Barmpton  was  undoubtedly  the 
best  bull  Mr.  Dryden  ever  owned  or  used.  He  was 
considered  so  valuable  as  a  sire  that  it  was  deemed 
injudicious  to  put  him  in  high  condition  for  the 
shows.  He  was  nevertheless  successfully  exhibited 
upon  several  occasions.  He  was  seen  at  one  of  the 
Provincial  shows  in  even  thinner  condition  than 
usual,  and  it  was  scarcely  thought  possible  that  he 
could  head  his  class,  but  he  was  always  remarkably 
smooth  and  grew  on  one  the  more  he  was  examined. 
In  spite  of  his  lack  .of  condition  he  gained  first  hon- 
ors in  this  instance,  receiving  under  the  rule  of  the 
society  at  that  time  three  times  the  amount  of  the 
prize  money  on  account  of  his  being  imported. 
Eoyal  Barmpton  was  finally  sold  to  Mr.  Jordan  of 
Iowa.  In  1880  Mr.  Dryden  bought  from  Mr.  Cruick- 
shank  the  four  heifers  Sunbeam,  Violet  Bud,  Orange 
Blossom  SOth  and  Barmpton  Violet,  together  with 
the  bulls  Baron  Surmise  (45933)  and  Lancaster 
Eoyal.    Baron  Surmise  afterward  became  the  prop- 


RISE    OF    SCOTCH    POWER   IN    AMERICA  645 

erty  of  Col.  C.  A.  DeGraff  of  Minnesota.  Violet  Bud 
was  sold  to  Mr.  Kissinger,  from  whom  she  was  pur- 
chased by  Col.  W.  A.  Harris.  In  May,  1881,  Mr. 
Dryden  brought  out  from  Sittyton  the  heifers  Vic- 
toria 69th  (sold  to  Kissinger  and  by  him  to  Col. 
Harris),  Com  Flower,  Sultana  and  Flora  17th.  In 
1882  he  imported  Lavender  30th,  Victoria  72d,  Lav- 
ender Pride  and  the  bulls  Lord  Glamis  (48192)  and 
Aberdeen  Champion  (47313).  In  1883  the  roan  heif- 
ers Arbutus  and  Lovely  37th  were  imported. 

Mr.  Dryden  is  known  throughout  Canada  as  one 
of  the  best  farmers  in  the  Dominion,  and  has  been 
called  into  public  life  as  Minister  of  Agriculture  for 
the  Province  of  Ontario.  He  has  always  maintained 
the  position  that  Short-horns  should  be  bred  for 
practical  and  useful  purposes,  regardless  of  the 
whims  and  fancies  of  fashion.  Believing,  with  oth- 
ers, that  it  was  inexpedient  to  endeavor  to  sustain 
the  Cruickshank  tribes  in  their  purity  for  an  indefi- 
nite period,  Mr.  Dryden  was  deeply  interested  in 
Mr.  Edward  Cruickshank 's  experiment  at  Lethenty 
in  seeking  a  fresh  cross  for  the  Sittyton  stock 
through  the  medium  of  the  Longmore  cows,  refer- 
ence to  which  is  made  on  page  624.  When,  there- 
fore, Edward  Cruickshank  decided  to  give  up  breed- 
ing on  his  own  account  in  1887  Mr.  Dryden  pur- 
chased his  herd  and  imported  it  into  Canada.  We 
quote  his  own  statement  as  to  this  herd  as  follows: 
It  included  forty  animals — thirty  females  and  ten  bulls. 
Among  the  bulls  were  two  which  were  afterward  somewhat  used 


646  A  HISTOEY  OF   SHORT-HOE X   CATTLE 

in  my  herd — Sussex,  bred  at  Sittyton,  and  Patriot,  bred  at  Leth- 
enty.  Of  the  females  twenty-four  were  descendants  from  pur- 
chases at  Sittyton  and  the  remaining  six  were  descendants  of 
the  five  superior  cows  bought  at  the  dispersion  sale  of  Mr.  Long- 
more  at  Rettie,  all  of  them  being  sired  by  Sittyton  bulls  and 
some  having  more  than  one  cross.  The  theory  Mr.  Ed.  Cruick- 
shank  had  was  that  from  among  these  cows  he  would  be  able 
with  a  cross  of  Sittyton  blood  to  secure  a  bull  or  bulls  which 
would  nick  well  with  the  Cruickshank  cattle.  This  was  at  a 
time  when  Amos  Cruickshank  himself  felt  that  in-and-in  breed- 
ing had  been  continued  as  far  as  was  prudent,  and  he  also  was 
looking  for  outside  material  of  this  kind.  These  Longmore  cows 
I  saw  in  Edward  Cruickshank's  herd  some  years  before  and  they 
were  splendid  animals  of  great  scale  and  good  milking  qualities, 
but  with  scarcely  the  early  maturing  qualities  which  were  found 
in  the  Sittyton  cattle. 

Of  the  bulls  obtained  from  Mr.  Cruickshank  three  are  worthy 
of  Special  mention.  The  most  attractive  was  Red  Emperor 
71419,  by  Perfection  out  of  the  old  Sittyton  cow  Harmony  by 
Pride  of  the  Isles.  Harmony  belonged  to  the  Goldie  family  of 
Mr.  Marr's  herd.  Red  Emperor  was  sold  to  L.  Miller  of  Ivlary- 
ville.  Mo.,  and  won  many  prizes  in  the  West.  The  next  was 
Sussex,  belonging  to  the  Secret  family,  and  a  very  thick  and 
massive  animal.  Another  bull  which  has  done  good  service  was 
Pioneer,  sold  to  Mr.  W.  C.  Edwards.  He  was  out  of  one  of  the 
Rettie  cows  with  two  or  three  crosses  of  Sittyton  blood  on  the 
top.  He  was  successfully  used  by  Mr.  Edwards  and  was  the  sire 
of  several  prize-winning  animals.  In  conversation  with  Mr.  Ed- 
wards a  few  days  ago  he  stated  that  this  was  the  most  success- 
ful bull  he  had  had  up  to  the  present. 

Of  the  Sittyton  females  at  Lethenty  two  families  are  worthy 
of  special  mention,  namely,  the  Brawith  Buds  headed  by  the 
Sittyton  cow  Grizelda,  by  Royal  Violet.  This  cow  I  had  seen  in 
the  herd  some  years  before  and  she  was  perhaps  the  choice  ani- 
mal at  that  time.  She  was  an  exceedingly  steady  and  good 
breeder.  Two  of  the  best  that  I  imported  of  that  family  were 
Winterberry,  sired  by  Cawdor,  used  at  Sittyton,  and  Orange 
Flower,  sired  by  Perfection  out  of  Winterberry.  Orange  Flower 
is  still  one  of  the  herd  at  Maple  Shade.     Both  these  cows  were 


RISE    OF    SCOTCH    POWER    IN"    AMERICA  647 

exceptionally  low  to  the  ground  and  of  great  breadth  and  splen- 
did heart  room.  They  always  deceived  every  one  who  undertook 
to  guess  their  weight.  Some  of  the  other  animals  of  the  herd 
which  looked  very  much  larger  could  not  bring  down  the  scales 
near  to  either  of  them.  Of  the  Jessie  family,  represented  by  the 
cow  Roseberry,  bred  at  Sittyton,  the  two  best  cows  were  Bram- 
bleberry  and  Rowanberry,  the  first  by  Perfection  and  the  second 
by  Prince  Rufus,  bred  at  Lethenty  and  sired  by  Perfection. 
Brambleberry  was  a  splendid  cow  of  considerable  scale  and  low  to 
the  ground.  Rowanberry  was  of  greater  scale  and  greater  length. 
Of  the  Rettie  lot  secured  I  have  always  had  a  leaning  for 
the  progeny  of  the  cow  Northern  Belle. 

Arthur  Johnston. — The  importation  in  1874  of  a 
pair  of  Scotch  heifers  in  connection  with  Mr.  Bir- 
rell  constituted  the  first  investment  made  by  Arthur 
Johnston  of  Greenwood  in  imported  Short-horns.  In 
1881  he  brought  out  from  Kent,  England,  the  red 
bull  Lewis  Arundel  46433,  bred  by  Messrs.  Leney 
&  Son.  In  1883  he  imported  the  English-bred  Sta- 
tira  Duchess  2d  and  the  Scotch-bred  bulls  Capt. 
Errant  and  Bold  Buccleuch.  In  August,  1884,  he 
brought  out  from  Mr.  Duthie's  the  roan  bull  Eclipse 
by  Earl  of  March  (33807),  and  in  October  of  the 
same  year  he  landed  a  large  and  excellent  importa- 
tion which  included  the  white  Sittyton  heifer  All- 
spice, an  own  sister  to  the  celebrated  Field  Marshal ; 
four  Lancaster  heifers  bred  by  Nathaniel  Eeid  of 
Aberdeenshire;  two  Clarets,  a  Nonpareil  and  two 
Eosebuds  from  Kinellar,  and  eight  young  bulls, 
seven  of  which  were  of  S.  Campbell 's  breeding. 

Mr.  Johnston  made  several  subsequent  importa- 
tions and  was  the  owner  of  the  noted  roan  Cruick- 
shank  Victoria  bull  Indian  Chief  98651,  the  sire  of 


648  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOKT-HOEN   CATTLE 

some  successful  show  stock,  including  the  fine  roan 
bull  Nonpareil  Chief  113034  (a  Kinellar  Nonpareil), 
sold  to  Col.  T.  S.  Moberley  of  Kentucky,  and  exhib- 
ited in  the  States. 

Miscellaneous  Canadian  importations. — In  1871 
W.  B.  Telfer  of  Fergus  imported  the  heifers  Duch- 
ess of  Kent  and  Royal  Alice  from  the  herd  of  W. 
Chalmers  of  Old  What,  Aberdeenshire,  and  the  bull 
His  Royal  Highness  (28860)  from  same  herd.  In 
1874  W.  Major  of  Whitedale  imported  five  heifers 
and  two  bulls  from  the  herd  of  James  Currie,  Hal- 
kerston,  near  Edinburgh,  followed  in  1875  by  a  ship- 
ment of  three  heifers  from  the  herd  of  J.  W.  Phil- 
lips, Staffordshire,  England,  and  one  from  the 
Berkeley  Castle  herd  of  Lord  Fitzhardinge. 

In  1874  Messrs.  Birrell  &  Johnston  of  Greenwood 
brought  out  from  Uppermill  the  dark-roan  yearling 
heifer  Alexandrina  6th,  and  from  the  herd  of  James 
Bruce  of  Burnside  the  red  yearling  Priscilla  7th,  by 
Lord  St.  Leonards,  a  half-sister  to  imp.  Duke  of 
Richmond  (21525).  In  1875  William  Collum  of 
Haysville  imported  Aggie  Buckingham  and  Airy 
Buckingham,  of  Amos  Cruickshank's  breeding;  the 
heifers  Dorothy  and  Viscountess  2d,  bred  by  John 
Law  of  Aberdeenshire,  and  the  bull  Liberator,  bred 
by  Robert  Bruce. 

In  1883  Thomas  Russell  of  Exeter  brought  out  the 
heifers  Border  Charm  and  Border  Pride,  of  Wil- 
liam Duthie's  breeding,  along  with  two  other  heif- 
ers from  the  herds  of  A.  Davidson  and  John  John- 


RISE    OF    SCOTCH    POWER    IX    AMERICA  649 

son,  and  the  red  bull  Lord  Ythan,  bred  by  Mr.  Dutliie 
from  the  Cruickshank  bull  Shapinshay  out  of  Lovely 
25th.  •  In  May,  1883,  Francis  Green  of  Innerkip 
made  an  important  importation,  including  Mysie 
34th,  bred  by  A.  Scott  of  Towie  Barclay;  Jewel  8th, 
Countess  5th  and  Eliza  9th,  from  Mr.  Duthie's;  Cle- 
matic,  from  Sittyton;  Princess  Eoyal  23d,  in  calf  to 
Athabasca,  Patchiulo,  Clara  40th,  and  the  bull  Earl 
of  Mar  (47815),  of  the  Emma  tribe,  from  Mr.  Marr's. 

In  1884  Green  Bros,  of  Innerkip  imported  four 
heifers  from  the  North  of  Scotland  and  the  bulls 
Enterprise  and  Earl  of  Eoseberry  from  the  herds  of 
Messrs.  Duthie  and  Marr  respectivelye  Beginning 
with  1878  and  continuing  until  1882,  Mr.  George 
Whitfield  shipped  out  to  his  farm  at  Rougemont, 
Quebec,  some  fifty  head  of  Short-horns  from  various 
Scotch,  English  and  Irish  herds.  But  while  these 
represented  some  of  the  best  British  blood,  they 
scarcely  received  that  attention  at  Eougemont  neces- 
sary to  render  them  of  special  value  to  American 
herds.  They  were  finally  scattered  without  having 
left  much  impress  on  the  trade. 

The  lies  importation  into  Illinois. — The  first  direct 
importation  of  Aberdeenshire  cattle  into  the  West- 
ern States,  with  the  exception  of  the  pair  included 
in  the  Illinois  Importing  Co.'s  shipment  of  1857,  was 
selected  by  one  of  America's  most  famous  herds- 
men, David  Grant,  for  Mr.  Edward  lies  of  Spring- 
field, 111.,  in  August,  1874.  Earely  has  it  ever  fallen 
to  the  lot  of  one  man  to  buy  two  such  celebrities  in 


650  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HOEN   CATTLE 

embryo  as  were  developed  from  this  small  purchase 
of  six  head.  There  was  but  one  bull  in  the  lot,  but 
he  proved  a  maker  of  history.  This  was  Duke  of 
Eichmond  21525,  of  Bruce 's  breeding.  There  was 
but  one  Cruickshank  heifer  in  the  lot — Orange  Blos- 
som 18th,  by  Viceroy  (32764)  out  of  Orange  Blossom 
14th  by  Knight  of  the  Whistle  (26558) ;  second  dam 
Orange  Blossom  12th  by  Prince  Imperial  (22595). 
Both  of  these  animals  were  yearlings  at  the  time  of 
their  importation.  Both  were  sold  to  J.  H.  Kissin- 
ger ;  the  Duke  at  the  American  record  price  of  $4,500 
for  a  Scotch  bull  and  the  heifer  at  $2,500.  The  latter 
was  bought  later  on  by  Mrs.  Kimberly  of  Iowa  at 
the  record  price  for  a  Scotch  female  of  $3,500.  It 
thus  appears  that  these  two  yearlings  reached  a 
combined  value  of  $8,000. 

Concerning  Orange  Blossom  18th  Mr.  Kissinger 
says :  ' '  She  was  a  great  heifer,  a  splendid  specimen 
of  her  noble  race;  a  very  short-legged,  thick,  heavy- 
fleshed  animal,  such  as  it  was  my  delight  to  handle. 
I  considered  her  one  of  the  best  heifers  that  ever 
crossed  the  waters  or  was  ever  bred  by  that  grand 
old  man — Amos  Cruickshank."* 


*  Orange  Blossom  18  th  undoubtedly  owed  her  extraordinary  merit 
very  largely  to  her  sire.  Viceroy,  that  was  got  by  Champion  of  England 
out  of  the  great  show  cow  Violet's  Forth.  The  bull  Knight  of  the 
Whistle  that  sired  her  dam  was  a  roan,  bred  by  Mr.  Foljambe  of  Os- 
berton  Hall,  and  got  by  the  Booth  bull  Knight  of  the  Garter  (22062). 
It  will  be  noted  that  the  second  dam  was  sired  by  the  Booth  bull  Prince 
Imperial  (22.595).  Notwithstanding  this  fact,  Mr.  Cruickshank  always 
claimed  that  his  herd  never  received  the  benefit  he  had  anticipated 
from  tlie  Booth  blood.  His  experience  with  Bates  blood,  as  it  came 
in  through  cows  pvirchased  for  the  herd,  did  not  induce  him  to  place 
a  very  high  estimate  upon  that  for  his  purposes.  As  we  must  accept 
his  judgment  upon  both  of  these  points — so  far  as  it  applies  to  his  own 
work — arrived  at  after  careful  trial,  it  seems  clear  that  Orange  Blos- 
som 18th  derived  her  excellence  from  her  sire's  side  of  the  house. 


RISE    OF    SCOTCH    POWER   IX    AMERICA  651 

In  the  herd  of  J.  H.  Potts  &  Son  the  Duke  of  Eich- 
mond  scored  such  a  success  both  as  a  sire  and  show 
bull  that  he  is  generally  credited  with  having  con- 
tributed as  much  toward  making  the  reputation  of 
Scotch  sires  in  America  as  any  other  one  animal 
ever  imported. 

In  addition  to  the  celebrated  animals  named  Mr. 
lies  imported  Missie  40th  from  Uppermill  and  the 
heifers  Flora  3d,  Flora  7th  and  Flora  Belle,  bred  by 
J.  Gordon,  Cluny  Castle,  Aberdeenshire. 

Robert  Milne  of  Kelvin  Grove. — Following  the 
lies  importation  there  came  the  same  year  from 
Sittyton  a  carefully-chosen  and  exceedingly  valuable 
lot,  consisting  of  seven  females  and  one  bull,  select- 
ed just  at  the  right  time  to  secure  the  richest  of  the 
Cruickshank  blood.  The  great  Aberdeenshire  herd 
was  then  nearing  its  period  of  highest  excellence. 
Mr.  Milne  was  a  native  Aberdonian  who  enjoyed  the 
friendship  and  respect  of  Mr.  Cruickshank,  and 
there  can  be  no  doubt  that  he  secured  in  this  im- 
portation some  of  the  very  best  cattle  ever  sent  to 
American  shores.  He  had  been  breeding  Short- 
horns at  his  Kelvin  Grove  Farm,  near  Lockport,  111., 
for  many  years;  in  fact,  he  was  one  of  the  pioneer 
breeders  of  the  State  of  his  adoption.  Like  Amos 
Cruickshank,  he  held  that  the  Short-horn's  chief 
mission  was  to  convert  the  ordinary  foodstuffs  of 
the  farm  into  prime  beef  at  a  profit  to  his  owner. 
Substance,  constitution  and  thrift  were  with  him  car- 
dinal points,  and  in  this  admirable  selection  from 


652  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOKT-HOKN   CATTLE 

Sittyton  those  characteristics  found  full  exemplifi- 
cation. We  believe  that  the  animals  were  picked  by- 
Mr.  Cruickshank  himself  with  a  view  toward  fur- 
nishing Mr.  Milne  with  a  foundation  stock  that 
should  represent  the  best  Sittyton  type. 

The  bull  selected  was  the  red  Viscount  18507, 
calved  in  1872,  and  sired  by  Lord  Landsdowne 
(29128)  out  of  the  good  cow  Eed  Violet  by  Allan 
(21272);  second  dam  the  famous  Violet  by  Lord 
Bathurst  (13173).  Lord  Landsdowne  was  by  Caesar 
Augustus,  descending  on  the  dam's  side  through 
the  Lovelys.  Viscount's  development  exceeded  Mr. 
Milne's  most  sanguine  expectations.  He  matured 
into  a  bull  of  extraordinary  breadth  of  body  and 
depth  of  flesh.  Indeed  it  is  doubtful  if  a  better  sire 
has  been  known  in  Western  Short-honi  herds;  his 
get  inheriting  his  substance  and  capacity  for  laying 
on  flesh  even  to  the  second  and  third  generations; 
his  daughters  and  granddaughters  in  the  herds  of 
Messrs.  Milne,  Aldrich  of  Tiskilwa,  and  Cummings 
of  Buda  possessing  great  scale  and  thickness  and 
were  frequently  heavy  milkers. 

The  females  of  this  importation  were  as  follows: 
The  roan  Butterfly  34th;  the  red  Butterfly  37th,  by 
Champion  of  England;  the  roan  Corianda,  out  of  the 
great  Canuine  Rose  by  Champion  of  England;  the 
red  Secrecy,  by  the  greatest  son  of  Champion  of 
England— Grant  Duke  of  Gloster  (26288);  the  red 
Bridal  Flower,  by  Scotland's  Pride  out  of  Bride 
Elect  by  Lord  Raglan ;  the  red  Glitter,  out  of  a  Bra- 


KISE    OF    SCOTCH   POWER   I>^    AMERICA  653 

with  Bud  cow  by  Champion  of  England,  and  the 
roan  Autumn  Flower,  out  of  Autumn  Leaf  by  Cham- 
pion of  England.  Mr.  Cruickshank  must  have  part- 
ed with  this  richly-bred  consignment  with  extreme 
reluctance,  but  he  never  did  a  bed:teT  stroke  of" 
business,  so  far  as  building  up  American  trade 
was  concerned,  than  when  he  forwarded  these 
to  Illinois.  Many  of  the  best  show  and  breeding 
cattle  of  the  past  twenty  years  in  this  countty 
have  carried  the  blood  of  this  Eobert  Milne  impor- 
tation. 

Lowman  and  Smiths'  importations.  —  Ranking 
well  up  with  the  Eobert  Milne  purchases,  and  ex- 
ceeding the  Kelvin  Grove  lot  in  numbers,  the  ship- 
ments of  Sittyton  and  Uppermill  stock  made  by 
Mr.  Davis  Lowman  and  Messrs.  Smith  of  Toulon, 
111.,  in  1875  and  1876  hold  a  place  in  Western  Short- 
horn history  second  to  few  other  importations  of  the 
century.  The  first  lot,  brought  out  in  June,  1875, 
included  the  roan  Lovely  18th,  the  red  Butterflys 
45th  and  46th  from  Mr.  Cruickshank 's,  and  Missie 
35th,  Goldy  18th  and  Eed  Lady  3d  from  Mr.  Marr's, 
besides  Geraldine  7tli,  bred  by  J.  Cochrane  of  Little 
Haddo.  Mr.  A.  J.  Dunlap  of  Galesburg,  111.,  bought 
Lovely  18th  at  $1,010  and  Butterfly  46th  at  $850. 
For  Eed  Lady  3d  Messrs.  Pickrell  gave  $1,200,  and 
for  Missie  35th  Edward  lies  paid  $635.  Butterfly 
45th  and  Goldie  18th  were  sold  to  John  Bond,  Abing- 
don, 111.  The  shipment  of  1876  included  Orange 
Blossom  25tli  from  Sittyton,  that  was  sold  to  L. 


654  A  HISTORY  OF  SHORT-lIORN^   CATTLE 

Hanna  of  Waveland,  Ind.,  for  $705,  and  afterward 
became  the  property  of  Aaron  Plumley  of  West 
Liberty,  la.  There  also  came  out  on  the  same  ship, 
as  the  individual  property  of  Mr.  Lowman,  a  roan 
heifer  known  as  Victoria  51st,  bred  at  Sittyton  and 
sired  by  Koyal  Duke  of  Gloster  (29684)  out  of  a 
daughter  of  Victoria  39th  by  Champion  of  England. 
This  heifer  was  sold  soon  after  importation  to  Mr. 
Verry  Aldrich  of  Tiskilwa,  111.,  for  $600,  and  be- 
came the  ancestress  of  one  of  the  best  families  of 
Cruickshank  cattle  of  which  there  is  record  in  this 
country.  Her  daughters  and  granddaughters  were 
grand,  big,  massive  cows,  with  wonderful  backs, 
great  depth,  remarkable  wealth  of  flesh,  and  were 
frequently  fine  milkers.  One  branch  of  this  family 
passed  into  the  possession  of  Messrs.  Cummings, 
Buda,  111.,  and  later  acquired  great  reputation  in  the 
herds  of  Messrs.  Sanger  of  Waukesha,  Wis.,  Col.  W. 
A.  Harris  of  Linwood  and  C.  B.  Dustin  of  Summer 
Hill,  111.  The  champion  show  cow  Victoria  of  Hick- 
ory Park,  of  this  line,  was  one  of  the  finest  types  of 
finish,  flesh  and  substance  ever  seen  in  Western 
shows.  She  died  a  few  years  since,  the  property  of 
Messrs.  Dustin.  This  shipment  was  also  remarkable 
as  including  the  good  breeding  cow  Emma  3d,  of 
Uppermill  breeding,  that  was  bought  by  Messrs. 
Potts  for  $700.  In  their  possession  she  lived  to  an 
advanced  age,  giving  birth  to  many  high-class  ani- 
mals, among  others  the  celebrated  twin  show  heifers 
Emma  4th  and  Emma  5th.     Missie    39th,    of    Mr. 


RISE    OF    SCOTCH    POWEE    IN^    AMERICA  655 

Marr's  breeding,  and  Sybil  IStli,  from  Sittyton,  were 
also  of  this  lot. 

Scotch  success  at  the  shows. — Col.  William  S. 
King  had  given  the  Western  States  an  inkling  as  to 
the  superior  flesh  and  substance  of  the  Scotch  type 
of  cattle,  and  J.  H.  Kissinger  of  Missouri,  Messrs. 
Day  of  Iowa,  and  some  of  their  contemporaries  had 
carried  the  demonstration  of  their  feeding  quality  to 
a  convincing  conclusion.  About  1877  the  Herefords 
were  pressing  hard  for  recognition  at  the  great  Na- 
tional shows,  and  those  who  bore  the  brunt  of  the 
assault  in  behalf  of  the  Short-horns  found  in  the 
North  Country  tribes  a  class  of  cattle  that  had  the 
constitution  to  withstand  heavy  feeding,  and  that 
possessed  the  requisite  capacity  for  taking  on  flesh 
at  an  early  age. 

Potts  and  the  Duke  of  Richmond. — Foremost 
among  those  who  contested  every  inch  of  the  Here- 
ford advance  of  that  period  stood  John  H.  Potts  & 
Son  of  Oakland  Farm,  Jacksonville,  111.  Mr.  Potts 
had  made  a  modest  beginning  in  1868  by  the  pur- 
chase of  the  cow  Belle  Moreland,  tracing  on  the 
dam's  side  to  imp.  Amelia  by  Plato.  She  carried 
a  cross  of  the  blood  of  the  Sanders  importation  of 
1817,  and,  although  a  cow  of  great  individual  merit, 
was  purchased  at  the  low  price  of  $95.  Within  six 
years  $1,800  worth  of  her  descendants  had  been  sold. 
Mr.  Potts  had  the  good  fortune  early  in  his  career 
to  secure  the  valuable  show  and  breeding  bull  Mas- 
ter Geneva  20368,  bred  in  Kentucky  and  sired  by 


656  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Prince  Geneva,  of  Ben  Bedford's  Desdemona  blood, 
out  of  the  White  Rose  cow  Fannie  2d  by  Stonewall 
Jackson  12988.  An  illustration  of  this  bull  appears 
in  Vol.  XIV  of  the  American  Herd  Book.  He  was 
a  red  w^eighing  in  show  condition  2,500  lbs.,  and  it 
was  with  a  herd  headed  by  him  that  Messrs.  Potts 
first  engaged  in  the  show  business;  their  initial 
appearance  being  at  the  Illinois  State  Fair  at  Peoria 
in  1874.  Master  Geneva  was  a  capital  stock-getter, 
and  Mr.  A.  J.  Dunlap  once  offered  $2,500  for  him. 

In  May,  1876,  Messrs.  Potts  bought  the  famous 
imported  Scotch-bred  bull  Duke  of  Richmond  21525 
from  J.  H.  Kissinger.  He  was  a  red,  calved  in  1873, 
bred  by  James  Bruce  of  Burnside,  Fochabers,  Scot- 
land, sired  by  Lord  St.  Leonards  (29202)  out  of 
Fannie  by  Royal  Errant  (22780).  His  sire.  Lord  St. 
Leonards,  was  a  roan,  bred  by  Fawkes  of  Fameley 
Hall.  Royal  Errant  was  of  the  Duke  of  Buccleuch  's 
breeding,  and  was  the  sire  of  many  celebrated  show 
cattle,  among  others  the  bull  Scotsman  (27435),  a 
winner  at  the  English  Royal,  imported  by  Mr.  Coch- 
rane and  famous  in  the  celebrated  Lyndale  show 
herd  of  Col.  William  S.  King.  The  Duke  of  Rich- 
mond had  been  imported  by  Mr.  lies  of  Springfield 
in  1874  as  a  yearling,  and  was  shown  for  him  by 
J.  H.  Pickrell  at  the  fall  fairs  of  that  year.  He  was 
a  youngster  of  such  unusual  promise  that  Messrs. 
Kissinger  and  Spears  both  wanted  him  for  their 
show  herds.  He  had  cost  Mr.  lies  $800,  but  the  com- 
petition for  his  possession  in  the  fall  of  1875  was  so 


RISE    OF    SCOTCH   POWER   INT    AMERICA  657 

keen  that  Mr.  Kissinger  was  compelled  to  pay  $4,500 
for  him,  in  addition  to  giving  six  services  valued  at 
$50  each.  In  the  spring  of  1876  Mr.  Kissinger  de- 
cided to  disperse  his  show  stock,  and  it  was  then 
that  Messrs.  Potts  acquired  the  bull  at  $2,250,  be- 
sides the  show  cow  Mattie  Richardson  and  other 
noted  animals.  Duke  of  Richmond  was  of  medium 
size,  but  carried  a  rare  wealth  of  thick  flesh  in  com- 
pact form.  He  had  breadth  and  depth  without  su- 
perfluous height,  and  during  the  campaigns  of  1876 
and  1877  proved  fairly  invincible.  Mr.  Potts  had 
purchased  in  1875  the  imported  Scotch-bred  heifer 
Priscilla  7th,  also  bred  by  Bruce  of  Burnside  and 
got  by  Lord  St.  Leonards,  the  sire  of  Duke  of  Rich- 
mond, and  had  also  acquired  the  imported  Cruick- 
shank  cow  Red  Lady. 

At  the  Illinois  State  Fair  of  1877  Mr.  C.  M.  Cul- 
bertson  exhibited  the  strongest  herd  of  Herefords 
yet  seen  in  the  United  States,  with  the  famous  bull 
Anxiety  at  its  head.  Grave  fears  were  entertained 
in  the  Short-horn  camp  that  the  ''white-faces"' 
might  bear  away  the  herd  championship,  and  had  it 
not  been  for  the  stock  of  Messrs.  Potts  they  would 
undoubtedly  have  accomplished  that  trick.  The  herd 
which  thus  successfully  defended  the  honor  of  the 
breed  at  a  crucial  period  in  its  history  consisted  of 
imp.  Duke  of  Richmond,  his  half-sister  imp.  Pris- 
cilla 7th ;  two  daughters  of  Master  Geneva,  Josie  2d 
(a  Pomona)  and  Geneva's  Pride  (tracing  to  imp. 
Julia  by  Young  Grant) ;  Mattie  Richardson,  an  Ame- 


658  A  HISTORY  OF  SHORT-HORN  CATTLE 

lia  of  Kissinger's  breeding,  and  Cassa  20tli,  a  Rosa- 
bella, sired  by  Leonard's  Monarch.  It  is  difficult 
for  breeders  of  the  present  day  to  realize  the  tension 
that  existed  in  these  first  great  show-yard  battles 
with  the  Herefords  in  the  West.  The  "white-faces" 
were  then  a  comparative  novelty  on  this  side  of  the 
water  and  some  were  predicting  that  they  would 
soon  supplant  the  Short-horns  entirely.  It  was  felt 
that  a  serious  situation  confronted  the  Short-horn 
breeding  fraternity,  and  on  this  account  it  is  difficult 
to  overestimate  the  value  of  the  service  rendered  at 
that  time  by  the  Messrs.  Potts. 

The  Fanny  Airdrie  ''nick."— Fortunately  the 
Duke  of  Eichmond  proved  a  most  impressive  sire. 
Mated  with  American-bred  cows  possessing  scale 
and  finish,  he  gave  Western  show-yards  and  breed- 
ing herds  a  class  of  stock  of  such  undoubted  merit 
for  the  feed-lot  and  the  block  that  for  many  years 
his  descendants  in  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Potts  and 
their  contemporaries  figured  conspicuously  in  the 
prize  lists  of  all  the  leading  State  fairs  and  fat-stock 
shows.  While  the  Duke  of  Richmond  was  backed 
up  in  the  herd  by  the  Marr-bred  Emmas,  the  Sans- 
pareils,  and  later  by  capital  Cruickshank  cows  and 
bulls,  the  creation  of  the  Fannie  Airdries  by  the 
"nick"  of  Richmond  blood  upon  a  Young  Mary  cow 
bred  at  James  N.  Brown's  Sons'  Grove  Park  Farm, 
supplied  sweeping  proof  of  the  value  of  the  "beefy" 
Scotch-bred  bull  as  a  cross  upon  the  native  tribes. 
These  Fannies  were  thick-meated,  wide-backed,  fine- 


RISE    OF    SCOTCH    POWER    IN"    AMERICA  659 

boned,  low-legged  Short-horns,  quite  the  equal  of 
the  best  Scotch  sorts  as  individuals,  and  possessed 
the  faculty  of  breeding  on  satisfactorily  from  one 
generation  to  another.  The  red  bull  Proud  Duke 
36660,  got  by  the  imported  bull  out  of  old  Fannie 
Airdrie,  the  matron  of  the  family,  not  only  won 
many  first  and  championship  prizes  but  was  success- 
fully crossed  upon  the  Sittyton  Lavenders  at  Oak- 
land, one  branch  of  which  has  proved  such  a  valuable 
sort  in  the  Hill  Farm  herd  of  Messrs.  Dustin. 

Frederick  William  and  **the  twins."  —  Another 
famous  son  of  the  Duke  of  Kichmond  was  the  mass- 
ive red  Frederick  William  23195,  out  of  Sanspareil 
25th.  He  was  the  sire  of  the  far-famed  twin  show 
cows  Emma  4th  and  Emma  5th,  bred  by  Messrs. 
Potts  from  Emma  3d,  imported  from  Uppermill. 
The  twins  were  red  cows  of  great  scale  and  sub- 
stance and  wonderful  flesh-carriers.  For  several 
seasons  they  were  the  best  Short-horn  cows  on  the 
show  circuit.  Frederick  William  was  also  exhibited 
with  success  by  Messrs.  Potts  as  well  as  by  the  late 
Eobert  Miller  of  West  Liberty,  la. 

A  line  of  Cruickshank  sires. — These  bulls  were 
followed  in  service  by  the  imported  Cruickshank 
sires  Antiquaiy  49774,  a  large,  deep-bodied  red, 
sired  by  Pride  of  the  Isles  out  of  Azalea,  the  dam 
of  Field  Marshal;  Von  Tromp  54160,  a  massive, 
broad-ribbed  Victoria  by  Barmpton,  that  won  many 
first  and  championship  prizes,  and  King  of  Aber- 
deen 75747,  a  thick-fleshed,  short-legged  red  of  the 


660  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Violet  tribe  sired  by  Dunblane  65995.    King  of  Aber- 
deen was  one  of  the  last  of  the  good  bulls  of  Amos 
Cruickshank's  own  breeding  used  in  the  West.    All 
these  were  supplied  by  Jas.  I.  Davidson  of  Canada. 
Twenty  years  in  the  show-yard. — For  a  period  of 
twenty  years  the  Potts  herd  was  seen  almost  con- 
tinuously in  the  show-yard;  meeting  during  that 
time  all  of  the  great  contemporary  Short-horn  herds 
besides  the  Hereford  and  Aberdeen- Angus  host,  and 
it  is  speaking  within  bounds  to  say  that  during  these 
two  decades  the  Oakland  herd  probably  won  more 
prizes  than  any  other  cattle-breeding  establishment 
in  North  America.    It  is  but  justice  to  add  that  in 
the  triumphal  tours  of  the  ''seventies"  a  consider- 
able share  of  the  credit  for  success  was  due  to  the 
skill  of  Mr.  Harry  Loveland  as  a  feeder.    Loveland 
was  one  of  the  recognized  experts  of  his  time  in 
the  United   States  in  this  line  of  work,   and  had 
come  to  Oakland  from  the  herd  of  Kigdon  Huston 
&  Sons,  Blandinsville,  111.    He  subsequently  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Hereford  exhibitors  and  repeated 
with  Beau  Eeal  and  other  '  Svhite-f aces "  his  suc- 
cesses with  Short-horns.    For  the  major  portion  of 
the  time,  however,  that  the  Jacksonville  herd  was  in 
the  thick  of  the  fight  it  was  under  the  immediate 
personal  supervision  of  Mr.  William  T.  Potts  (the 
son),  under  whose  alert  direction  the  Oakland  Short- 
horns rounded  out  a  record  at  American  fairs  and 
fat-stock  shows  that  has  not  been  surpassed  in  the 
annals  of  American  cattle-breeding. 


RISE    OF    SCOTCH    POWER    IN    AMERICA  661 

The  Wilhoit  herd. — In  a  previous  chapter  we  have 
referred  to  Mr.  Thomas  Wilhoit,  one  of  the  pioneer 
breeders  of  the  State  of  Indiana.  A  cross  of  the 
Scotch  blood  upon  his  herd  in  the  later  years  of  his 
breeding  produced  such  extraordinary  results  that 
the  circumstance  must  be  here  recognized  as  another 
one  of  the  various  causes  leading  up  to  the  popular- 
ity of  the  North  Country  Short-horns  in  the  West. 

One  of  James  I.  Davidson's  lucky  '*hits"  in  cross- 
ing the  Douglas  upon  the  Cruickshank  blood  was  in 
the  case  of  imp.  Eed  Lady,  by  Scotland's  Pride. 
Bred  to  Crown  Prince  of  Athelstane  2d  16585,  she 
produced  Lady  Athelstane,  that  became  the  prop- 
erty of  the  Messrs.  Potts.  She,  in  turn,  was  bred  to 
imp.  Duke  of  Bichmond,  the  progeny  in  1880  being 
the  bull  Knight  of  Athelstane  2d  39545,  that  was 
sold  to  Mr.  Wilhoit.  Representing,  as  he  did,  one  of 
the  richest  combinations  of  prize-winning  blood  con- 
ceivable at  that  time,  it  seemed  almost  inevitable 
that  this  bull  should  prove  a  getter  of  the  kind  of 
stock  Mr.  Wilhoit  had  always  endeavored  to  pro- 
duce; and  his  use  upon  the  Wilhoit  cows  marks  one 
of  the  brightest  chapters  in  American  Short-horn 
history.  He  seemed  to  fairly  transmit  the  combined 
merit  of  his  illustrious  progenitors,  and  his  imme- 
diate descendants  were  for  many  years  the  pride  of 
the  entire  Short-horn  cattle-breeding  fraternity.  As 
in  the  case  of  his  sire,  the  Duke  of  Richmond,  Knight 
of  Athelstane  2d  seemed  to  ''nick"  particularly  well 
with  Young  Mary  cows,  the  Athelstane  bulls  repre- 


662  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

senting  that  cross,  shown  in  the  ''eighties''  by  Mr. 
Wilhoit,  being  marvels  of  substance  and  flesh. 

Thomas  Wilhoit  must  be  regarded  as  one  of  the 
great  breeders  of  his  time.  A  practical  man  and  of 
few  words,  he  had  a  profound  grasp  of  the  principles 
underlying  the  production  of  good  cattle.  More- 
over, he  had  the  courage  of  his  convictions.  While 
the  storm  of  speculation  was  at  its  height  he  stead- 
fastly stood  by  the  herd  which  he  had  created  by 
the  application  of  sound  principles  of  breeding.  The 
substance  of  his  creed,  as  condensed  by  himself  in  a 
brief  statement  made  in  response  to  inquiries  at  an 
Indianapolis  convention  of  cattle-breeders,  was  con- 
tained in  the  following  words :  ' '  Thick-fleshed  cat- 
tle will  produce  thick-fleshed  cattle.''  This  was  his 
way  of  stating  the  maxim  that  ''like  begets  like." 
He  did  not  expect  to  produce  profitable  cattle  with 
richly-furnished  carcasses  from  animals  of  a  deli- 
cate, light-fleshed  type,  and  had  laid  the  foundation 
for  a  class  of  stock  possessing  great  constitution  and 
thrift  prior  to  his  carefully-considered  selection  of 
the  great  Bruce-and-Dougl as-crossed  Cruickshank 
bull  that  set  the  final  seal  of  an  extraordinary  suc- 
cess upon  his  long  and  useful  career  as  a  breeder  of 
Short-horn  cattle. 


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CHAPTER  XXII 
CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE  CENTURY 

The  salient  feature  of  the  trade  on  both  sides  of 
the  Atlantic  during  the  closing  years  of  the  nine- 
teenth century  has  been  a  gradual  liquidation  of 
what  might  be  termed  speculative  holdings  and  a 
widespread  resort  to  the  use  of  bulls  of  the  Cruick- 
shank  and  kindred  blood.  Some  of  the  more  notable 
events  occurring  during  this  transition  period  will 
now  be  recorded. 

Sale  of  the  Hillhurst  Duchesses. — In  the  spring  of 
1882  Hon.  M.  H.  Cochrane  of  Hillhurst  decided  upon 
a  dispersion  sale  of  his  Duchesses  and  other  Bates- 
bred  stock.  The  event  occurred  at  Chicago  April 
18th  of  that  year.  The  cattle  were  offered  in  the 
pink  of  condition  and  were  of  most  attractive  char- 
acter. The  Duchess  consignment  consisted  of  the 
famous  Woodburn-bred  10th  Duchess  of  Airdrie  and 
some  of  her  descendants.  A  cow  of  good  individual 
merit  herself,  the  10th  Duchess  proved  a  prolific 
breeder,  transmitting  much  of  her  own  excellence, 
as  well  as  a  good  measure  of  her  fecundity,  to  her 
progeny.  Those  who  were  interested  in  the  main- 
taining of  values  for  cattle  of  this  breeding  were 
forced  to  get  behind  this  offering,  and  the  result 
was  the  great  average  of  $2,081.25  upon  twenty- 
three   head.     The   old   10th   Duchess,   in   calf,   but 

663 


664  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HOEN   CATTLE 

known  to  be  a  hazardous  risk,  fell  into  the  posses- 
sion of  Maj.  S.  E.  Ward  of  Westport,  Mo.,  at  $1,350. 
The  Canada  West  Farm  Stock  Association  was  the 
heaviest  buyer,  taking  the  9th  Duchess  of  Hillhurst 
at  $8,500,  the  10th  at  $7,100,  the  11th  at  $4,700,  and 
Airdrie  Duchess  at  $7,100.  The  8th  Duke  of  Hill- 
hurst sold  at  $3,025,  and  became  the  property  of  Col. 
C.  A.  DeGraff,  Janesville,  Minn.  Messrs.  Palmer  & 
Bowman,  proprietors  of  an  extensive  herd  at  Salt- 
ville,  Va.,  purchased  Kirklevington  Marchioness  2d 
at  $3,525. 

Richard  Gibson's  sale  of  1882. — A  number  of  im- 
ported Bates-bred  cattle  were  sold  at  auction  by 
Eichard  Gibson  at  Chicago  April  21,  1882,  at  good 
prices.  The  pure  Bates  heifer  Duchess  Wild  Eyes 
was  bought  by  Bigstaff,  Bascom  &  Berry  of  Ken- 
tucky at  $4,000.  Mr.  Bigstaff  paid  $3,200  for  Row- 
fant  Kirklevington  5th.  B.  C.  Rumsey  purchased 
Lady  York  and  Thorndale  Bates  6th  at  $1,050  and 
S.  White,  Windsor,  Ont.,  Kirklevington  Duchess 
27th  at  $1,575.  For  Wild  Eyes  Winsome  4th  H.  F. 
Brown  gave  $1,850.  Hon.  Emory  Cobb  took  the  bull 
Oxford  Duke  (45297)  at  $2,000.  There  was  included 
in  this  otfering  a  consignment  the  property  of  Mr. 
John  T.  Gibson  and  the  average  on  forty-nine  head 
offered  was  $602.45.  This  sale  was  of  special  inter- 
est as  reflecting  the  intention  of  the  Kentucky  breed- 
ers to  put  the  market  for  the  so-called  pure  Bates 
cattle  well  above  the  ruling  prices  for  those  carry- 
ing outcrosses. 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  665 

Woodbum  sale  of  1882.— In  the  spring  of  1882 
Mr.  A.  J.  Alexander,  in  connection  with  Mr.  Leslie 
Combs  of  Woodford  Co.,  Ky.,  imported  about  twenty 
head  of  Bates-bred  cows  and  heifers  and  two  bulls, 
selected  from  noted  English  herds  by  Mr.  Combs. 
A  majority  of  the  females  were  of  the  old  Red  Eose 
tribe,  descended  from  the  Renick  Roses  of  Sharon 
that  had  been  exported  to  England  some  years  pre- 
vious. These  were  bought  mainly  from  the  herd  of 
Mr.  George  Fox  of  Elmhurst  Hall.  In  addition  to 
these  were  representatives  of  the  Heydon  Rose  and 
Thorndale  Rose  branches  of  the  same  tribe,  bought 
from  Lord  Braybrooke.  The  cattle  were  offered  at 
auction  at  Woodburn  June  24,  1882,  along  with  a 
lot  of  Mr.  Alexander's  own  breeding;  the  ninety-two 
head  bringing  an  average  of  $455.10.  Mr.  Abram 
Renick,  who  was  then  nearing  the  end  of  his  career 
as  a  breeder,  was  present  and  made  a  determined 
effort  to  buy  the  big,  fine,  imported  roan  Thorndale 
Rose  8th  for  the  purpose  of  breeding  a  bull  from  her 
for  use  upon  his  Rose  of  Sharon  herd.  He  made  a 
plucky  fight,  carrying  the  bidding  up  to  $5,600,  but 
at  that  point  relinquished  her  to  a  representative 
of  Mr.  Alexander,  the  latter  having  reserved  the 
right  to  bid  upon  the  partnership  lots.  Failing  in 
his  purpose  at  this  time,  Mr.  Renick  afterward 
bought  and  used  a  bull,  4th  Duke  of  Roses  86034, 
produced  by  this  cow  at  Woodbum  to  a  service  by 
2d  Duke  of  Whittleberry  62574,  a  Duchess  bull  that 
had  been  imported  from  the  herd  of  R.  Loder.    Mr. 


666  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOEN   CATTLE 

Alexander  also  bought  at  this  sale  30th  Grand  Duke, 
a  calf  from  Thorndale  Rose  8th,  at  $2,025,  besides 
Thorndale  Eose  16th  and  Heydon  Rose  7th  at 
$4,000  and  $1,800  respectively.  At  this  same  sale 
S.  C.  Duncan  of  Missouri  gave  $1,100  for  30th  Duke 
of  Airdrie;  Mr.  T.  W.  Harvey  of  Chicago  buying 
the  33d  Duke  of  Airdrie,  a  capital  red  two-year-old, 
at  $2,650,  and  Mr.  N.  P.  Clarke  the  34th  Duke  at 
$2,700.  For  imp.  Viscount  Oxford  5th  (45744) 
Messrs.  Palmer  &  Bowman  of  Virginia  gave  $1,025.* 
The  Huston-Gibson  sale. — In  April,  1883,  Messrs. 
Rigdon  Huston  &  Son  of  Blandinsville,  111.,  who 
had  bought  the  entire  Bates-bred  herd  of  Col.  Le 
G.  B.  Cannon  of  Vermont,  held  a  sale  at  Chicago  in 
connection  with  Mr.  Richard  Gibson  at  which  some 
high  prices  were  made.  The  1st  Duchess  of  Hill- 
dale  and  2d  Kirklevington  Duchess  of  Hilldale  were 
sold  to  Strawther  Givens  of  Abingdon,  111.,  at  $6,000 
and  $1,900  respectively.  The  roan  heifer  Lally  Bar- 
rington  6th  was  taken  by  Mr.  A.  J.  Alexander  of 
Woodburn  at  $3,000.  N.  P.  Clarke,  St.  Cloud,  Minn., 
bought  Wild  Duchess  of  Geneva  3d  at  $2,100.    Wil- 


*At  a  sale  held  at  Winchester  the  following  week  VanMeter  & 
Hamilton  sold  sixty-nine  head  of  Short-horns  at  an  average  of  $395.35, 
including  the  Rose  of  Sharon  females  Poppy  17th,  Poppy's  Duchess  of 
Sycamore  and  13th  Rose  of  Sycamore,  the  first  going  to  Palmer  & 
Bowman  at  $2,02  5  and  the  second  and  third  to  T.  J.  IMcGowan  of 
Mount  Sterling  at  $1,275  and  $1,200  respectively.  The  day  following 
this  sale  the  Messrs.  Hamilton  sold  at  Mount  Sterling  forty-five  head 
at  an  average  of  $368,  "Williams  &  Hamilton  talking  Loo  Belle  Geneva 
3d  at  $1,675,  Kirklevington  Oneida  at  $1,525  and  2d  Lady  Kirkleving- 
ton B.  at  $1,100.  The  day  following  this  offering  T.  Corwin  Ander- 
son sold  forty-four  head  at  an  average  of  $419.65,  receiving  from  Wil- 
liams &  Hamilton  $1,525  for  Kirklevington  Marchioness  and  $1,050  for 
Peach  Blosson  12th.  H.  M.  Vaile  of  Missouri  gave  $1,150  for  Kirklev- 
ington Duchess  23d  and  C.  C.  Chiles,  also  of  Missouri,  took  Peach 
Blossom   11th  at  $1,250. 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  667 

Ham  Murray  of  Canada  paid  $1,650  for  Wild  Eyes 
Lassie  3d.  The  Messrs.  Winslow  of  Kankakee,  111., 
gave  $1,750  for  Grand  Duchess  of  Waterloo.  B.  C. 
Eumsey,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  took  Lady  Turncroft  Wild 
Eyes  3d  and  Lady  York  and  Oxford  Bates  at  $1,500 
and  $1,200  respectively.  Mr.  T.  W.  Harvey  of  Chi- 
cago, who  had  established  a  herd  at  Turlington, 
Neb.,  with  33d  Duke  of  Airdrie  at  the  head,  bought 
Marchioness  of  Turncroft  and  Wild  Eyes  Winsome 
3d  at  $1,200  and  $1,050  respectively.  Hon.  Emory 
Cobb  of  Kankakee,  111.,  took  Grand  Duchess  of 
Waterloo  2d  and  Lady  York  and  Underley  Bates  at 
$975  and  $800  respectively.  George  Allen,  Allerton, 
111.,  paid  $3,500  for  1st  Duke  of  Hilldale  43429.  Gib- 
son ^s  offering  consisted  mainly  of  imported  stock. 

Palmer's  sale  of  Scotch  cattle.— On  April  19, 1883, 
there  occurred  an  unfortunate  clash  between  the 
Bow  Park  management  representing  Bates  cattle  on 
one  hand  and  the  late  Launcelot  Palmer  of  Missouri, 
who  had  been  a  buyer  and  exhibitor  of  the  Aber- 
deenshire sorts.  The  feeling  at  this  time  between 
the  rival  types  was  running  high,  and  as  neither 
party  to  this  conflict  of  sale  dates  would  give  way, 
the  occurrence  furnished  a  test  as  to  the  prevailing 
temper  of  Northern  breeders  in  reference  to  the 
Bates  and  Scotch  cattle.  The  Bow  Park  sale  was 
held  at  Glen  Flora  Farm,  a  short  distance  north  of 
Chicago,  and  the  Palmer  sale  at  Dexter  Park,  Chi- 
cago Union  Stock  Yards.  The  most  active  breeders 
of  the  period  favored  the  Palmer  sale  with  their 


668  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

company,  forcing  the  three-year-old  heifer  Mysie 
43d,  of  James  I.  Davidson's  breeding — sired  by 
Crown  Prince  of  Athelstane  2d  16585  out  of  imp. 
Mysie  36th  of  Mr.  Cruickshank's  breeding — up  to 
$1,950,  at  which  figure  she  was  bid  off  by  Col.  Har- 
ris for  account  of  Chas.  A.  DeGraff  of  Lake  Elysian 
Farm,  Janesville,  Minn.  DeGraff  had  for  several 
years  been  a  patron  of  the  Bates  herds,  but  in  the 
fall  of  1882  had  bought  from  the  Hon.  John  Dryden 
the  imported  Scotch  bull  Baron  Surmise.  He  also 
took  the  imported  Cruickshank  cow  Artless  out  of 
this  sale  at  $1,025.  Mr.  Eobert  Miller  purchased 
Evening  Star  2d,  another  specimen  of  the  Crown 
Prince  of  Athelstane  2d  cross  upon  a  Cruickshank 
cow,  at  $1,000.  Mr.  T.  W.  Harvey,  who  had  also 
been  considered  as  partial  to  the  Bates  blood,  ap- 
peared here  as  a  bidder  upon  the  best  Scotch  cattle, 
buying  among  others  the  Brawith  Bud  cow  Golden 
Gem  at  $910.  Col.  W.  A.  Harris  purchased  imp. 
Barmpton  Violet  at  $780;  Mr.  H.  F.  Brown  took  the 
red  heifer  Lady  May  at  $750;  J.  H.  Kissinger  bought 
Nonpareil  40th  at  $930,  and  Hon.  Pliny  Nichols  of 
West  Liberty,  la.,  became  the  owner  of  the  two-year- 
old  bull  Earl  of  Aberdeen  45992  at  $1,000.  The  twen- 
ty-five head  of  Scotch  breeding  sold  at  this  sale 
averaged  about  $625. 

While  the  Palmer  cattle  were  selling  quickly  at 
high  prices  to  a  large  and  enthusiastic  crowd  at 
Dexter  Park,  the  Bow  Park  sale  was  in  progress  at 
Glen  Flora  before  a  small  company.     Some  appre- 


CLOSTXG  EVENTS   OF  THE   CENTURY  669 

ciative  buyers  were  present,  nevertheless,  Mr.  A.  J. 
Alexander  purchasing  the  red-roan  Oxford  heifer 
Grand  Duchess  of  Oxford  52d  at  $2,050,  and  Straw- 
ther  Givens  of  Illinois  Kirklevington  Duchess  25th 
at  $1,400.  A  majority  of  the  cattle,  however,  sold 
below  $500,  the  thirty-six  head  making  an  average 
of  $325.55. 

Kentucky  Importing  Company  of  1883.— In  the 
spring  of  1883  Messrs.  B.  F.  Van  Meter  and  Leslie 
Combs,  representing  the  Kentucky  Importing .  Co., 
selected  and  brought  out  from  England  an  importa- 
tion of  thirty-four  head  of  cows  and  heifers  and  two 
bulls,  a  large  majority  of  which  were  purchased  in 
Scotland  from  the  herds  of  Messrs.  Cruickshank, 
Duthie  and  the  Duke  of  Eichmond.  Those  were  the 
only  Short-horns  of  the  Aberdeenshire  tribes  ever 
imported  direct  from  Scotland  into  Kentucky.  A 
half-dozen  head  of  Bates  females  were  also  included 
in  the  importation,  the  entire  lot  being  sold  at  auc- 
tion at  Lexington  May  9  at  an  average  of  $402.50. 
The  Bates  heifer  Lady  Wild  Eyes  7th  topped  the 
sale  at  $1,000,  going  at  that  figure  to  Woodburn. 
The  Scotch  offerings  ranged  up  to  $700,  paid  for  the 
yearling  bull  Favorite  56041  from  Collynie.  This 
bull  and  a  number  of  the  Scotch  heifers  were  bought 
by  Messrs.  Danforth  and  Veech  of  Louis\dlle,  who 
bred  them  for  a  short  time  and  then  disposed  of  most 
of  them  to  Messrs.  Cummings  of  Illinois  and  other 
Northern  breeders. 

Sale  of  Pickrell,  Thomas  &  Smith.— Mr.  J.  H. 


670  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

Pickrell  liad  nioantiiiio  formod  a  ])artnorshii)  with 
Messrs.  Thomas  &  Smith  of  Kentucky  and  the  firm 
occuiDied  a  prominent  position  in  the  trade  in  the 
early  "eighties."  The  herd  was  particularly  strong 
in  the  Beck  Taylor  branch  of  the  Young  Mary  tribe, 
which  supplied  many  prize-winners.  It  was  also 
rich  in  Roses  of  Sharon.  At  a  sale  made  in  June, 
1883,  at  Harristown,  111.,  the  firm  sold  seventy-two 
head  at  an  average  of  $419.79.  Messrs.  Hawkins 
&  McDaniel  of  Miami,  Mo.,  gave  $1,100  for  the 
two-year-old  bull  Sharon  Geneva  and  T.  AY.  Harvey 
paid  $1,000  for  Eed  Rose  of  Glenwood.  It  was  at 
this  sale  that  Messrs.  C.  C.  Blisli  &  Son,  Kewanee, 
111.,  purchased  the  red  bull  calf  Dick  Taylor  of  Glen- 
wood at  $300.  He  matured  into  a  good  show  bull 
and  sire,  being  successfully  exhibited  at  the  head  of 
the  Blish  herds  at  leading  Western  fairs  for  several 
years  and  also  siring  many  good  cattle  in  their  Lee 
Side  Herd.  This  Harristow^n  sale  was  notable  for 
the  steadiness  of  the  values  maintained.  A  large 
proportion  of  the  offerings  made  from  $400  to  $600 
each  and  the  high  average  merit  of  the  stock  was  the 
theme  of  universal  comment. 

Kentucky  summer  sales  of  1883. — The  breeders  of 
the  blue-grass  country  remained  loyal  to  the  Bates 
blood  to  the  last.  They  were  never  able  to  entirely 
forget  the  service  rendered  by  imp.  Duke  of  Airdrie 
(12730),  and  even  at  this  period  when  Northern 
breeders  were  showing  a  marked  preference  for  the 
Scotch  type  the  Kentuckians  sustained  their  inter- 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  671 

est  ill  the  historic  Kirklevington  families.  They 
were  not  only  the  most  liberal  bidders  on  all  Bates 
cattle  offered  for  sale  in  the  Northern  States  during 
the  " eighties''  but  stood  together  at  home  whenever 
representatives  of  their  favorite  blood  were  offered 
at  auction. 

In  July,  1883,  Mr.  J.  V.  Grigsby  sold  a  family  of 
pure  Bates-Craggs  breeding,  a  sort  originated  by 
the  Messrs.  Bell,  tenants  of  Mr.  Bates,  for  one  of 
which,  12th  Duchess  of  Crethmere,  the  Messrs.  Ham- 
ilton of  Mount  Sterling  gave  $1,350.  For  1st  Duch- 
ess of  Crethmere  Mr.  T.  Corwin  Anderson  of  Side 
View  Farm  gave  $1,000,  and  for  10th  Duchess  of 
Springwood  Hon.  A.  M.  Bowman  of  Virginia  gave 
a  like  amount.  A  number  of  others  were  taken  by 
Southern  breeders  at  figures  but  slightly  below  those 
mentioned,  the  sixteen  females  averaging  $855.93. 
At  a  sale  made  about  the  same  date  by  Messrs.  Estill 
&  Hamilton  the  Rose  of  Sharon  heifer  Sharon  Eose 
2d  Geneva  fetched  $1,000  from  James  C.  Hamilton 
of  Flat  Creek. 

During  this  same  season  an  important  sale  was 
made  from  the  herd  of  Abram  Eenick.  The  cattle 
represented  exclusively  his  celebrated  Eose  of 
Sharon  sort,  and  were  taken  mainly  by  Kentucky 
breeders,  the  seventy  head  bringing  an  average  of 
$369.64.    The  top  price  was  $1,050  for  Poppy  21st. 

Sale  of  the  Holford  Duchesses. — In  the  summer  of 
1883  Mr.  T.  Holford  of  Castle  Hill,  Eng.,  sold  thirty- 
eight  head  of  Bates-bred  Short-horns  at  an  average 


672  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

of  $1,000;  Lord  Fitzhardinge  paying  $4,500  for  the 
3d  Duke  of  Leicester  and  $5,750  for  3d  Duchess  of 
Leicester.  Earl  Bective  bought  Duchess  of  Leices- 
ter at  $7,525,  and  Airdrie  Duchess  7th,  of  American 
origin,  at  $2,500.  Mr.  B.  C.  Eumsey  of  Buffalo,  N. 
Y.,  purchased  the  6th  Duchess  of  Leicester  for 
$1,775. 

Speaking  of  Duchesses  we  may  note  at  this  point 
that  during  this  same  year  the  8th  Duke  of  Tre- 
gunter  that  had  been  exported  to  Australia  was  sold 
at  auction  in  that  country  at  a  reported  price  of 
$20,000! 

The  Hamiltons. — Probably  the  largest  handlers  of 
pure-bred  Short-horns  of  their  time  in  the  State  of 
Kentucky  were  the  Messrs.  Hamilton,  extensive 
owners  of  lands  in  Kentucky,  Illinois  and  Missouri, 
the  home  farm  being  at  Flat  Creek,  Bath  Co.,  Ky., 
not  far  from  Mount  Sterling.  Upon  this  farm  re- 
sided the  brothers,  George  and  James  C.  Hamilton, 
the  latter  being  regarded  as  a  breeder  of  unusual 
skill.  Short-horns  had  been  introduced  upon  Flat 
Creek  Farm  at  an  early  date,  and  when  the  herd 
first  came  prominently  before  the  public  it  was 
chiefly  noted  for  its  Marys  and  Josephines. 

The  foundation  dam  of  the  most  noted  Hamilton 
family,  the  Flat  Creek  Marys,  was  the  roan  Belle, 
bred  by  William  Buckner  of  Bourbon  Co.,  Ky.,  and 
bought  of  him  in  the  spring  of  1861  by  J.  C.  and  G. 
Hamilton.  According  to  the  herd  book  record  (Vol. 
XX,  p.  15482)  she  proved  remarkably  prolific,  most 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  673 

of  her  heifers  being  sired  by  the  Rose  of  Sharon  bull 
Bell  Sharon  9507  by  imp.  Duke  of  Airdrie.  In  nu- 
merous cases  Bell  Sharon  was  bred  back  to  his  own 
daughters.  Other  bulls  used  in  founding  the  family 
were  Earl  of  Barrington  23017  and  Duke  of  Noxubee 
9920.*  Messrs.  Hamilton  were  advocates  of  the  prin- 
ciple of  inbreeding  from  the  beginning,  and  double 
crosses  of  these  bulls  appear  frequently  in  the  pedi- 
grees of  many  animals  of  their  production.  It  was 
calculated  in  the  spring  of  1884  by  the  Messrs.  Ham- 
ilton that  sales  of  this  Mary  cow^s  descendants  had 
at  that  time  aggregated  in  value  upward  of  $100,000! 
On  the  decline  in  values  of  Bates  tribes  Messrs. 
Hamilton  became  buyers  of  Duchesses,  Kirkleving- 
tons,  Barringtons,  Renick  Roses  of  Sharon,  etc., 
breeding  largely  from  Duchess  and  Barrington  bulls, 
included  among  the  number  being  imp.  Grand  Duke 
of  Geneva  23344  and  20th  Duke  of  Airdrie  13872. 
The  late  Mr.  A.  L.  Hamilton,  son  of  George  Hamil- 
ton and  son-in-law  of  B.  F.  Van  Meter,  was  the  lead- 
ing spirit  in  the  extensive  operations  of  the  Messrs. 
Hamilton  at  the  time  they  were  so  prominently  be- 
fore the  public  some  fifteen  years  ago.  He  had  a 
brother,  W.  W.,  who  also  handled  the  Flat  Creek 
tribes,  and  a  member  of  a  collateral  branch  of  the 
Hamilton  family.  Col.  A.  W.  Hamilton,  also  dealt 


♦Duke  of  Noxubee  appears  to  have  been  bred  by  Mr.  Simeon  Orr  of 
Mississippi.  He  was  descended  from  the  Bates-bred  cow  imp.  Darling- 
ton 6th  by  4th  Duke  of  Oxford.  A  foot-note  in  a  catalogue  issued  by 
Messrs.  Sudduth  &  Redmon  of  Clark  Co.,  Ky.,  many  years  ago,  con- 
tained the  rather  remarkable  statement  that  this  bull  was  "a  remark- 
able breeder,  getting  fine  calves  since  he  was  eighteen  years  old."  This 
astonishing  statement,  however,  lacks  confirmation. 


674  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

largely  in  Bates-bred  cattle  in  partnership  with  the 
late  Gen.  John  S.  Williams  under  the  firm  name  of 
Williams  &  Hamilton,  Longwood  Farm,  Mount 
Sterling.  Largely  through  the  skill  and  judgment 
of  Mr.  James  C.  Hamilton — whose  patriarchal  ap- 
pearance and  kindly  ways  earned  for  him  in  his 
later  years  the  universally  applied  title  of  "Uncle 
Jimmy" — the  home  herd  at  Flat  Creek  attained  a 
degree  of  individual  merit  that  gave  it  great  promi- 
nence among  the  leading  collections  of  the  breed, 
and  it  received  an  extended  patronage  from  the 
North  and  West. 

Mr.  A.  L.  Hamilton,  who  had  established  himself 
on  a  farm  near  Lexington,  to  which  he  gave  the 
name  of  Kirklevington — as  expressing  his  adher- 
ence to  Bates  blood — held  an  auction  sale  June  11 
and  12,  1884,  which  attracted  one  of  the  largest 
crowds  ever  seen  at  an  event  of  that  character  in 
the  West.  The  proprietor  was  in  very  feeble  health 
at  the  time, and  this  was  made  the  occasion  of  the  dis- 
persion of  a  large  proportion  of  his  Short-horn  hold- 
ings. The  sale  continued  for  two  days  under  the 
management  of  the  well-known  auctioneers.  Cols.  J. 
W.  Judy  and  L.  P.  Muir.*    An  extraordinary  aver- 


*Col.  Muir  was  one  of  the  best-known  live-stock  auctioneers  of  his 
dav  in  the  United  States.  A  resident  of  Kentucky,  he  shared  with  the 
Short-horn  breeders  of  the  blue-grass  country  their  profound  appre- 
ciation for  the  Bates  blood,  and  made  himself  a  leading  authority  on 
all  matters  connected  with  the  tribal  histories  of  Short-horns  of  Kirk- 
levington derivation.  For  many  years  he  conducted  important  auction 
sales  throughout  the  Western  States,  and  on  the  occasion  of  the  pur- 
chase of  the  American  Short-horn  Herd  Book  by  the  Breeders'  Asso- 
ciation from  T^ewis  F.  Allen  was  made  editor  of  the  pedigree  register 
in  Chicago.  Being  succeeded  in  that  position  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Pickrell, 
Col.  Muir  removed  to  Independence,  Mo.,  conducting  numerous  auction 
sales  and  retaining  his  interest  in  Short-horn  breeding  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  several  years  since  at  that  place. 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  675 

age  was  made.  The  roan  Airdrie  Duchess  2d  was 
bid  ofe  for  Mr.  Hamilton's  brother  at  $4,225.  Mr. 
Logan  0.  Swope  of  Independence,  Mo.,  took  the  roan 
heifer  2d  Duchess  of  Flat  Creek  at  $7,000,  4th  Duch- 
ess of  Flat  Creek  at  $5,075,  Barrington  Lally  2d  at 
$2,025,  4th  Duchess  of  Kent  at  $4,700  and  Loo  Belle 
Kent  at  $1,675.  Mr.  H.  F.  Brown  of  Minneapolis 
paid  $3,550  for  the  red  two-year-old  bull  Duke  of 
Flat  Creek,  $1,775  for  Wild  Eyes  Duchess  7th  and 
$1,600  for  Wild  Eyes  Duchess  9th.  C.  M.  Gifford 
&  Sons  of  Milford,  Kan.,  bid  off  the  Flat  Creek  Mary 
cow.  Young  Mary  Duchess  2d,  at  $2,275,  and  the 
yearling  bull  Lord  Barrington  2d  at  $1,675.  The 
Van  Meter  Mary  cow,  Geneva  Mary  2d,  was  knocked 
down  to  John  Duncan,  Louisville,  at  $2,000.  Mr.  G. 
L.  Chrisman  of  Independence,  Mo.,  was  an  active 
competitor,  securing  the  yearling  4th  Duke  of  Kent 
at  $1,500,  the  red  cow  Barrington  Mary  2d  and  a 
Barrington  Lally  heifer  calf  at  $1,000  each.  Wild 
Eyes  Duchesses  5th  and  10th  were  knocked  off  to 
A.  C.  Briant,  Belton,  Mo.,  at  $2,000  and  $1,730  re- 
spectively. For  Wild  Eyes  Duchess  4th  Corwin 
Anderson  paid  $1,050.  For  Mary  Barrington,  of  the 
Van  Meter  Mary  sort,  J.  H.  Bacon,  Weaver,  la.,  gave 
$1,000.  The  average  on  the  109  head  sold  was 
$832.30. 

On  the  day  following  this  memorable  sale  Messrs. 
Williams  &  Hamilton  sold  fifty-two  head  at  Lexing- 
ton for  an  average  of  $396.35,  the  highest  prices 
being  $1,100,  paid  by  T.  Corwin  Anderson  for  Kirk- 


676  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-IIORX   CATTLE 

levington  Marchioness,  and  $1,060,  paid  by  H.  C.  G. 
Bals  of  Indianapolis  for  3d  Lady  Kirklevington  B. 

On  Oct.  24  and  25,  1884,  ninety-seven  head  of 
cattle  were  sold  at  auction  on  the  home  farm  at  Flat 
Creek  to  close  the  estate  of  Mr.  J.  C.  Hamilton,  who 
had  died  a  short  time  previous.  The  extraordinary 
average  of  $840.57  was  made,  although  such  a  result 
would  not  have  been  attained  but  for  the  fact  that 
various  members  of  the  family  were  permitted  to 
bid.  It  was  here  that  Messrs.  Palmer  &  Bowman 
of  Virginia  bought  the  red  bull  2d  Duke  of  Kent 
51119  at  $6,100  and  the  red-roan  Airdrie  Duchess 
10th  at  $6,200,  taking  also  8th  Duchess  of  Kent  at 
$4,050  and  10th  Duchess  of  Kent  at  $1,600.  Messrs. 
Williams  &  Hamilton  bought  Barrington  Duchess 
2d  and  3d  Duchess  of  Kent  at  $5,000  each.  They 
also  bought  Barrington  Lally  5th  at  $3,500,  Barring- 
ton  Lally  6th  at  $3,000,  and  3d  Duke  of  Kent  at 
$2,600.  Geo.  Hamilton  bid  off  7th  Duchess  of  Kent 
at  $3,500.  A.  L.  Hamilton  took  5th  Duchess  of  Kent 
at  $2,250,  and  Col.  J.  W.  Judy  got  Young  Mary 
Duchess  at  $1,225.  Berry  &  Bigstaff  of  Mount  Ster- 
ling paid  $1,230  for  Barrington  Duke  37622. 

Col.  W.  A.  Harris  of  Linwood. — The  real  leader 
of  the  Scotch  forces  in  the  United  States  during 
the  '^eighties"  was  Col.  W.  A.  Harris  of  Linwood, 
Leavenworth  Co.,  Kan.  Few  men  possessing  like 
strength  of  character  have  ever  given  their  personal 
attention  to  the  breeding  of  Short-horns  in  the 
United  States.    Of  Virginia  parentage,  he  removed 


CLOSIXG  EVENTS  OF  THE   CEXTURY  677 

to  the  State  of  Kansas  soon  after  the  close  of  the 
Civil  War.  He  first  followed  his  profession — that  of 
a  civil  engineer — in  the  employ  of  the  Kansas  Pa- 
cific Eailway  Co.,  assisting  in  the  location  of  that 
branch  of  the  Union  Pacific  from  Kansas  City  to 
Denver.  He  had  an  inherited  love  for  country  life 
and  pastoral  pursuits,  and  while  surveying  on  the 
north  bank  of  the  Kansas  River  some  twenty-seven 
miles  west  of  Kansas  City,  his  attention  was  at- 
tracted by  a  beautiful  body  of  "second  bottom"  and 
upland,  the  location  of  which  was  carefully  noted  at 
the  time.  He  subsequently  acquired  the  title  to  this 
property,  and  after  residing  some  time  in  Lawrence 
— where  he  had  charge  of  the  sale  of  the  Kansas  Pa- 
cific Eailway  lands  and  the  closing  out  of  the  Dela- 
ware Indian  Reservation — he  built  a  residence  upon 
the  farm  afterward  so  celebrated  in  the  Western 
Short-horn  trade  under  the  name  of  Linwood,  and 
for  some  years  gave  practically  his  entire  time  to  the 
establishment  of  a  herd  which  in  its  prime  was  prob- 
ably the  equal  of  any  that  has  ever  existed  in  North 
America. 

At  the  time  Col.  Harris  made  his  first  investments 
in  Short-horns  his  personal  relations  with  the  Ken- 
tuckians  were  of  the  friendliest,  and  he  was  made 
a  director  in  their  American  Short-horn  Record  As- 
sociation. He  realized  that  in  the  Western  country 
Short-horns,  to  give  satisfaction  to  the  hard-work- 
ing farmers  of  that  region,  must  possess  sound  con- 
stitutions and  satisfactory  feeding  capacity.     The 


678  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

leading  Kentucky  breeder  of  the  period,  while  hold- 
ing Col.  Harris  in  the  highest  regard,  did  not  relish 
his  outspoken  criticism  of  many  of  their  herds,  many 
of  which  he  considered  too  fine  and  delicate  for  prac- 
tical Western  feed-lot  purposes.  He  had  no  patience 
with  those  who  gave  their  adherence  to  mere  pedi- 
gree, and  proceeded  to  lay  the  foundations  of  his  own 
herd  with  supreme  disregard  of  all  things  except 
genuine  merit  in  the  individual  animal.  For  some 
years  he  made  occasional  purchases  of  breeding  ani- 
mals in  the  blue-grass  country,  but  he  faulted  most 
of  the  Southern  herds  of  that  date  as  wanting  in 
substance  and  flesh.  Now  and  then  he  found  a  heifer 
that  suited  him  fairly  well,  and  in  such  cases  was 
always  willing  to  pay  a  liberal  price.  Early  in  his 
career  as  a  breeder  he  had  secured  the  excellent  red 
bull  Golden  Drop  of  Hillhurst  39120,  bred  by  Col. 
W.  E.  Simmes  of  Bourbon  Co.,  Ky.,  by  whom  he  was 
sold  to  J.  C.  Stone  Jr.  of  Leavenworth,  Kan.  This 
bull  had  two  Bates  crosses  (4th  Duke  of  Hillhurst 
21509  and  7th  Earl  of  Oxford  9985)  on  top  of  the 
Scotch-bred  WastelPs  Golden  Drop  4th  by  Sir 
Christopher  (22895).  He  possessed  the  finish,  style 
and  character  common  to  the  Bates  tribes,  together 
with  more  than  the  usual  amount  of  flesh  shown  by 
the  latter-day  representatives  of  that  blood,  and 
proved  a  useful  sire.  When  it  became  necessary  to 
secure  a  successor  to  liim  a  careful  but  unsuccessful 
search  was  made  for  a  bull  in  the  State  of  Kentucky. 
This  was  in  the  early  spring  of  1882.    On  May  3  of 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  679 

that  year  Mr.  J.  H.  Kissinger  of  Missouri  made  a 
public  sale  at  which  he  offered  several  head  of 
Cruickshank  cattle  that  he  had  purchased  a  short 
time  before  in  Canada.  Favorably  predisposed  to- 
ward the  Scotch  blood,  as  a  result  of  his  use  of  the 
Golden  Drop  bull  above  mentioned,  and  firm  in  the 
belief  that  Short-horn  breeders  generally  must  pay 
more  attention  to  form  and  feeding  quality  if  they 
were  to  hold  their  own  throughout  the  West,  Col. 
Harris  attended  this  sale.  These  imported  cattle 
were  the  best  specimens  of  Cruickshank  breeding  he 
had  ever  seen,  and  much  impressed  by  their  sturdy 
character  he  bought  the  yearling  Victoria  bull  imp. 
Baron  Victor  (45944)  at  $1,100;  the  big,  broad- 
backed  roan  imp.  Victoria  63d  at  $530;  the  smaller 
but  thick-fleshed  imp.  Violet  Bud  at  $450,  and  the 
compactly-fashioned  red-roan  imp.  Victoria  69th  at 
$390.*  Baron  Victor  was  a  blocky,  broad-ribbed, 
short-legged,  mellow,  thick-fleshed  red,  strong  in 
head  and  horn,  but  standing  very  near  to  the  ground. 
He  was  sired  by  Barmpton  (37763)  out  of  the  fine 
cow  Victoria  58th  by  Pride  of  the  Isles;  second  dam 
Victoria  43d  by  Champion  of  England. 

Success  of  Baron  Victor. — Victoria  69th  of  this 
purchase  did  not  turn  out  a  good  investment,  but 
Victoria  63d  ^s  first  calf — a  grand  roan  heifer  by 
Baron  Victor,  dropped  Nov.  1,  1882 — developed  into 

*At  this  same  sale  Messrs.  J.  H.  Potts  &  Son  purchased  the  im- 
ported Sittyton  Secret  cow  Sempstress  at  $585  and  Gloxinia  at  $420. 
For  imp.  Acorn  2d  the  late  Laimcelot  Palmer  paid  $505  and  for 
Beauty's  Pride  and  Carrie  $400  each. 


680  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

a  yearling  with  an  astonishing  wealth  of  substance, 
flesh  and  hair.  No  such  calf  had  ever  before  been 
seen  upon  the  farm,  and  much  as  he  disliked  to  part 
with  her  Col.  Harris  decided  to  consign  her  to  the 
Interstate  Breeders'  sale  held  at  Kansas  City  in  the 
.  fall  of  1884,  where  she  proved  the  sensation  of  the 
day  and  commanded  the  top  price  of  $1,005,  being 
purchased  by  the  late  Samuel  Steinmetz  of  Missouri. 
Breeders  from  many  different  States  gathered 
around  this  burly-bodied,  short-legged  Scotch  heifer 
and  large  numbers  of  them  for  the  first  time  here 
realized  that  an  element  of  undoubted  value  had  now 
been  introduced  into  the  Western  trade.  Linwood 
Victoria's  irresistible  demonstration  of  the  feeding 
quality  of  the  Cruickshank  sort  was  backed  up  at 
this  same  sale  by  the  young  bull  The  Baronet  58250 
— got  by  Baron  Victor  out  of  a  Flat  Creek  Mary 
dam — a  calf  of  rare  thickness  and  finish,  finding 
quick  sale  at  $500  to  F.  C.  Harris,  son-in-law  of 
Launcelot  Palmer,  Sturgeon,  Mo.  The  Baronet  de- 
veloped into  one  of  the  best  show  bulls  of  his  day  in 
the  Western  States,  winning  prizes  at  the  head  of 
the  herd  of  Newton  Winn. 

The  first  crop  of  calves  from  Baron  Victor  satis- 
fied Col.  Harris  that  he  was  on  the  right  track,  and 
he  took  immediate  steps  to  increase  his  stock  of 
breeding  females  of  Scotch  extraction.  He  pur- 
chased from  James  I.  Davidson  imp.  Sorrel,  by  Roan 
Gauntlet;  imp.  Marsh  Violet,  by  Pride  of  the  Isles; 
imp.  Barmpton  Violet,  by  Royal  Violet;  imp.  Lav- 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE  CENTURY  681 

ender  32d,  by  Roan  Gauntlet;  imp.  Gladiolus,  by 
Pride  of  the  Isles;  the  massive  light  roan  imp.  Gold- 
en Thistle,  by  Roan  Gauntlet;  imp.  Lavenders  33d, 
34th,  36th;  imp.  Sapphire,  and  from  Mr.  William 
Warfield  of  Kentucky  the  good  heifer  Primrose,* 
derived  from  imp.  Portulacca.  In  the  meantime  the 
Baron  Victor  bulls  from,  these  and  the  American- 
bred  cows  in  the  herd  became  the  admiration  of  the 
entire  American  Short-horn  cattle-breeding  frater- 
nity. Almost  without  exception  they  developed 
into  richly-fleshed,  short-legged,  low-flanked,  easy- 
keeping  bulls  that  served  to  convince  a  large  ma- 
jority of  the  breeders  of  the  Missouri  Valley  States 
that  the  Linwood  plan  of  breeding  was  correct. 
They  were  in  demand  at  from  $300  to  $600,  not  only 
throughout  the  West  but  as  far  East  as  Ohio,  for 
the  purpose  of  heading  good  herds. 

In  connection  with  Baron  Victor  there  was  used 
at  Linwood,  among  other  well-bred  Cruickshank 
sires,  the  red  Barbarossa  68197,  bought  from  Mr. 
Davidson,  sired  by  Cumberland  out  of  Bannpton 
Spray  by  Caesar  Augustus.  He  was  sold  to  Mr. 
Charles  E.  Leonard  of  Missouri  and  used  extensively 
in  the  old-established  herd  at  Ravenswood.  Another 
bull  that  achieved  reputation  both  as  a  stock-getter 
and  prize-winner  was  imp.  Double  Gloster  (49383), 
a  red,  sired  by  Barmpton  out  of  24th  Duchess  of 


♦This  Warfield  heifer  bred  to  Baron  Victor  produced  the  handsome 
mellow-handling  red  prize  bull  Dr.  Primrose  of  the  Williams  &  House- 
holder show  herd.  Another  Linwood-bred  show-yard  favorite  in  that 
same  collection  was  the  Baron  Victor  heifer  Baroness. 


682  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

Gloster  by  Lord  of  the  Isles.  Double  Gloster  was 
sold  to  William  P.  Higinbotham,  whose  Blue  Valley 
Herd  at  Manhattan,  Kan.,  was  for  several  years  one 
of  the  best-known  collections  of  the  breed  west  of 
the  Missouri  Eiver.  Meantime  Col.  Harris  became 
the  heaviest  buyer  of  imported  Cruickshank  heifers 
in  the  States,  securing  the  pick  of  all  of  James  I. 
Davidson's  extensive  importations  of  that  period 
from  Sittyton.  He  obtained  from  this  source  and 
transferred  to  the  "sunny  slopes  of  Linwood"  such 
females  as  Lady  of  the  Meadow,  by  Chancellor; 
Barmpton  Crocus,  by  same  sire;  Lavender  38th,  by 
Dunblane;  the  26th,  27th  and  28th  Duchesses  of 
Gloster,  sired  by  Perfection,  Chancellor  and  Cum- 
berland respectively;  Lovely  41st  and  Wood  Violet, 
by  Cumberland;  Victoria  76th,  by  Viking;  Stephan- 
otis,  a  grand  roan,  by  Dunblane;  Vera  and  Lady  of 
Shalott,  both  by  same  bull;  March  Violet,  by  Chan- 
cellor, and  others.  He  also  bought  from  Messrs. 
Potts  Lady  Athelstane  of  Oakland,  by  Duke  of  Rich- 
mond out  of  imp.  Red  Lady,  and  from  Cummings 
of  Buda,  111.,  a  Sittyton  Victoria  of  the  Lowman  & 
Smith  sort. 

The  Linwood  Golden  Drops. — Possibly  his  most 
fortunate  selection,  however,  in  the  way  of  breeding 
females  was  the  grand  roan  Norton's  Golden  Drop, 
bred  by  C.  W.  Norton  of  Iowa  in  1880  from  the 
Bates  bull  imp.  Underley  Wild  Eyes  31312  out  of 
imp.  Golden  Drop  4th,  imported  from  the  Kinellar 
herd  by  J.  S.  Thompson,  and  also  known  as  Wastell's 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE  CENTURY  683 

Golden  Drop  4tli.  ( See  records  Vols.  XII  and  XX  A. 
S.-H.  B.)  Norton  had  procured  the  imported  cow 
from  Mr.  McCune  of  Solon,  la.  This  Bates-crossed 
Scotch  Golden  Drop  was  strong-backed,  heavy- 
quartered  and  deep-bodied,  with  a  feminine  head 
and  neck  and  good  dairy  qualities.  Bred  to  the 
impressive  Baron  Victor  she  gave  Col.  Harris  the 
best  females  he  ever  produced,  notwithstanding  his 
repeated  ''topping'^  of  the  Cruickshank  importa- 
tions of  the  ' '  eighties. ' '  Indeed,  the  Linwood  Golden 
Drops,  with  their  beautiful  finish,  their  wealth  of 
flesh,  substance  and  character  constituted,  in  the 
opinion  of  some  of  our  best  judges,  the  most  superb 
family  of  Short-horn  cattle  of  their  time  in  the 
United  States. 

Baron  Lavender  2d. — Probably  the  best  Cruick- 
shank cow  ever  owned  at  Linwood  was  imp.  Laven- 
der 36th.  She  was,  indeed,  a  noble  specimen  of  Mr. 
Cruickshank 's  best  type,  possessing  grand  scale,  as- 
tonishing breadth,  depth  and  thickness  of  rich  flesh. 
Unfortunately  this  royal  specimen  of  her  race  had 
such  an  irrepressible  tendency  to  take  on  flesh  that 
she  became  barren  in  her  very  prime  and  was  finally 
sent  to  the  butcher.  In  the  autumn  of  1885  this 
wonderful  cow  had  dropped  to  a  service  by  Baron 
Victor  the  handsome  red-roan  bull  calf  Baron  Lav- 
ender 2d  72610.  He  was  a  youngster  of  extraordi- 
nary promise  from  the  start,  but  the  loss  of  his  dam 
not  then  being  anticipated  he  was  sold  at  a  good 
price  to  head  a  local  herd.    When  it  was  discovered 


684  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

that  his  mother  would  no  longer  breed  Col.  Harris 
bought  back  Baron  Lavender  2d,  and  it  is  speaking 
within  bounds  to  state  that  this  bull  was  by  odds  the 
greatest  of  all  the  many  capital  bulls  bred  at  Lin- 
wood.  A  widespread,  massive,  low-legged,  richly- 
furnished  animal  of  strong  character,  Baron  Laven- 
der 2d  was  probably  the  peer  of  any  bull  of  the  breed 
yet  produced  on  this  side  the  Atlantic.  It  has  al- 
ways been  a  matter  for  sincere  regret  that  his  period 
of  service  in  the  herd  at  Linwood  was  so  short. 

Another  valuable  Lavender  bull  by  Baron  Victor 
was  the  golden-skinned  Baron  Lavender  3d  78854, 
out  of  imp.  Lavender  38th.  He  was  a  thick-set,  mel- 
low bull  of  beautiful  quality,  sold  to  William  P. 
Higinbotham,  and  by  him  to  S.  F.  Lockridge  of 
Indiana. 

Imp.  Craven  Knight. — Considerable  difficulty  had 
been  met  with  in  finding  a  bull  to  breed  upon  Baron 
Victor's  heifers.  In  addition  to  Barbarossa  and. 
Double  Gloster,  Col.  Harris  imported  two  young 
bulls  of  Mr.  Cruickshank's  own  selection,  one  of 
which.  Master  of  the  Eolls  99643,  got  some  good 
stock,  but  neither  of  them  seemed  just  what  was 
wanted,  and  they  were  given  a  short  trial  and  sold. 
Subsequently  he  bought  probably  the  handsomest 
Cruickshank  bull  ever  seen  in  the  Western  States, 
imp.  Craven  Knight  96923,  imported  for  Luther 
Adams,  Storm  Lake,  la.,  and  sired  by  Cumberland 
out    of    Golden    Autumn    by    Barmpton.*      Craven 


♦William  Miller,  who  imported  Craven  Knight,  says :    "Among  the 
best  of  the  Sittyton  cows  at  the  time  of  my  last  visit  were  Victoria 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE  CENTURY 


685 


Kniglit  was  a  short-legged,  evenly-built  red  of  rare 
symmetry  and  finish,  having  a  good  head,  a  first- 
class  middle-piece  and  remarkable  hind  quarters.  It 
was  believed  at  Linwood  when  Craven  Knight  was 
obtained  (along  with  another  selection  of  imported 
Sittyton  heifers  of  Luther  Adams'  importation)  that 
a  worthy  successor  to  Baron  Victor  had  been  found. 
His  first  calves,  however,  did  not  begin  to  develop 
quite  early  enough  to  satisfy  the  exacting  require- 
ments of  the  proprietor,  and  before  the  bull's  value 
was  realized  he  was  sold  to  the  Kansas  Agricultural 
College  at  Manhattan,  only  to  be  rescued  and  re- 
stored at  the  head  of  the  herd  several  years  later, 
after  repeated  efforts  and  the  expenditure  of  large 
sums  of  money  in  endeavoring  to  find  satisfactory 
stock  bulls.  The  ultimate  verdict  was  that  had 
Craven  Knight  received  full  opportunity  he  would 
possibly  have  equaled  the  record  of  Baron  Victor  as 
a  sire. 

A  search  for  sires.— Another  imported  bull  tested 
at  Linwood  was  the  red  Thistletop  83876,  imported 
in  1885  by  Mr.  Davidson.  He  left  some  good  stock, 
amono-  others  the  bulls  El  Sabio  103105,  used  some 
before  being  sold,  and  Thistlewood  95417,  from  imp. 

i^^nd  Golden  Autumn^  J^l,\llT t^^rJl'L^^^^^^^^^^^ 
gether  they  M-ere  co^'s  of  ^^^^^^^^^^J/ed)       The  58th  was  dam  of  two 
but  character  and  ^^,f  ^J  ^^i^  ^^fj^  ^vtctor    to-wit. :  Arthur  Johnston's 
I  brought  out,  as  well  as  of  Baron  J^f^^\  ^^^^  ,hat  I  kept  for 

Indian  Chief  so  noted  as  ^,f  "^^'  ^^"^^g  ^am  of  Craven  Knight  that 
myself,  but  did  no  good.  The  other  ^u^J^^f \\isit  vear  and  I  would 
was  my  choice  of  the  Sittyton  J^"  ^^^^l  °i,omfsecrHarH  bulls 

not  have  got  him  out  had  Crmckshank  not  promi^se^  Ha^^^  ^  ^^^^ 

rLTa  ^n?f^rint^te^^'nTJsrhi\lvf  n^e  first  choice  of  his  bull 
calves." 


686  A  HISTORY  OF  SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Victoria  63d — the  last  sire  used  in  the  herd  of  J.  H. 
Potts  &  Son.  A  trial  was  also  made  of  imp.  Royal 
Pirate  100640,  imported  direct  from  Sittyton  and 
sired  by  Gondolier  98287  out  of  Victoria  77th  by 
Dunblane.  This  was  a  bull  of  great  scale,  with  a 
remarkable  back,  but  scarcely  as  compactly  fash- 
ioned as  the  best  of  the  Scotch  type. 
•  Several  other  home-bred  bulls  were  tested.  One 
of  these,  Lord  Mayor  112727,  was  a  good  red,  sired 
by  Baron  Lavender  2d  out  of  imp.  Lady  of  the 
Meadow,  one  of  the  best  breeding  matrons  of  the 
herd.  It  was  from  Lord  Mayor  and  old  Norton's 
Golden  Drop  that  the  red  Golden  Lord  119422,  chief 
stock  sire  in  service  at  the  dispersion  of  the  herd, 
was  produced.  Galahad  103259,  a  short-legged,  well- 
fleshed  red — one  of  the  few  animals  sired  by  imp. 
Master  of  the  Rolls  99463— out  of  Galanthus,  daugh- 
ter of  imp.  Gladiolus,  was  also  largely  used  toward 
the  last.  He  had  been  sold  when  young  to  Messrs. 
Hawk  of  Beattie,  Kan.,  but  developed  such  typical 
Scotch  thrift  and  thickness  that  he  was  bought  back 
for  stock  purposes.  He  was  a  medium-sized  bull  of 
much  quality,  and  proved  a  useful  sire.  We  should 
also  mention  the  roan  Lord  Athol  122011 — by  Gold- 
en Knight  out  of  the  Potts-bred  J^ady  Athelstane  of 
Linwood  by  imp.  Knight  Templar  66658 — that  got 
from  Princess  Alice  a  high-priced  bull  presently  to 
be  mentioned. 

It  is  doubtful  if  the  history  of  Short-horn  breed- 
ing in  the  United  States  affords  a  more  striking 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  687 

illustration  of  enterprise  in  endeavoring  to  secure 
stock  bulls  of  the  highest  possible  merit  than  is  fur- 
nished by  the  record  of  Linwood  Farm.  In  addition 
to  the  various  bulls  already  named,  many  of  which 
were  bought  at  strong  prices,  the  champion  show 
bull  imp.  Cupbearer  91223  was  leased  from  Luther 
Adams  and  tried,  but  with  disappointing  results. 
From  Milton  E.  Jones,  Williamsville,  111.,  the  mel- 
low-skinned, short-legged  red  Spartan  Hero  77932 
was  hired  and  used  with  a  fair  degree  of  success. 
This  bull  was  of  Sittyton  breeding,  imported  by  Mr. 
Davidson  and  sold  to  Messrs.  Cookson  of  Iowa.  He 
was  sired  by  Barmpton  out  of  the  Secret  cow  Sou- 
venir by  Eoyal  Duke  of  Gloster. 

Col.  Harris  was  convinced  toward  the  close  of  his 
breeding  operations  that  the  Sittyton  cattle  stood  in 
need  of  fresh  blood.  In  1892  he  made  a  tour  of  Eng- 
land and  Scotland,  visiting  the  Eoyal  show  at  War- 
wick and  spending  some  time  with  Messrs.  Duthie, 
Cruickshank  and  Marr  in  Aberdeenshire.  He  found 
that  his  judgment  in  this  regard  did  not  differ  from 
that  of  the  best-informed  authorities  in  Great  Brit- 
ain, but  at  the  same  time  he  saw  nothing  upon  that 
trip  which  seemed  to  him  likely  to  cross  with  the 
Linwood  cows  and  heifers  with  better  prospects  of 
success  than  a  sort  already  within  the  limits  of  the 
Linwood  pastures  at  home.  He  therefore  deter- 
mined to  test  bulls  bred  from  the  Linwood  Golden 
Drops,  selecting  for  that  purpose  the  roan  Golden 
Pirate  103411,  the  red-roan  Golden  Knight  108086, 


688  A  HISTORY  OF  SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

and  the  red  Golden  Lord  119422.  Some  fresh  blood 
was  also  obtained  through  another  channel — the  fine 
Collynie  cow  now  to  be  mentioned. 

Princess  Alice. — In  the  purchase  of  this  superb 
daughter  of  Field  Marshal  the  proprietor  of  Lin- 
wood  gave  further  evidence  of  his  good  judgment 
and  great  enterprise.  Princess  Alice  was  beyond 
question  one  of  the  greatest  cows  produced  by  the 
Short-horn  breed  during  the  closing  years  of  the 
century,  adding  to  Field  Marshal's  European  fame 
by  producing  at  Linwood  some  of  the  best  stock 
bulls  used  in  the  United  States  in  the  recent  past. 
Selected  and  imported  by  William  Miller  for  Luther 
Adams,  and  a  champion  female  at  Western  State 
fairs  in  her  yearling  form,  she  was  bought  by  John 
Hope  of  Bow  Park  at  the  Lakeside  dispersion  of 
Chicago  in  1889.  Col.  Harris  purchased  her  shortly 
afterward,  and  for  a  number  of  years  she  was  one  of 
the  chief  ornaments  of  the  herd  that  grazed  the  luxu- 
riant pastures  of  Linwood. 

Bred  to  Craven  Knight  she  produced  in  1891  the 
roan  Young  Marshal  110705.  As  a  yearling  he  was 
broad,  low  and  thick,  and  was  sold  to  L.  W.-  Brown 
&  Son,  Sangamon  Co.,  111.,  who  fitted  him  for  the 
World's  Columbian  Exposition  at  Chicago  in  1893, 
winning  first  prize  in  the  class  for  two-year-old  bulls 
over  thirteen  competitors.  He  subsequently  passed 
into  the  possession  of  Mr.  Aaron  Barber,  Avon,  N. 
Y.,  in  whose  hands  he  sired  some  of  the  best  show 
cattle  seen  on  the  American  circuit  during  the  past 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  689 

ten  years,  besides  winning  prizes  himself  at  the  head 
of  the  Avon  herd.  While  he  grew  somewhat  uneven 
in  his  flesh  on  account  of  his  early  forcing  for  the 
Columbian,  he  was  a  bull  of  strong  character  and 
outstanding  substance.  In  January,  1892,  Alice  gave 
birth  to  the  roan  calf  Prince  Royal  113305,  by  Cra- 
ven Knight,  a  bull  of  fine  promise  that  was  sold  for 
service  in  the  herd  of  Thomas  H.  Mastin  of  Kansas 
City.  To  a  service  by  imjD.  Spartan  Hero  the  Prin- 
cess produced  in  December,  1892,  the  roan  Eoyal 
Hero  113611,  that  grew  into  a  massive,  mellow- 
fleshed  bull  that  had  the  distinguished  honor  of  win- 
ning, as  recently  as  1899,  for  Messrs.  Miller  of  Indi- 
ana the  championship  of  America  at  the  Illinois 
State  Fair  in  his  seven-year-old  form;  and  at  the 
same  show  one  of  his  daughters,  the  beautiful  roan 
Sallie  Girl,*  was  champion  female;  the  double  win- 
ning constituting  an  achievement  unique  in  the  an- 
nals of  the  Western  show-yard.  In  1893  Princess 
Alice  produced  Royal  Knight  117203,  red  with  white 
marks — sired  by  the  Golden  Drop  bull  Golden 
Knight  108086 — that  was  good  enough  to  be  used 
for  a  time  at  Linwood. 

Alice  had  bred  two  fine  heifers  to  services  by 
Craven  Knight  before  she  settled  down  to  the  bull 
trade;  one  known  as  Alice  Maude,  that  was  bought 
from  Luther  Adams  for  export  to  Mexico,  and  the 
other  the  rich-fleshed,  sappy  Fairy  Queen,  calved  at 

*  Sallie  Girl  was  descended  on  the  dam's  side  through  such  noted 
bulls  as  Dick  Taylor  5508,  Loudon  Duke  3097  and  imp.  Duke  of  Air- 
drie,  from  imp.  Gem  by  Broker. 


690  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Linwood  in  1890,  and  shown  successfully  by  Col. 
Harris.  These  were  both  paragons  of  Short-horu 
excellence,  but  the  one  went  abroad  and  the  other 
failed  to  breed.  The  old  cow  was  finally  sold  at  a 
good  price  to  Col.  T.  S.  Moberley  of  Kentucky,  along 
with  a  heifer  calf  (Alice  of  Forest  Grove)  by  Gala- 
had at  foot.  She  was  at  the  time  in  calf  to  the  young 
Linwood-bred  Lord  Athol  122011,  and  with  this 
service  resumed  bull  breeding,  giving  her  Kentucky 
buyer  the  red  Alice's  Prince  122593.  At  the  Mo- 
berley dispersion  the  cow  and  bull  calf  were  pur- 
chased by  E.  B.  Mitchel  &  Son,  Danvers,  111.,  who 
sold  Alice's  Prince  to  Messrs.  Wallace  of  Missouri, 
from  whom  he  has  recently  been  bought  by  Mr. 
Aaron  Barber  at  a  reported  price  of  $2,000.  The 
Galahad  heifer  went  to  Texas.  The  old  Princess 
finished  her  extraordinary  career  of  usefulness  by 
giving  the  Messrs.  Mitchell,  in  1897,  the  white  bull 
Prince  Armour  127794,  by  Baron  Cruickshank  3d 
117968,  that  has  maintained  the  credit  of  his  family 
during  the  past  two  seasons  by  repeated  winnings  on 
the  Western  circuit.  The  virtual  loss  of  the  three 
heifers  mentioned  was  little  short  of  a  calamity  to 
the  breed. 

Linwood 's  salutary  influence. — No  man  ever  un- 
dertook the  promotion  of  Short-horn  interests  more 
earnestly  or  unselfishly  than  Col.  Harris.  A  man  of 
strong  convictions,  sincere,  honest,  aggressive  and 
convincing  in  advocacy  of  what  he  believed  to  be 
right,  his  influence  as  a  breeder  and  as  a  director  of 


>  W 
S  O 

ii 

§=^ 

*    o 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  691 

the  Herd-Book  Association  upon  the  course  of  Short- 
horn breeding  in  America  during  the  period  follow- 
ing the  speculative  "boom"  of  the  "seventies"  was 
perhaps  greater  than  that  of  any  other  one  man 
identified  with  the  trade  from  1882  to  1895,  and  was 
ever  on  the  side  of  reason  and  sound  practice.  It 
w^as  generally  conceded  that  Linwood  at  its  best 
was  the  outstanding  herd  of  the  United  States,  and 
foreign  visitors  questioned  if  it  had  a  superior  in 
Great  Britain.  It  was  for  a  time  the  Mecca  toward 
which  Western  breeders  directed  their  steps  in  quest 
of  stock  sires.  While  the  surplus  w^as  usually  dis- 
posed of  at  good  prices  at  private  treaty,  the  herd 
was  maintained  for  the  most  part  during  a  period 
when  values  of  pedigreed  cattle  were  at  a  compara- 
tively low  ebb.  Nevertheless  several  successful  pub- 
lic sales  were  made  at  Chicago,  Kansas  City  and 
Manhattan,  Kan. 

Affairs  agricultural,  however,  were  drifting  from 
bad  to  worse.  After  the  financial  panic  of  1893,  dis- 
couraged by  the  profound  and  widespread  depres- 
sion, and  now  confronted  by  many  difficulties  in  his 
efforts  at  sustaining  the  merit  of  the  herd  at  its 
former  level,  the  proprietor  at  length  listened  to  the 
call  of  the  people  of  his  adopted  State  and  consented 
to  serve  them,  first  in  the  House  of  Eepresentatives 
and  later  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.  Under 
these  circumstances  the  dispersion  of  the  herd  was 
inevitable,  the  event  occurring  May  6,  1896,  at  the 
home  farm.    While  it  called  out  one  of  the  largest 


692  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

and  most  representative  gatherings  of  breeders  ever 
seen  upon  a  similar  occasion  in  the  Western  States, 
times  were  then  at  their  very  worst,  and  it  was  im- 
possiblje  that  anything  like  high  prices  should  be 
realized.  The  stock  had  not  been  kept  in  strong  con- 
dition during  the  few  seasons  immediately  preceding 
the  sale,  and  had  not  received  the  proprietor's  close 
personal  attention.  Many  of  the  "plums"  of  the 
herd  had  been  sold  privately.  Everything  upon  the 
farm,  except  a  few  old  cows,  was  catalogued,  and  the 
entire  lot  of  both  sexes  and  all  ages,  passed  through 
the  ring,  without  special  preparation,  at  a  general 
average  of  $205  for  the  sixty-three  head. 

J.  J.  Hill  of  North  Oaks.— In  the  summer  of  1882 
Mr.  J.  J.  Hill  of  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  the  railway  king 
of  the  Northwest,  began  importing  both  Scotch  and 
Bates-bred  Short-horns  from  Great  Britain.  He 
also  made  large  importations  of  Aberdeen-Angus 
cattle  from  Scotland.  Both  herds  were  maintained 
upon  the  sandy  soil  of  the  farm  at  North  Oaks,  near 
St.  Paul,  a  body  of  land  not  specially  adapted  for 
agricultural  purposes.  The  imported  cattle  were 
selected  mainly  by  Mr.  Kobert  Bruce. 

The  first  shipment  of  Short-horns  included  the 
massive,  prize-winning  roan  bull  Gambetta  (49618), 
bred  by  Mr.  Garhetty,  Fochabers,  Scotland,  tracing 
on  the  dam's  side  to  Fanny,  by  Garioch  Lad.  With 
Gambetta  came  the  fine  roan  cow  Rose  of  Dalkeith 
(of  the  Duke  of  Buccleuch's  breeding),  carrying  the 
blood  of  Eoyal  Errant  and    Sir   James    the    Rose. 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  693 

There  was  also  the  Clipper  cow  Cinderella  2d.  In 
May,  1883,  the  Bates-bred  roan  bull  Berkeley  Duke 
of  Oxford  2d  54790,  bred  by  Lord  Fitzhardinge  and 
sired  by  the  celebrated  Duke  of  Connaught,  was  im- 
ported along  with  three  Bates-bred  heifers.  Later 
in  the  year  additional  shipments  of  Scotch  and 
mixed-bred  cattle  of  much  individual  merit  were 
made,  embracing  such  good  cows  as  Belle  of  Albion, 
Golden  Lace,  Golden  Mint,  Fannie  B.  30th,  Jennie 
Lind  12th,  Venus  2d  and  Sweet  Pea.  In  June,  1884, 
Mr.  Hill  received  from  England  a  lot  of  Bates-bred 
cattle,  including  Grand  Duchesses  43d  and  47th, 
Duchess  of  Wappenham,  Duchess  of  Oxford  2d, 
Grand  Duchess  of  Barringtonia  5th,  Conishead  Wild 
Eyes  2d,  Wild  Lady  2d,  Lady  York  and  Thorndale 
Bates  8th,  and,  from  Lord  Lovat  of  Scotland,  Young 
Julia  3d. 

In  the  spring  of  1885  Mr.  Bruce  bought  on  order 
some  forty  yearling  bulls,  mainly  in  the  North  of 
Scotland,  that  were  shipped  out  to  North  Oaks.  He 
also  secured  for  Mr.  Hill  the  Highland  Society  ^s 
first-prize  roan  bull  Goldfinder  (47967),  bred  from 
the  famous  show  stock  of  Mr.  Handley  of  Westmore- 
land, and  sired  by  the  celebrated  English  bull  Sir 
Arthur  Ingram  (32490),  a  roan  bred  by  Linton  of 
Sheriff  Hutton.  Goldfinder  was  bought  from  Jas. 
Bruce  of  Burnside.  During  this  season  Mr.  John 
Hope,  who  was  buying  cattle  in  England  for  Bow 
Park,  selected  for  North  Oaks  ten  head  of  Duch- 
esses, Oxfords  and  other  Bates-bred  sorts,  among 


694  A   HISTOKY    OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

these  being  Duchess  125th  from  Allsopp's,  Duchess 
of  Leicester  from  Holf orcl  's  and  Duchess  of  Rowf ant 
from  Sir  Curtis  Lampson's. 

In  1886  Mr.  Hill  imported  the  bull  Duke  of  Surrey 
92018— of  A.  H.  Lloyd's  breeding,  sired  by  27th  Duke 
of  Airdrie  out  of  Grand  Duchess  48th — four  three- 
year-old  cows  and  one  heifer  calf.  He  also  pur- 
chased about  this  same  time  two  Grand  Duchess 
cows  at  a  sale  held  in  Chicago  by  Mr.  H.  Y.  Attrill, 
and  as  this  imported  bull  was  of  that  tribe  the  herd 
now  possessed  a  considerable  collection  of  the  Bates- 
bred  Duchesses.  The  females  sent  out  with  the 
Duke  of  Surrey  were  a  grand  lot,  including  the 
Highland  Society's  first-prize  two-year-old  heifer 
Chief  Lustre  2d,  the  three-year-old  Bonny  Gypsy 
bred  by  Mr.  Duthie,  Charm  from  Hugh  Aylmer's 
and  Severn  Daisy — an  English  winner  with  heifer 
calf  at  foot  by  Piers  Gaveston  (50159). 

On  May  9,  1888,  at  a  public  sale  at  North  Oaks, 
thirty-seven  head  sold  for  an  average  of  $360.50. 
William  Steele,  a  lumberman  of  Ionia,  Mich.,  bought 
Grand  Duchess  of  North  Oaks  2d  at  $1,550,  imp.  Ox- 
ford 29th  at  $1,000  and  imp.  Duke  of  North  Oaks  2d 
at  $750.  B.  C.  Rumsey  of  Buffalo  took  imp.  Duchess 
of  Rowfant  at  $1,900.*  H.  C.  G.  Bals  of  Indianapolis 
bought  North  Oaks  Lady  of  Oxford  2d  at  $1,550. 
Col.  William  S.  King  got  North  Oaks  Countess  of 
Oxford — a  white  yearling — at  $1,000.    A  number  of 


*Mr.  Rumsey  had  sold  twenty-three  head  of  Short-horns  at  Chi- 
cago on  the  previous  week  at  an  average  of  $343,  Mi\  William  Steele 
paying-  $1,100  for  Cambridge  Rose  22d  and  $1,080  for  Cambridge  Rose 
.?5th. 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  695 

Scotcli-bred  females  were  offered,  but  sold  at  a  much 
lower  range  of  values. 

Mr.  Hill  did  not  long  maintain  the  herd,  but  the 
blood  of  his  best  cattle  proved  of  much  value  to 
Western  breeders.  He  steadfastly  declined  to  com- 
pete at  the  fairs  with  breeding. stock,  but  for  several 
seasons  was  an  active  competitor  with  both  Short- 
horns and  Angus  at  the  Chicago  Fat-Stock  Show. 
Probably  his  best  Short-horn  steer  was  the  roan  Brit- 
isher, that  was  a  prize-winner  at  the  show  of  1889. 
John  T.  Gibson  had  charge  of  the  herds  until  April 
1,  1891,  when  William  Miller  assumed  the  manage- 
ment. The  latter  remained  at  the  helm  for  one  year. 
Twelve  months  later,  in  April,  1893,  he  purchased 
the  entire  North  Oaks  Herds  of  Short-horns  and 
Aberdeen- Angus — about  one  hundred  head  of  each. 
About  one-half  of  each  herd  was  shipped  to  Chicago 
and  sold  at  auction  at  the  panic  prices  then  prevail- 
ing. The  remainder  were  taken  to  Lakeside  Farm, 
Storm  Lake,  la.,  where  Mr.  Sherley,  the  proprietor, 
took  an  interest  in  them.  The  Short-homs  were  at 
length  dispersed  at  auction  at  Lakeside  in  1895. 

Hope's  show  herds  of  1887  and  1889.— In  the  fall 
of  1887,  Mr.  John  Hope,  manager  for  the  Messrs. 
Nelson  at  Bow  Park,  appeared  in  the  West  with  one 
of  the  most  remarkable  show  herds  seen  since  the 
days  of  Col.  King  of  Lyndale.  The  lot  was  headed 
by  the  very  good  show  bull  Baron  Warlaby,  but  was 
chiefly  remarkable  for  its  imported  females,  includ- 
ing Lady  Isabel,  Havering  Nonpareil  2d  and  Duchess 


696  A   HISTOEY   OF   SHOliT-HORN    CATTLE 

of  Lincoln,  selected  in  England  for  the  express  pur- 
pose of  '*  starring '^  the  American  show  circuit. 
Baron  Warlaby  was  bred  by  Mr.  Groff  of  Ontario, 
and  was  got  by  the  Booth-bred  Knight  of  Warlaby 
out  of  a  cow  tracing  to  imp.  Beauty  by  Snowball. 
Lady  Isabel  and  Havering  Nonpareil  2d  were  both 
shown  in  the  cow  class  at  the  great  Western  fairs 
of  1887,  creating  a  profound  sensation.  Both  were 
roans  of  magnificent  scale,  direct  from  the  hands  of 
expert  English  ^'fitters." 

Lady  Isabel,  called  by  Hope  "the  grandest  cow 
seen  since  Lady  Fragrant, ' '  was  bred  by  John  Outh- 
waite,  of  Bainesse,  Yorkshire,  and  was  sired  by  the 
white  bull  Crown  Prince  (38061) — a  brother  of  the 
Rev.  B.  B.  Kinnard's  renowned  English  show  cow 
Queen  Mary — out  of  Lady  Conyers  by  the  Royal 
prize  bull  Lord  Godolphin  (36065).  Notwithstand- 
ing the  fact  that  she  had  produced  two  heifers  and 
one  bull,  she  was  shown  in  reasonable  bloom  at  the 
enormous  weight  of  2,100  lbs.,  carried  upon  short, 
neat  bone.  Havering  Nonpareil  2d,  although  not 
laid  out  on  so  grand  a  scale  as  the  massive  Lady 
Isabel,  was  a  beautiful  type,  presenting  a  rare  com- 
bination of  flesh  and  finish,  entering  the  ring  at  a 
weight  of  near  2,000  lbs.  She  had  been  a  winner 
at  the  English  Royal,  and  on  account  of  her  beauti- 
ful quality  divided  the  admiration  of  American 
breeders  with  Lady  Isabel.*     She  was  bred  by  D. 

*At  the  Iowa  State  Fair  of  1887,  at  Des  Moines,  Wm.  Stocking  of 
Illinois,  the  awarding-  judge,  set  the  Nonpareil  over  Lady  Isabel.  This 
was  a  remarkable  Short-horn  show,  Mr.  Luther  Adams'  Scotch-bred 
imp.  Miss  Ramsden  9th  being  placed  after  the  two  Bow  Park  cows. 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  697 

Mclntosli  of  Havering  Park,  Essex,  England,  from 
Baron  Gwynne  2d  84510,  running  through  the 
famous  Telemachus  blood  to  the  Sittyton  Nonpareil 
base;  being  a  lineal  descendant  of  Nonpareil  19th, 
by  Matadore.  Duchess  of  Lincoln,  the  third  mem- 
ber of  Hope's  peerless  triumvirate,  was  an  extraor- 
dinary Bates-topped  two-year-old,  bred  by  J.  J. 
Sharp  of  Broughton,  Kettering,  England.  She  was 
a  strikingly-handsome,  broad-ribbed,  finely-condi- 
tioned roan,  of  commanding  show-yard  appearance, 
and  repeated  in  America  her  earlier  victories  on  the 
other  side  of  the  water. 

Hope's  last  appearance  in  the  show-ring  in  the 
States  was  in  the  fall  of  1889.  He  had  purchased 
imp.  Cupbearer  that  spring  at  the  Adams  sale  at 
Chicago,  and  to  avoid  a  troublesome  quarantine  had 
placed  him  in  the  capable  hands  of  Mr.  William  H. 
Gibson,  manager  for  B.  C.  Rumsey  at  Niagara  Stock 
Farm,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  It  must  be  said  to  Gibson's 
credit  that  the  bull  was  brought  out  that  fall  in  rare 
bloom.  When  he  appeared  at  the  head  of  the  Bow 
Park  Herd  at  the  Detroit  Exposition,  September, 
1889,  he  was  fit  to  stand  for  the  credit  of  the  breed 
in  any  company.  He  was  shown  at  a  weight  of 
2,500  lbs.,  and  barring  a  little  tendency  to  ^'roll" 
at  the  shoulder  was  as  smooth  as  a  yearling.  Rich- 
ard Gibson  was  the  judge  upon  this  occasion,  and 
while  sending  Cupbearer  to  head  the  aged  bull  class, 
when  it  came  to  the  championship  he  passed  him  in 
favor  of  Bow  Park's  yearling  Baron  Waterloo,  got 


698  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

by  Baron  Warlaby  78878  out  of  Wave  Surge  by  57tli 
Duke  of  Oxford,  tracing  through  Mr.  Torr's  "W^s/^ 
Aylesby  and  its  Short-horn  tribes  never  failed  to 
arouse  the  enthusiasm  of  Richard,  and  as  Baron 
Waterloo  was  really  a  well-ripened,  good-fleshed 
bull  there  was  some  basis  for  defense  of  his  unex- 
pected decision  placing  the  yearling  over  the  table- 
backed  Scot.  Hope  won  in  the  cow  class  with  Hav- 
ering Nonpareil  2d,  although  Mr.  Abram  Eenick,  the 
younger — who  had  succeeded  to  his  great-uncle's 
Eose  of  Sharon  herd — had  a  good  second  in  Rose- 
bud 35th.  Bow  Park  scored  also  in  two-year-old 
heifers  with  Isabella  3d,  a  handsome  daughter  of 
imp.  Lady  Isabel,  sired  by  Ingram 's  Chief  41833.  In 
fact  Hope  made  a  clean  sweep  by  drawing  the  blue 
in  both  the  yearling  and  heifer-calf  classes,  gaining 
both  championships  and  both  of  the  herd  prizes.* 


*The  affairs  of  the  Canada  West  Farm  Stock  Association  were 
closed  at  auction  at  Brantford  Jan.  15,  1885,  the  title  to  both  the  farm 
and  herd  passing  to  Messrs.  Thomas  Nelson  &  Sons  of  Liverpool.  The 
'real  estate  was  bought  in  at  $71,000,  the  115  head  of  Short-horns  at 
$95,000,  and  the  other  farm  effects  at  $14,680.  Mr.  John  Clay,  Jr.,  the 
present  head  of  the  American  stock-yards  commission  firm  of  Clay, 
Robinson  &  Co.,  had  meantime  been  placed  in  charge  as  financial  rep- 
resentative of  the  Messrs.  Nelson,  Mr.  Hope  continuing  to  act  as  herd 
manager,  serving  in  that  capacity  until  the  final  disposition  of  the  farm 
by  the  Nelsons  Jan.  1,  1894,  soon  after  which  event  Mr.  Hope  died.  The 
latter  had  for  a  long  series  of  years  been  one  of  the  most  conspicuous 
figures  in  the  American  live-stock  trade,  often  acting  as  judge,  not  only 
of  cattle  but  draft  and  coach  horses  and  other  varieties  of  farm  ani- 
mals. Fitting  tribute  has  been  paid  to  his  memory  by  Mr.  Clay,  whose 
literary  skill  has  so  often  been  employed  in  matters  touching  the  af- 
fairs of  those  whose  lives  are  spent  among  herds  and  flocks.  We  quote 
the  following  written  by  Mr.  Clay  for  the  Live-Stock  Report: 

"Probably  no  single  man  ever  had  such  a  varied  knowledge  of  the 
breeders  of  fine  stock  in  Europe  and  America  as  "genial  John."  We 
might  except  the  late  Simon  Beattie,  a  sort  of  companion-in-arms,  who 
had  gone  through  many  a  purchasing,  selling  and  sliowing  campaign 
with  the  above.  With  those  two  gentlemen  Richard  Gibson  was  often 
associated,  and  when  the  trio  met  there  was  an  accumulation  of  ex- 
perience in  breeding  and  feeding  all  classes  of  stock — of  the  folk  lore, 
we  might  call  it — of  the  bovine  world  of  anecdote,  by  sea  and  shore, 
never  equaled.     Two  have  gone  from  us,  while  the  third  remains  to 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  699 

Luther  Adams'  importations. — In  the  autumn  of 
1886  Mr.  Luther  Adams  of  Boston,  Mass.,  who  owned 
a  large  farm  at  Storm  Lake,  la.,  commissioned  Mr. 
William  Miller  to  proceed  to  Scotland  and  select  for 
his  account  a  shipment  of  the  best  young  cattle 
obtainable.  Miller  was  admirably  qualified  for  the 
work.  As  we  have  already  seen,  he  belonged  to  a 
family  that  had  been  identified  from  an  early  period 
with  the  importing  and  breeding  trade  of  Canada. 


wield  a  powerful  influence  in  agricultural  matters  throughout  the  States 
and  Canada. 

"John  Hope  was  born  over  fifty  years  ago  near  the  Cockermouth. 
Cumberland.  His  birthplace  was  near  to  an  old  church  with  a  won- 
derful belfry,  and  when  far  away  from  there  he  heard  the  chime  of 
bells  floating  across  the  Valley  of  the  Grand  River,  near  Brantford, 
Ont,  it  always  reminded  him  of  the  old  days  spent  in  his  native  par- 
ish. From  Cumberland  he  went  to  Canada,  spent  some  time  in  Mis- 
souri, a  year  or  two  at  Waukegan,  111.,  and  then  he  settled  down  in 
Ontario,  where  the  latter  part  of  his  life  was  spent,  first  as  a  farmer 
and  importer  of  fine  stock,  and  latterly  as  assistant  manager  and 
manager  of  Bow  Park.  During  the  last  two  months  he  had  purchased 
this  estate,  but  whether  the  actual  details  had  been  carried  through  or 
not  we  are  unable  to  say. 

"It  was  August,  1876,  in  the  Valley  of  the  Severn,  under  the 
shadow  of  the  Cotswold  Hills,  that  the  writer  first  met  Hope.  From 
that  day  a  chain  of  unbroken  friendship  that  had  to  stand  the  strain 
of  many  a  gale  remained  unbroken.  In  1877  or  1878  Hope  went  to 
Bow  Park  as  manager  of  the  herd,  then  one  of  the  largest  and  most 
valuable  in  the  world,  and  in  1879  I  joined  him  at  that  place.  Bow 
Park  was  not  a  financial  success.  It  was  started  when  the  Short- 
horn business  was  on  the  wane.  Here  it  was,  however,  that  John 
Hope  became  a  great  force  in  trans-Atlantic  agriculture.  Many  an 
object  lesson  he  gave  on  the  farm  amid  the  stately  oaks  that  surmount 
the  homestead  at  Bow  Park.  There  he  was  at. his  best.  The  fever  of 
strong  prejudices  was  laid  away,  and  before  you  was  the  animal.  Ah  I 
how  he  loved  to  look  at  them,  "\\lien  the  show  cows  were  let  out  from 
their  shady  boxes  at  sundown  to  graze  in  the  cool  night  air  then  came 
Hope's  enjoyment.  As  the  artist  loves  his  picture,  the  huntsman  his 
hound,  the  mother  her  child,  so  the  idol  of  our  friend  was  the  Short- 
horn cow.  For  years  it  was  the  Alpha  and  Omega  of  his  existence. 
Latterly,  when  a  happy  marriage  came  across  his  path,  and  a  beautiful 
family  to  cluster  round  him,  the  old  love  was  dimmed  a  little,  but 
the  virgin  fires  still  blazed,  and  no  later  than  the  great  show  of  cattle 
at  the  World's  Fair  Hope  was  there  as  intensely  interested  as  ever. 
In  the  show-yard  he  had  phenomenal  sviccess.  Will  the  present  race 
of  American  cattlemen  ever  forget  Duke  of  Clarence  4th,  Clarence 
Kirklevington,  and  the  herd  of  cows  and  heifers  which  a  few  years 
ago  swept  like  a  cyclone  through  the  show-yards  of  the  States  and 
Canada?  As  an  exhibitor  Hope  was  a  strong  partisan,  and  in  the 
jj'eculiar  politics  of  an  American  show-ring  he  was  an  adept.  Long 
years  of  experience  and  close  observation  had  made  him  so,  and  he 
only  fought  his   opponents  with   their  own  weapons.      As  a  judge  he 


700  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

As  a  young  man  he  had  bought  cattle  and  sheep  in 
Great  Britain ;  and  his  long  and  intimate  connection 
with  the  live-stock  interests  of  North  America  had 
given  him  an  experience,  a  seasoned  judgment  and 
an  acquaintance  on  both  sides  the  water  not  ex- 
celled by  any  other  individual  of  his  time.  A 
shrewd,  keen-witted,  ''all-around''  judge,  "Willie" 
Miller  ranks  as  one  of  the  makers  of  American 
Short-horn  histor^^ 

The  shipment  of  1886.— Canadian  quarantine  re- 
strictions had  rendered  impossible  the  further  for- 
warding of  the  Sittyton  surplus  to  Mr.  Davidson,  so 
that  it  came  to  pass  that  Mr.  Cruickshank 's  final 
American  outlet  was  through  the  medium  of  Mr. 
Adams.  Arriving  in  Aberdeenshire  Mr.  Miller  re- 
paired at  once  to  Sittyton.  Mr.  Cruickshank  was 
well  sold  out  of  bulls  at  the  time,  having  but  one 

was  strictly  impartial,  and  as  an  all-round  man  was,  so  far  as  my  ob- 
servation goes,  wthout  an  equal.  In  the  show-yard  arena  during  the 
last  twenty  years  I  have  watched  many  an  exhibitor  and  judge.  Years 
ago  I  saw  an  Elliot  of  Hindhope,  a  Booth  of  Warlaby,  a  Drewry  of 
Holker  take  their  parts  in  the  play.  In  latter  years  all  of  us  have 
seen  a  Tait  of  Windsor,  Gibson  of  Canada,  Billy  Leavitt  in  the  Chi- 
cago Stock-Yards,  and  d,  host  of  others,  all  men  of  quick  perception  ; 
but  when  it  came  down  to  close  judgment,  whether  it  was  a  hound,  a 
horse,  or  a  Hereford,  I  think  John  Hope  would  have  got  the  laurel 
wreath,  for  with  him  it  was  intuition.  He  was  quick,  keen,  decisive, 
almost  too  rapid  for  the  general  public,  but  he  was  always  there  or 
thereabouts  when  the  best  animal  had  to  be  picked  from  the  bunch. 

"In  personal  appearance  Hope  was  broad  and  burly,  a  grand  speci- 
men of  the  English  yeoman.  Apart  from  his  general  contour  his  promi- 
nent feature  was  the  eye.  He  was  the  possessor  of  a  pair  of  great 
luminous  blue  eyes,  that  imparted  to  his  appearance  a  singularly  soft 
and  winning  expression.  When  a  child  entered  the  room  it  invariably 
went  straight  up  to  him,  and  through  those  eyes  beamed  forth  all 
that  was  tender  and  true  in  his  nature.  Simple  himself  as  a  child, 
generous  to  a  fault,  strong  in  his  friendships,  with  the  heart  of  a  lion, 
yet  the  mildness  and  gentleness  of  a  lamb,  he  leaves  behind  a  record 
for  probitj'  as  a  heritage  to  all  who  knew  him.  Let  us  inscribe  this- 
sentiment  to  his  memory :  That  the  leading  feature  of  his  life  was 
sympathy  :  or,  to  go  deeper  still,  shall  we  call  it  love — love  of  man- 
kind and  the  dumb  creation,  that  flower  which  has  bloomed  perennially 
ever  since  the  day  Adam  and  Eve  left  the  gates  of  Paradise." 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  701 

for  sale  that  was  deemed  worthy  of  importation. 
This,  the  red  calf  Harvester,  by  Baron  Violet,  was 
bought  along  with  the  choice  heifers.  Simplicity, 
Gwendoline,  Athene,  Golden  Feather,  Sorrel,  Golden 
Crest  and  Violet  Mist.  The  chief  stock  bull  at  Sitty- 
ton  at  this  time  was  Cumberland,  concerning  which 
bull  Mr.  Miller  says :  ' '  Cumberland  was  then  in  his 
prime,  a  massive  roan,  with  great  quality  and  thick- 
ness of  flesh,  very  strong  back  and  loin,  good  strong 
head  and  long  quarters,  but  did  not  carry  himself 
with  as  much  style  as  one  would  like.  The  more  you 
looked  at  him  the  more  you  thought  of  him,  but 
when  one  saw  his  mother.  Custard,  a  grand  roan,  it 
w^as  not  hard  to  divine  where  he  got  his  breed- 
ing qualities.  Cumberland's  son,  Feudal  Chief, 
(51251),  out  of  a  Lavender  dam,  w^as  then  being- 
used  freely  in  the  herd.  Mr.  Cruickshank  seemed 
to  place  much  confidence  in  him,  but  Mr.  Miller  was 
not  altogether  pleased  with  the  bull.  He  adds: 
"Commodore  (54118),  a  grand  roan  by  Baron  Violet 
(47444)  out  of  Custard,  the  dam  of  Cumberland,  was 
the  best  bull  I  saw  at  Sittyton.  He  was  not  so  mas- 
sive as  Cumberland,  but  finer.  I  tried  every  way  I 
could  to  buy  him  for  Mr.  Adams,  but  Mr.  Cruick- 
shank would  not  price  him. ' '  The  herds  at  Collynie 
and  Uppermill  were  visited,  and  as  young  stock  by 
Field  Marshal  and  William  of  Orange  were  at  that 
time  being  offered,  some  advantageous  purchases 
were  made  from  Messrs.  Duthie  and  Marr.  From 
the  former  he  got  the  Field  Marshal  heifers  Viola 


702  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

5tli,  Fragrance,  Lady  Dorothy  2d  and  Bashful  2d,* 
besides  the  young  bull  Lord  Lancaster  by  same  sire. 

Cupbearer  bought. — The  yearling  bull  Cupbearer 
(52692)  had  just  been  sold  by  Mr.  Duthie  to  an  On- 
tario breeder  and  sent  to  Liverpool  for  shipment,  but 
on  account  of  the  Canadian  quarantine  proclamation 
he  had  to  be  returned  to  Collynie,  whereupon  Mr. 
Miller  secured  him  for  Mr.  Adams.  He  had  been 
shown  during  the  summer  of  1886  as  a  yearling,  win- 
ning first  prize  in  a  good  class  of  two-year-olds  at 
the  Royal  Northern  and  had  the  reserve  number  next 
to  Field  Marshal.  He  was  a  roan  sired  by  Rob  Roy 
(45484)  out  of  the  prize  cow  Countess  4th,  descend- 
ing from  Mr.  Cruickshank  's  Fragrance  by  Matadore, 
and  became  the  champion  show  bull  of  America. 
From  Mr.  Marr  was  obtained  Missie  99th,  Sweet 
Brier  7th,  Flora  89th  and  a  young  bull  by  William 
of  Orange.  A  promising  bull  calf.  Prince  Charlie, 
bred  by  P.  R.  Smith  of  Aberdeenshire,  and  one  or 
two  others  from  local  breeders  came  with  the  first 
importation. 

West  Liberty  sale. — Mr.  Adams  had  meantime 
been  a  buyer  of.  American-bred  stock  of  standard 
Bates  and  other  established  varieties,  and  a  selection 
of  these  along  with  the  major  portion  of  the  impor- 
tation above  mentioned  was  offered  at  public  sale 
at  West  Liberty,  la..  May  12,  1887.    The  catalogue 


*Bashful  2d — of  the  Miss  Ramsden  tribe — was  what  American 
breeders  term  a  genuine  "double-decker" — a  beefy,  broad-backed  cow 
with  a  larg-e,  shapely  udder.  She  was  a  heavy  milker  and  was  one  of 
the  cows  chosen  in  1893  to  represent  the  breed  in  the  Columbian  Dairy 
Test. 


CLOSIXG  EVENTS   OF  THE   CENTURY  703 

contained  the  two  Bates-bred  heifers  Lady  Barring- 
ton  Bates  and  Lady  AVinsome  Wild  Eyes  2d,  from 
one  of  Howard  Gibson's  importations,  and  as  the 
rivalry  betw^een  the  Bates  and  Scotch  factions  w^as 
running  high  at  this  time  much  speculation  was  in- 
dulged in  as  to  relative  prices  likely  to  prevail. 
Practically  all  the  leading  breeders  of  the  West 
were  present,  and  as  the  cattle  were  brought  for- 
ward in  good  form,  notwithstanding  their  recent  At- 
lantic voyage,  some  excellent  prices  were  realized. 
Evidently  a  majority  of  those  present  w^ere  attract- 
ed by  the  Aberdeenshire  lots,  and  as  a  result  of  a 
sharp  contest  betw^een  the  late  Robert  Miller  and  C. 
W.  Xorton  of  Durant,  la.,  the  Sittyton  Secret  heifer 
Simplicity  w^as  taken  by  the  latter  at  $1,200.  Mr. 
Norton  also  took  out  the  highest-priced  bull  of  the 
day,  imp.  Prince  Charlie,  at  $1,000.  Lady  Barring- 
ton  Bates  brought  $1,060  and  the  imported  Scotch 
heifers  sold  at  an  average  around  $500.  Robt.  Miller 
secured  some  of  the  best  of  these,  among  others  the 
roan  Violet  Mist,  afterw^ard  the  property  of  C.  B. 
Dustin,  that  grew  into  a  genuine  ' '  double-decker ' ' — 
a  good  breeder,  a  heavy  flesh-carrier  when  not  in 
milk  and  possessing  marked  dairy  quality.  It  was 
at  this  sale  that  C.  S.  Barclay  of  West  Liberty  se- 
lected Harvester  at  $500.  The  forty-tw^o  head  offered 
made  an  average  of  $328.35.* 


*Mr.  Miller  fitted  and  exhibited  for  Mr.  Adams  at  the  fall  fairs  of 
1887  a  herd  headed  by  Strathearn  77994,  a  compactly-built,  thick- 
fleshed  red,  bred  by  John  Miller  &  Son,  Brougham,  Ont,  descending 
from  imp.  Rose  of  Strathallan,  that  was  probably  the  most  valuable 
breeding  cow  John  Miller  ever  owned.     She  lived  to  be  nineteen  years 


704  A   HISTORY    OF    SHORT-HORX    CATTLE 

The  memorable  purchase  of  1887.— In  the  fall  of 
1887  Mr.  Miller  again  visited  Scotland,  purchasing 
no  less  than  thirty-one  head  of  heifers  and  thirty- 
nine  young  bulls,  all  from  the  herds  of  Cruickshank^ 
Duthie,  Marr  and  Campbell — the  largest  importation 
ever  made  direct  from  Aberdeenshire  to  the  United 
States.  The  value  of  this  lot  of  cattle  to  American 
herds  can  scarcely  yet  be  fairly  estimated.  Among 
the  females  were  the  grand  roan  Brawith  Bud  cow 
Germanica  from  Sittyton,  the  thick  heifers  Proud 
Belle,  Charity  3d  and  the  great  roan  Princess  Alice 
from  Collynie;  while  among  the  bulls,  then  all  un- 
known to  fame,  were  Craven  Knight,  Gay  Monarch, 
Indian  Chief,  Freemason,  Pro  Consul,  Mephisto- 
pheles  and  Master  of  the  Mint.  A  selection  from 
this  lot  was  offered  at  auction  at  Dexter  Park,  Chi- 


ef age,  and  this  reference  to  Strathearn  reminds  us  that  no  less  than 
eleven  direct  descendants  of  the  famous  old  cow  won  at  different  times 
championship  prizes  in  Canada  and  the  United  States.  Mr.  John  Mil- 
ler bought  Rose  of  Strathallan  just  after  she  had  gained  the  gold 
medal  at  the  Highland  Show  of  1870  in  her  five-year-old  form.  She 
carried  at  the  time  the  famous  bull  Lord  Strathallan,  already  men- 
tioned. The  West  as  well  as  the  Dominion  is  indebted  to  John  Mil- 
ler for  many  good  cattle  and  the  author  has  pleasure  in  here  record- 
ing a  passing  recognition  of  the  value  of  his  services  as  a  breeder  and 
importer.  He  is  still  living  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty-three  years 
and  figures  as  one  of  the  strongest  and  sturdiest  characters  ever 
identified  with  our  live-stock  interests.  Like  most  of  the  Canadian 
breeders  who  have  succeeded  so  well  with  Short-horns  Mr.  Miller  is  a 
Scot.  The  herd  at  Brougham  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  Dominion. 
Among  the  earliest  sires  used  were  Oxford  ]\Iazurka  from  Woodburn, 
Canadian  Prince,  of  Campbell  origin,  and  Fawsley  Chief,  a  Torr-Booth. 
For  many  years  past  none  but  Scotch. bulls  have  been  used,  included 
among  them  being  the  famous  Vice  Consul  (brought  to  the  States  by 
Messrs.  Sanger),  Sittyton  Stamp,  etc.  Mr.  Miller's  sons  are  widely 
and  favorably  known  and  Robert  has  made  many  trips  across  the  At- 
lantic, buying  cattle  and  sheep  for  show  and  breeding  purposes.  In- 
deed, few,  if  any,  families  have  a  longer  or  more  honorable  identifica- 
tion with  American  stock-breeding  interests  than  the  Millers. 

Imp.  Cupbearer  was  shown  in  this  Lakeside  herd  of  1887  as  a 
two-year-old,  and  while  much  admired  had  not  assumed  the  phenome- 
nal show-yard  form  which  he  afterward  attained.  The  cow  of  this 
show  herd  was  Miss  Ramsden  9th,  an  1,865-lb.  red,  with  a  remarka- 
ble heart-girth,  and  the  two-year-old  heifer  was  her  own  sister.  Miss 
Ramsden  10th. 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  705 

cago,  May  16,  1888.  •  While  appreciation  of  Scotcli 
blood  for  crossing  purposes  on  American-bred  cows 
was  now  general  tiirongliout  the  entire  country, 
prices  for  all  classes  of  cattle  were  still  upon  a  very 
moderate  basis.  Hence  high  values  were  not  to  be 
thought  of.  It  was  here  that  J.  G.  Robbins  &  Sons, 
Horace,  Ind.,  made  the  "hit"  of  their  career  as 
breeders  by  selecting  the  roan  Marr-bred  calf  Gay 
Monarch,  by  William  of  Orange  out  of  Alexandria 
17th  by  Athabasca  at  $375.  Messrs.  Cookson  got  Pro 
Consul  at  $630.  Francis  Davis  of  Minnesota  bought 
Freemason  at  $300.  Arthur  Johnston  secured 
Indian  Chief  at  $350,  and  J.  F.  Prather  of  Village 
Park,  Williamsville,  111.,  took  out  Mephistopheles 
at  $300;  the  twenty-five  bulls  averaging  $308.  It 
must  be  borne  in  mind  that  these  calves  had  been 
weaned  at  a  comparatively  early  age  in  Scotland, 
shipped  4,000  miles  and  offered  before  opportunity 
had  been  had  for  putting  them  in  condition.  Had 
they  been  fed  for  six  months  or  a  year  they  would 
doubtless  have  averaged  double  the  money.  Mr. 
Miller  insisted  at  the  time  that  the  youngsters 
would  grow  out  in  a  way  that  would  fairly  astonish 
buyers,  and  his  words  upon  this  point  indeed  proved 
prophetic.  The  highest-priced  heifer  sold  at  this 
sale  was  imp.  Lady  of  the  Meadow,  taken  by  T.  W. 
Harvey  at  $575. 

Lakeside's  show  herd  of  1888.— At  the  shows  of 
1888  Lakeside  came  forward  in  force.  Cupbearer 
was  now  a  three-year-old  and  had  improved  wonder- 


706  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

fully  with  twelve  months'  feeding.  He  was  never  a 
typical  Scotch  bull,  lacking  the  essential  element  of 
early  maturity,  but  as  a  three-year-old  he  displayed 
that  marvelous  back,  loin  and  hip-covering  for  which 
he  was  afterward  so  famous.  Still  he  wanted  filling 
at  the  flanks.  A  smoother  bull  probably  never  stood 
in  the  American  show-ring.  It  was  a  strong  class 
at  the  Iowa  State  Fair  that  year,  including  N.  P. 
Clarke's  big  red,  Canadian-bred  Oscar,  Barr's  imp. 
Scotland's  Hero  and  the  Duthie-bred  Crown  Prince, 
also  shown  by  Mr.  Clarke.  First  prize  here  fell  to 
Oscar,  but  at  the  Illinois  show  Cupbearer  went  to 
the  front,  winning  over  Varner's  Frederick  William 
4th,  Wilhoit's  Athelstane  3d  and  other  good  ones. 
Along  with  Cupbearer  there  came  from  Storm  Lake 
this  season  the  great  cows  Germanica  and  Miss 
Eamsden  9th.  Mr.  Clarke  was  showing  the  beauti- 
ful Kinellar-bred  Goldie  cow  Gypsy  Maid,*  and 
when  to  such  as  these  we  add  Wilhoit's  Young 
Necklace  fair-goers  of  that  period  will  have  called 
to  their  minds  visions  of  Short-horn  beauty  such  as 
are  rarely  equaled.  Lakeside  was  "loaded"  this 
same  year  in  the  two-year-old  heifers  with  Mr. 
Duthie's  Proud  Belle,  of  a  wonderfully  wide-ribbed, 
fleshy  type.     The  peerless  Princess  Alice  was  the 

*Mr.  Clark's  Gypsy  Maid  was  one  of  the  finest  specimens  of  the 
breed  of  her  time  in  tlie  United  States.  Slie  possessed  sometliing-  of 
the  same  quality  and  character  as  Princess  Alice,  and  lil^e  that  cow 
left  a  valuable  progeny.  She  was  a  roan,  bred  by  Campbell  of  Kinel- 
lar,  from  the  Sitty ton-bred  Vermont  78225 — running-  through  Harmony 
by  Pride  of  the  Isles  to  Mr.  Marr's  Goldie  tribe — and  was  imported  in 
September,  1885,  by  John  Isaac  of  Canada.  She  combined  rare  thick- 
ness with  admirable  finish,  and  was  a  milker  as  well  as  a  flesh-car- 
rier. She  was  often  shown  with  success,  and  was  the  champion  fe- 
male of  the  breed  at  the  Iowa  State  Fair  of  1889. 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE  CENTURY  707 

yearling  and  she  displayed  such,  extraordinary 
quality  that  she  was  made  female  champion  at  sev- 
eral of  the  leading  fairs  of  the  Western  circuit.  It 
was  a-  great  herd  and  when  it  gained  the  champion- 
ship over  all  beef  breeds  at  "The  American  RoyaP' 
— the  Illinois  State  Fair  at  Olney— it  was  indeed  a 
proud  day  for  "Willie"  Miller  and  the  Scots. 

Third  and  last  lot.— In  January,  1889,  the  third 
and  last  of  the  Luther  Adams  lots  came  over.  It 
consisted  of  twelve  young  bulls  and  eighteen  heifers, 
all  from  Sittyton,  the  get  of  Gondolier,  Feudal  Chief, 
Standard  Bearer,  Cumberland  and  Commodore. 
Soon  after  these  had  been  put  through  quarantine 
Mr.  Adams  decided  upon  a  dispersion  sale  of  the 
entire  Lakeside  stock,  including  the  bulls  of  the  last 
importation  and  the  show  herd  of  1888.  Even  the 
best  cattle  were  not  commanding  long  prices  in 
those  days.  Breeders  found  it  necessary  to  econ- 
omize in  every  possible  way,  and  Mr.  Adams  felt 
that  the  situation  was  such  that  it  was  impossible 
to  continue  importations  from  Scotland  with  any 
prospect  of  reselling  at  a  profit.  He  accordingly 
disposed  of  his  farm  to  Mr.  T.  H.  Sherley  of  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  and  catalogued  sixty-six  head  of  Short- 
horns to  be  sold  at  Dexter  Park,  Chicago,  April  25, 
1889.  Few  better  lots  ever  went  under  the  auc- 
tioneer's hammer  in  the  Western  States,  and  if  by 
some  witchery  this  herd  could  be  restored  to  life  and 
put  on  the  market  in  these  prosperous  closing  days 
of  the  nineteenth  century  quite  another  story  could 


708  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOPJT-nOTtX   CATTLE 

be  told  as  the  result.  The  beautiful  Princess  Alice 
fell  to  the  bidding  of  John  Hope  of  Bow  Park  at 
$710.  John  was  never  accused  of  being  partial  to 
Scotch-bred  cattle,  but  such  as  Princess  Alice  ap- 
pealed to  his  skilled  judgment  with  irresistible 
force.  Mr.  Dustin  got  Victoria  79th,  Proud  Belle 
and  Germanica  2d  at  $425,  $420  and  $325  respec- 
tively. Hugh  Draper,  Washington,  la.,  got  the  rich- 
fleshed  roan  Fatima  at  $400.  Messrs.  Potts  secured 
Germanica  at  $395.  Miss  Eamsden  10th  went  to  L. 
H.  Conn  of  St.  Louis  at  $325.  Princess  Alice 's  sappy 
heifer  Alice  Maude  was  secured  by  the  author  of 
this  volume  on  a  bid  of  $300  for  export  to  Mexico. 
J.  E.  Jones  &  Son,  Williamsville,  111.,  bought  Blythe- 
some  Bride  at  $230.  The  show  bull  Strathearn  went 
to  Geo.  Harding  &  Son,  Waukesha,  Wis.,  at  $700. 
Cupbearer  was  bought  by  John  Hope  at  $650.  C.  C. 
Platter,  Eed  Oak,  la.,  got  imp.  Bandmaster,  after- 
ward noted  as  a  sire  in  the  herd  of  H.  D.  Parsons, 
at  $630.  The  entire  sixty-six  head  offered  brought 
an  average  of  $289.69. 

The  heifers  in  the  importation  of  1889  were  sold 
along  with  Lakeside  Farm  to  Mr.  Sherley,  who  sub- 
sequently disposed  of  most  of  them  at  private  treaty 
to  Col.  W.  A.  Harris  and  the  late  John  McHugh  of 
Cresco,  la.  The  lot  sold  included  sixteen  yearling 
heifers  of  Cruickshank,  Duthie  and  Marr  breeding, 
one-half  of  which  went  to  Linwood  along  with  the 
bull  Craven  Knight. 

The  Short-horn  herd  bred  at  Lakeside  from  the 


CLOSIXG  EVENTS  OF  THE  CEXTURY  709 

North  Oaks  and  Luther  Adams  purchases  was  closed 
out  at  auction  on  June  12,  1895,  at  an  average  of 
$204  for  the  forty-six  head  offered.  The  stock  bull 
Knight  of  the  Thistle  108656,  by  Craven  Knight, 
tracing  to  imp.  Eose  of  Strathallan,  was  bought  by 
Mr.  H.  C.  Stuart  of  Saltville,  Va.,  at  $650.  Col.  T. 
S.  Moberley  gave  $500  for  the  roan  Cupbearer  cow 
Grwendoline  2d,  and  for  her  daughter  Gwendoline 
3d  Maj.  J.  T.  Cowan,  Cowan's  Mill,  Va.,  paid  a  like 
sum.  In  addition  to  Knight  of  the  Thistle  Mr.  Miller 
had  used  German  Laird  98182,  by  Strathearn  77994 
out  of  the  Pure  Gold  or  Brawith  Bud  cow  imp. 
Germanica.* 

Gwendoline  2d  was  a  prime  favorite  with  Mr. 
Miller.  She  was  a  regular  breeder,  a  heavy  milker, 
with  a  wide,  strong  back  and  beautiful  character. 
He  often  compared  her  with  the  celebrated  English 
champion  show  cow  the  great  Mollie  Millicent.f 

Last  successful  Duchess  sale. — Allusion  has  here- 
tofore been  made  to  the  fact  that  Messrs.  Eigdon 
Huston  &  Son  of  Blandinsville,  111.,  purchased  the 


*Tt  was  from  this  herd  that  Mr.  Abram  Renick,  the  younger,  bought 
the  bulls  Wallace  117654,  by  German  Laird  out  of  the  Wild  Eyes  cow- 
North  Cakes  Duchess  of  Worcester  2d,  and  Royal  Scot  117217,  by 
Knight  of  the  Thistle  out  of  Gwendoline  2d,  for  the  purpose  of  in- 
troducing some  fresh  blood  into  the  Rose  of  Sharon  herd  left  him  as 
a  legacy  on  the  death  of  his  great-uncle,  Abram  Renick,  in  1884. 

fLakeside  Farm  was  bought  from  Mr.  Shirley  by  Mr.  Miller  in  1898 
and  upon  that  valuable  Iowa  property  the  veteran  breeder  and  im- 
porter is  spending  his  declining  years,  feeding  operations  engaging 
most  of  his  attention.  His  occasional  contributions  to  the  Breeder's 
Gazette  have  reflected  not  only  his  fine  vein  of  humor  but  liteiary 
ability  of  the  highest  order.  That  gifted  American  author,  Donald  G. 
Mitchell  ("Ik  Marvel")  in  forwarding  a  communication  of  his  own, 
prepared  especially  for  one  of  the  Christmas  issues  of  the  Gazette,  re- 
ferred to  an  article  of  Mr.  Miller's  in  a  prior  issue  with  this  comment : 
"When  you  can  secure  such  matter  as  Mr.  Miller's  article  of  last 
year  from  within  the  ranks  of  your  own  constituency  I  do  not  see  why 
you  need  call  professional  literary  men  to  your  aid/' 


710  A  HISTOEY   OF   SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

entire  Bates-bred  herd  of  Col.  Le  G.  B.  Cannon  of 
Vermont  and  added  it  to  their  Hilldale  stock  in 
1881  at  a  cost  of  $50,000  for  thirty-two  head.  The 
Cannon  herd  contained  several  representatives  of 
the  Airdrie  Duchess  tribe,  obtained  from  Hillhurst, 
and  as  the  Messrs.  Huston  were  among  the  most 
practical  of  our  Western  breeders  they  were  success- 
ful in  producing  from  this  purchase  a  good  number 
of  first-class  animals.  They  had  in  service  for  a  time 
the  22d  Duke  of  Airdrie  16695  and  subsequently 
bought  from  Bow  Park  for  $5,000  a  good  rich-roan 
son  of  4th  Duke  of  Clarence,  known  as  2d  Duke 
of  Brant  55479,  a  bull  of  admirable  quality  and 
character. 

After  the  death  of  Eigdon  Huston  the  herd  was 
closed  out  at  auction  at  Dexter  Park,  Chicago,  Nov. 
21  and  22,  1888,  under  the  management  of  the  son, 
Mr.  Theodore  Huston.*  There  were  twelve  head  of 
Dukes  and  Duchesses  in  the  sale,  all  descended  from 
the  celebrated  10th  Duchess  of  Airdrie,  and  like  the 
Hillhurst  lot  sold  at  same  place,  as  noted  on  page 
663,  they  were,  as  a  rule,  of  superior  individual 
merit  and  brought  good  prices.  It  was  claimed  at 
the  time  that  this  was  the  best  collection  of  Duch- 


♦Rigdon  Huston  was  one  of  the  pioneer  breeders  of  the  West  and 
was  a  man  of  the  highest  character,  xiniversally  esteemed.  He  had 
from  early  days  been  an  owner  of  pure-bred  Short-horns,  chosen  pri- 
marily for  their  individual  merit,  and  he  was  to  the  last  a  consistent 
advocate  of  quality  in  the  animal  as  a  consideration  paramoimt.  His 
son  Theodore  was  of  a  speculative  turn  of  mind  and  did  not  engage 
as  a  partner  in  breeding  witli  his  fatlier  until  the  purchase  of  the 
Cannon  herd  was  consunmiated.  In  1893  Theodore  Huston,  who  was 
in  very  ill  health,  was  appointed  United  States  Consul  at  El  Paso.  Tex., 
but  even  the  mild  climate  of  that  region  did  not  save  him  from  an 
early  death. 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  711 

esses  in  existence  on  either  side  of  the  water — a 
fact  which  was  largely  due  to  the  undoubted  skill 
of  the  Messrs.  Huston.  The  "plum''  of  the  females 
was  the  two-year-old  heifer  8th  Duchess  of  Hilldale, 
that  brought  the  long  price  of  $6,600  from  William 
Steele  of  Ionia,  Mich.  The  same  buyer  took  the 
stock  bull  2d  Duke  of  Brant  at  $3,000.  Mr.  William 
Wright  of  Detroit,  Mich.,  bought  the  five-year-old 
roan  4th  Duchess  of  Hilldale  at  $2,600.  John  Hope 
bid  off  the  roan  yearling  12th  Duchess  of  Hilldale 
at  $3,000.  H.  C.  G.  Bals  of  Indianapolis  took  the  red 
heifer  calf  14th  Duchess  of  Hilldale  at  $2,250.  For 
the  red-and-white  six-year-old  cow  3d  Duchess  of 
Hilldale  Messrs.  Flynn  &  Elbert,  Des  Moines,  la., 
paid  $2,050.  W.  H.  Carlyle,  Plymouth,  0.,  secured 
the  four-year-old  6th  Duchess  of  Hilldale  at  $1,950. 
B.  C.  Rumsey  of  Buffalo  took  the  red-roan  yearling 
11th  Duchess  of  Hilldale  at  $1,800.  T.  C.  Ander- 
son, Side  View,  Ky.,  got  the  matron  of  the  tribe,  the 
ten-year-old  7th  Duchess  of  Hillhurst,  at  $1,700.  W. 
W.  Benton,  Mendon,  111.,  bought  the  roan  heifer  calf 
13th  Duchess  of  Hilldale  at  $1,550.  John  Hope  took 
the  red  bull  calf  16th  Duke  of  Hilldale  at  $1,650.  G. 
H.  Barnett  of  Pennsylvania  bought  the  roan  bull 
calf  13th  Duke  of  Hilldale  at  $900.  The  nine 
females  averaged  $2,611;  three  bulls  averaged 
$1,850;  the  twelve  head  bringing  $29,050 — an  aver- 
age of  $2,420.85.  Seven  head  of  Barringtons,  sold 
upon  this  same  occasion,  averaged  $360;  six  Kirk- 
levingtons  averaged  $352.50;  the  seventy-nine  ani- 


712  A  HISTORY  OP   SHOKT-HOEN   CATTLE 

mals  catalogued  bringing  $43,320 — an  average  of 
$548.35. 

The  old  7tli  Duchess  of  Hillhurst  subsequently 
reverted  to  Mr.  Theodore  Huston  and  was  sold 
along  with  her  heifer  15th  Duchess  of  Hilldale  at 
an  auction  sale  held  at  Abingdon,  111.,  Maj^  13,  1891, 
in  connection  with  a  lot  of  cattle  belonging  to  Mr. 
Strawther  Givens  of  that  place,  both  of  the  Duch- 
esses going  to  George  Allen,  Allerton,  111.,  at  $1,000 
for  the  old  cow  and  $1,500  for  the  heifer.  The  10th 
Duchess  of  Airdrie  ranks  next  in  Duchess  history  to 
Duchess  66th,  ancestress  of  the  Xew  York  Mills  lot. 
The  great  Woodburn  matron  that  passed  from  Mr. 
Alexander's  hands  to  George  Murray  of  Eacine,  and 
from  him  to  Hon.  M.  H.  Cochrane,  left  a  family  of 
descendants  that  sold  in  the  aggregate  at  public  and 
private  sale  for  a  total  of  about  $300,000.  The  old 
cow  died  at  an  advanced  age  in  1884,  the  property 
of  Maj.  S.  E.  Ward,  Westport,  Mo. 

Sale  of  the  Sittyton  herd.— In  May,  1889,  the 
Short-horn  breeding  world  was  startled  by  the  re- 
port that  the  entire  Sittyton  herd,  consisting  at  that 
date  of  154  head,  had  been  sold  at  private  treaty  to 
James  Nelson  &  Sons  of  Liverpool,  Eng.,  for  expor- 
tation to  the  Argentine  Republic,  South  America. 
Those  who  had  enjoyed  intimate  relations  with  Mr. 
Cruickshank  were  aware  that  the  old  gentleman  had 
long  contemplated  retiring  from  tlie  profession  in 
which  he  had  gained  world-wide  fame.  Indeed,  a 
proposition  had  been  under  consideration  in  America 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  713 

looking  toward  the  formation  of  a  syndicate  for  the 
purchase  and  importation  to  this  .country  of  the 
entire  herd.  These  negotiations,  however,  were  not 
carried  to  a  successful  issue,  and  when  the  an- 
nouncement was  made  that  the  stock  was  to  be 
shipped  to  Buenos  Ayres  expressions  of  keen  regret 
were  heard  throughout  all  Britain  and  North 
America.  It  is  an  old  saying  that  "it  is  an  ill  wind 
that  blows  nobody  good."  To  the  failure  of  the 
great  international  banking  house  of  Baring  Bros., 
which  occurred  in  England  soon  after  Messrs.  Nel- 
son had  accomplished  the  purchase  of  the  stock. 
Short-horn  breeders  of  Britain,  Canada  and  the 
States  are  indebted  for  the  retention  in  the  mother- 
land of  the  bulk  of  the  Sittyton  cattle.  Grave  finan- 
cial complications  in  the  Argentine  rendered  it  in- 
expedient to  carry  out  the  original  project  of  ship- 
ping the  entire  herd  to  the  Southern  Eepublic. 

Mr.  Robert  Bruce,  then  of  Darlington  and  now  an 
official  of  the  Royal  Irish  iVgricultural  Society — one 
of  the  best-informed  men  of  his  time  in  all  Britain 
and  a  popular  judge  at  leading  shows — had  repre- 
sented the  Messrs.  Nelson  in  this  important  trans- 
action and  decided,  in  view  of  the  failure  of  the 
original  plan  for  exportation,  that  the  herd  had  best 
be  held  at  the  home  farm  pending  some  satisfactory 
disposition  of  the  stock.  This  arrangement  was  car- 
ried into  effect  and  the  cattle  were  kept  at  Sittyton 
until  May,  1890.  Mr.  Bruce  has  given  us  an  inter- 
esting account  of  the  extreme  reluctance  with  which 


714  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Mr.  Cruickshank  finally  parted  with  his  pets.     We 
quote: 

Can  anyone  realize  what  the  selling  of  his  entire  herd  of 
Short-horns  would  mean  to  such  a  man;  a  herd  which  had  been 
the  work  of  a  lifetime  to  build  up?  While  the  transaction  was 
being  carried  through  I  felt  sincere  sympathy  for  him,  as  I 
could  see  how  the  thought  of  parting  with  his  cattle  affected 
his  strong  mind.  The  resolution  to  sell  was  arrived  at  owing 
to  his  failing  health  and  the  fact  that  the  lease  of  his  farm  had 
expired;  and  when  the  proposition  of  a  private  purchase  of  the 
entire  lot  was  made  he  liked  the  idea,  seeing  it  would  save  him 
all  the  worry  and  trouble  attending  a  public  sale.  In  a  letter  to 
me,  dated  May  5,  1889,  he  wrote:  "In  reply  to  your  letter  re- 
garding the  Short-horn  cattle,  my  lease  of  the  farm  expires  next 
year.  I  am  in  my  eighty-second  year  and  from  a  serious  illness 
which  I  had  last  year  I  am  not  now  able  to  give  the  cattle  that 
attention  which  I  had  used  to  do  and  which  is  essentially  neces- 
sary to  continue.  This  is  the  cause  of  their  being  offered  for 
sale." 

William  Duthie  of  Collynie  was  so  fortunate  as  to 
secure  a  majority  of  the  most  useful  cows — some 
thirty-five  head  in  number.  Mr.  J.  Deane  Willis  of 
Bapton  Manor,  Codford,  Wiltshire,  Eng.,  bought  all 
of  the  yearling  heifers  excepting  those  of  the  Violet 
tribe,  which,  consisting  of  but  five  females,  was  pur- 
chased, along  with  Grapevine's  bull  calf  Glengarry 
and  five  other  females,  by  Mr.  C.  W.  Tindall  for  Mr. 
Sutton  Nelthorpe  of  Scawby  Brigg,  Lincolnshire, 
Eng.  Mr.  J.  Wilson  of  Pirriesmill,  Huntley,  bought 
the  cow  Cordenella  and  her  bull  calf  Sovereign,  by 
Gondomar,  that  became  a  well-known  sire. 

The  stock  bulls  in  the  herd  at  the  time  of  its 
purchase  were  the  following:  Cumberland  (46144), 
Gondolier  (52956),  Commodore  (54118),  Gondomar 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE  CENTURY  715 

and  Collingwood.  Cumberland  was  old  and  very 
much  worn.  The  flesh  had  slipped  from  his  chine 
and  shoulders,  and  as  it  was  evident  that  little  if 
any  further  service  could  be  had  from  him  he  was 
sent  to  the  butcher.  Gondolier  was  a  red  by  Cum- 
berland out  of  Gilliver  by  Eoan  Gauntlet,  with  good 
ribs  and  a  strong  back,  but  lame  at  the  time  of  his 
purchase  in  both  shoulders.  He  was  sold  to  go  into 
Durham,  Eng.  Unfortunately  for  the  breed  the 
last  great  Sittyton  bull.  Commodore,  and  his  good 
stable  companion  Gondomar  were  shipped  to  South 
America.  Mr.  Bruce  tells  us  that  Mr.  Cruickshank 
called  Commodore  "the  best  animal  that  ever  left 
Sittyton."  He  was  sired  by  Baron  Violet  (47444) 
out  of  Custard  by  Eoyal  Duke  of  Gloster;  second 
dam  Princess  Royal  by  Champion  of  England.*  Mr. 
Bruce  says  that  viewed  from  the  side  Commodore 
was  simply  perfect — very  level  and  deep.  Seen 
from  behind,  however,  he  thought  him  a  bit  narrow. 
His  '^roasts'*  were  wide  on  top,  but  his  ribs  did  not 
present  as  perfect  an  arch  as  one  would  like.  Com- 
modore was  lost  at  sea.    Gondomar,  a  red  of  good 


*Before  taking  leave  of  this  line  of  breeding  we  may  add  the  follow- 
in,fr  description  of  this  epoch-making  sire,  furnished  the  author  by  Mr, 
John  ^V.  Cruickshank  :  "Champion  of  England  was  a  beautiful  calf, 
his  hair  actually  waved  in  the  v/ind,  and  until  his  death  in  1870  no 
other  sire  was  so  fully  trusted  ;  his  large,  deep  body  was  carried  on 
short  legs  :  his  quarters,  though  not  long,  were  broad  and  deep  ;  his 
frame  carried  an  unusually  thick  covering  of  natural  flesh,  and  so  full 
was  he  behind  the  shoulders  that  the  meat  actually  projected  beyond 
the  shoulder  blades.  No  bull  ever  had  such  an  influence  in  the  herd  : 
his  calves  could  easily  be  picked  out  and  the  use  of  his  sons,  grand- 
sons and  great-grandsons  impressed  the  Sittyton  herd  generally  with 
his  character.  Himself  descended  on  both  sides  from  tribes  of  good 
milking  qualities  his  daughters  were  useful  dairy  cattle  as  well  as 
heavy-fleshed  Short-horns.  His  death  was  the  result  of  calculus,  and 
when  killed  his  organs  were  as  sound  and  healthy  as  possible." 


716  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

style  and  character,  by  Feudal  Chief  (51251)  out 
of  Godiva  by  Cumberland;  second  dam  Gilliver  by 
Roan  Gauntlet,  was  extra  good  and  should  have 
been  retained  in  Scotland.  Collingwood  was  a  bull 
of  nice  quality,  but  somewhat  lacking  in  width. 

The  Cruickshank  cows  at  Collynie. — Mr.  Duthie 
originally  bought  the  eighteen  old  cows  that  the 
Nelsons  deemed  too  aged  for  export  under  agree- 
ment to  remove  them  from  Sittyton  on  the  1st  of 
June,  1889,  and  allow  their  calves  to  suck  them, 
these  calves  to  be  the  property  of  Messrs.  Nelson, 
delivered  in  the  following  October.  Calves  born 
after  the  1st  of  June  from  these  old  cows  to  be  the 
property  of  Mr.  Duthie.  Following  is  the  full  list 
of  cows  finally  obtained  from  Sittyton  for  Collynie: 
Of  the  Venus  tribe,  Juliet,  by  Barmpton  Prince, 
Gazelle,  by  Roan  Gauntlet  (both  reds),  and  the  roan 
Gipseywort,  by  Roan  Gauntlet.  Of  the  Secret  tribe, 
the  white  Sobriety  and  the  roan  Sunflower,  both  by 
Roan  Gauntlet;  the  red  Spirea  and  the  roan  Sar- 
casm, both  by  Cumberland,  and  the  red  Siren,  by 
Commodore.  Of  the  Pure  Gold  or  Brawith  Bud 
tribe,  the  roan  heifer  Gardenia,  by  Cumberland.  Of 
the  Victoria  tribe,  the  roan  Victoria  57th,  by  Barmp- 
ton Prince,  and  the  red  Victoria  58th  (dam  of  imp. 
Baron  Victor),  by  Pride  of  the  Isles.  Of  the  Duchess 
of  Gloster  family,  the  roan  21st  of  that  name,  by 
Barmpton  Prince;  the  roan  24th  Duchess,  by  Lord 
of  the  Isles,  and  the  red  30th  Duchess,  by  Chancellor. 
Of  the  Crocus  sort,  the  roan  Costume,  by  Bridesman, 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE  CENTURY  717 

the  red  Calypso,  by  Gondolier,  and  the  roan  Can- 
zonet, by  Standard  Bearer.  Of  the  Clipper  sort,  so 
famous  as  bull-breeders  at  Sittyton,  the  red  Crocus, 
by  Pride  of  the  Isles,  the  white  Chrysanthemum,  by 
Crusader,  the  red  Coraline,  by  Cumberland,  and  the 
red  Cluster  Eose,  by  Gondolier.  Of  the  Lavender 
family,  the  red  Lavender  15th,  a  sixteen-year-old 
cow  by  Lord  Warden,  the  roan  Lavender  16th,  by 
Lord  Lansdowne,  fifteen  years  old,  the  roan  Lav- 
ender 45th,  by  Baron  Violet,  the  roan  46th,  by  Dun- 
blane, the  roan  48th,  by  Cumberland,  and  the  red 
Lavender  50th,  by  Baron  Violet.  Of  the  Spicey  sort, 
the  roan  Seaweed,  by  Perfection,  the  roan  Sil- 
verlocks,  by  Koan  Gauntlet,  and  the  roan  Sea  Foam, 
by  Gondolier.  Of  the  Lovely  family,  the  fourteen- 
year-old  red  Lovely  20th,  by  Lord  Lancaster,  and  the 
ten-year-old  roan  Lovely  35th,  by  Eoan  Gauntlet. 
In  addition  to  these  he  took  the  red  fourteen-year- 
old  Abarilla,  by  Barmpton  Prince,  and  the  ten-year- 
old  red  Veronica,  by  Pride  of  the  Isles. 

Field  Marshal  and  Mario. — In  acquiring  the 
*' cream"  of  the  breeding  matrons  of  the  Cruick- 
shank  herd,  William  Duthie  virtually  succeeded  to 
the  throne  which  had  been  abdicated  by  the  sage  of 
Sittyton.  A  near  neighbor  and  good  friend  of  the 
grand  old  man,  Mr.  Duthie  had  already  had  in  ser- 
vice the  famous  roan  Field  Marshal  (47870),  by 
Roan  Gauntlet  out  of  Azalea  by  Caesar  Augustus. 
This  was  a  great  bull  in  every  sense  of  the  term  so 
far  as  conformation  was  concerned,  but  scarcely  per- 


718  A  HISTORY  OF  SHORT-HORN  CATTLE 

feet  in  his  handling  qualities.  He  was  a  massive 
2,500-lb.  bull  with  a  good  head,  wonderful  back,  ribs, 
loins  and  quarters,  but  rather  bare  below;  and  he 
and  his  stock  lacked  a  little  of  that  soft,  mellow 
covering  of  flesh  so  highly  prized  by  so  many  judges. 
In  Mr.  Duthie's  hands  he  sired  some  of  the  most 
celebrated  show  and  breeding  stock  ever  sent  out 
from  the  North  of  Scotland.  One  of  his  sons,  the 
famous  Mario  (51713),  was  the  greatest  show  bull 
of  his  day  in  Britain.  In  the  herd  of  Mr.  A.  M. 
Gordon  of  Newton,  Mario  carried  the  championship 
prizes  at  both  the  Royal  and  Highland  shows  of 
1888,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1889,  in  the 
hands  of  Mr.  C.  W.  Brierley,  he  was  on  a  triumphal 
tour  of  the  English  circuit.  Mario  inherited  Field 
Marshal's  substance  and  flesh,  but  like  his  sire  was 
somewhat  wanting  in  the  element  of  quantity.* 
Field  Marshal  was  let  for  a  period  of  three  years  to 
William  Tait,  manager  for  the  Queen  of  England 
at  Her  Majesty's  Shaw  farm  at  Windsor;  a  stroke 
of  policy  on  Mr.  Duthie's  part  which  proved  fruitful 

♦Robert  Bruce  says :  "Mario  was  a  large  bvill.  Many  English 
judges  did  not  have  a  very  high  opinion  of  him,  and  there  is  no  doubt 
that  there  was  some  truth  in  what  they  said,  viz. :  'He  was  like  a  fat 
steer.'  I  went  to  buy  him  as  a  three-year-old  having  him  in  price,  and 
was  asked  by  Mr.  Gordon  to  put  the  question  of  purchase  aside  and 
tell  him  if  I  considered  the  bull  good  enough  to  win  in  England.  If  I 
thought  so  he  would  much  like  to  show  him.  I  said  I  considered  him 
good  enough,  and  chalked  out  a  course  of  shows  he  should  be  entered 
for.  He  made  his  first  appearance  at  Peterboro,  where  he  was  passed 
over  without  a  prize,  but  he  was  so  different  from  the  others  that 
general  attention  was  called  to  the  awards.  After  Peterboro  he  won 
straight  through  for  two  years  and  did  much  to  attract  attention  in 
England  to  Scotch  Short-horns. 

"Mario,  New  Year's  Gift,  Challenge  Cup,  Major  and  Count  Laven- 
der stood  out  so  clearly  as  winners  that  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  at 
almost  all  the  principal  English  shows  they  were  judged  by  breeders 
who  had  little  liking  for  Sittyton  blood  they  could  not  be  set  aside." 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE  CENTURY  719 

of  results  to  the  Scotch  Short-horn  interest  in  Eng- 
land. The  mere  fact  that  Eoyalty  had  taken  up 
with  an  Aberdeenshire-bred  sire  of  itself  paved  the 
way  for  the  breaking  down  of  that  general  preju- 
dice which  had  up  to  this  time  existed  in  England 
against  the  North  country  type.  Shortly  after  the 
return  of  Field  Marshal  to  Collynie,  in  the  fall  of 
1889,  the  great  bull  accidentally  slipped  and  injured 
himself  in  such  manner  as  destroyed  his  further 
usefulness. 

Scottish  Archer  and  Count  Lavender. — It  was  in 
the  spring  of  1890  that  Deane  Willis  made  his  mem- 
orable purchase  of  thirty-three  yearling  Sittyton- 
bred  heifers  and  the  two  bulls  Scottish  Archer 
(59893)  and  Captain  of  the  Guard.  This  removed 
to  the  South  of  England  a  good  percentage  of  the 
Cruick  shank  females  and  Bap  ton  Manor  and  Colly- 
nie became  the  headquarters  for  the  Sittyton  sorts. 
Mr.  Willis  worked  in  conjunction  with  Mr.  Duthie 
in  the  matter  of  sires,  and  both  have  met  with  much 
success  in  supplying  show-yard  winners  and  breed- 
ing animals  for  leading  British  and  American  herds. 
Scottish  Archer  was  a  roan  by  Cumberland  out  of 
the  Secret  cow  Surname  by  Pride  of  the  Isles,  and 
ultimately  became  the  property  of  Mr.  Duthie,  prov- 
ing, as  shown  by  the  late  Collynie  sales,  the  most 
popular  of  all  the  latter-day  Scottish  sires. 

A  bull  that  did  the  Willis  herd  excellent  service 
and  extended  still  further  the  fame  of  the  Scotch 
type  in  British  show-yards  was  the  roan  Count  Lav- 


720  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

ender  (60545).  Soon  after  Mr.  Willis  acquired  the 
Sittyton  heifers  the  question  of  a  suitable  bull  for 
them  came  up,  and  the  matter  was  discussed  with 
Mr.  Cruickshank  himself.  In  reference  to  this  Mr. 
Eobert  Bruce  says:  ''Of  course  he  knew  well  the 
Lavender  blood  and  also  that  of  the  sire  Norseman 
(56233).  Together  we  went  carefully  into  the  pedi- 
gree of  the  grandsire,  Earl  of  March  (33807),*  and 
I  was  rather  surprised  to  find  that  Mr.  Cruickshank 
could  remember  the  bull  and  speak  of  his  many 
strong  points  as  well  as  a  slight  dip  in  the  middle  of 
his  back.  After  considering  the  subject  in  his  usual 
careful  way  he  said:  'Mr.  Willis  may  use  Count 
Lavender  on  my  heifers  with  every  confidence. '  The 
result  at  Bapton  has  most  completely  borne  out  the 
old  man's  opinion.'*  As  seen  by  the  writer  at  the 
Warwick  Royal  of  1892,  Count  Lavender  was  a  bull 
of  superior  finish  and  qualitj^,  evenly  covered  with 
mellow  flesh  and  standing  near  to  the  ground.  Wo 
thought  he  lacked  somewhat,  however,  in  real  sub- 
stance. Another  good  bull  used  in  the  Willis  herd 
was  Roan  Robin  (57992),  obtained  from  Mr.  Duthie 
in  exchange,  we  believe,  for  Scottish  Archer.  He 
was  sired  by  Cumberland  out  of  Glowworm  by  Roan 
Gauntlet. 

Mr.  Willis  has  enjoyed  an  extensive  patronage, 
and  a  yearling  bull  of  his  breeding,  Bapton  Em- 
peror, bought  after  winning  at  the  Royal  by  Mr. 

*Earl  of  March  was  a  roan,  bred  bv  Bruce  of  Burnside,  from  Fred- 
erick Fitz  Windsor  (31196)  out  of  Fanny  (the  dam  of  Potts'  imp.  Duke 
of  Richmond)    by  Royal  Errant. 


RESIDENCE   OF  J.   DEANB   WILLIS   OP  BAPTON   MANOR. 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  721 

Marr,  was  recently  resold  for  export  to  South  Amer- 
ica for  £800. 

Argentine  and  the  shambles. — The  project  of  ship- 
ping to  South  America  was  not  entirely  abandoned. 
In  addition  to  the  stock  bulls  Commodore  and  Gon- 
domar  there  were  sent  out  to  Argentine  in  the  early 
autumn  of  1889  the  following  cows:  Juniper,  Gil- 
liver  (dam  of  Gondolier  and  Master  of  the  Realm), 
Golden  Autumn  (dam  of  Craven  Knight),  Glow- 
worm Godiva(dam  of  Gondomar),  Genista,  Golden 
Pippin,  Godetia,  Grapevine,  Gladys,  Victorias  74th, 
77th  and  78th,  Candytuft,  Corncockle,  Cardamine, 
Crow^foot,  Coltsfoot,  Ceres,  Christobel,  Cynthia, 
Christmas  Carol,  Cordelia,  Canterbury  Bell,  Orange 
Blossom  30th,  Barmpton  Lily,  Lady  of  the  Forest 
and  Nonpareil  20th.  This  included  quite  a  group 
of  Brawith  Buds  and  Clippers, 

The  following  were  sent  to  the  butcher :  Gayflow- 
er,  Sunflower,  Catherine,  Cyclamen,  Constance,  the 
famous  Custard,  then  in  her  fourteenth  year;  Capsi- 
cum, Cloud  Wreath,  Cinnamon,  Lavenders  37th  and 
49th  and  Sea  Pink. 

Summary  of  Sittyton  sales. — During  a  period  of 
thirty-five  years,  extending  from  1842  to  1876,  in- 
clusive, there  were  sold  for  breeding  purposes  from 
Sittyton  1,030  bulls  at  an  average  of  £36  12s.  9d.  and 
321  cows  and  heifers  at  an  average  of  £32  14s.  9d. — 
a  total  of  1,351  animals  for  £48,247,  an  average  of 
£35  14s.  From  1877  to  1889  practically  the  entire 
surplus  of  young  bulls  was  sold  to  the  United  States 


722  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

and  Canada  after  the  wants  of  a  few  regular  cus- 
tomers had  been  supplied.  The  surplus  heifers  were 
mostly  exported  during  these  same  seasons.  A  close 
estimate  of  total  sales  made  from  the  herd  for  breed- 
ing purposes  for  the  forty-seven  years  ended  in  1889 
includes  1,912  animals  for  which  there  was  received 
something  over  £68,000.* 

Moberley  and  Young  Abbottsburn. — In  Septem- 
ber, 1890,  Col.  Thomas  S.  Moberley  of  Forest  Grove 
Farm,  Richmond,  Ky.,  began  a  series  of  show-yard 
campaigns,  made  memorable  by  the  exhibition  of 
the  massive  Cruickshank  bull  Young  Abbottsburn 
110679.  Col.  Moberley  had  for  some  years  been 
prominent  as  a  breeder  and  fitter  of  Bates  and 
Bates-crossed  stock,  and  this  great  coup  of  1890  came 
as  a  complete  surprise  to  the  Short-horn  breeding 
interests  of  the  States.  Imp.  Cupbearer,  at  that 
time  owned  by  Williams  &  Householder,  Columbus, 


*The  author  had  the  pleasure  of  visiting  Amos  Cruickshank  at  his 
home  at  Sittyton  in  June,  1892,  in  company  with  Mr.  Duthie  and  Col. 
W.  A.  Harris.  Although  then  an  octogenarian  Mr.  Cruickshank's  mind 
was  still  unclouded  and  he  readily  answered  all  questions  put  to  him 
concerning  his  life  work.  He  was  often  asked  not  only  directly  but 
in  a  roundabout  way  which  of  his  families  he  looked  upon  with  most 
favor,  but  no  one  could  ever  get  him  to  make  any  definite  statement 
on  the  subject.  He  pointed  out  that  many  of  them  were,  through  the 
sires  he  had  largely  used,  closely  allied,  and  one  could  gather  from 
his  talk  that  in  his  selection  of  stock  bvills  he  was  influenced  much  by 
the  qualifications  of  the  dam  and  grandams,  his  judgment  of  their 
merits  being  based  upon  a  high  standard  of  excellence  in  the  matters 
of  constitution,  quality,  milk  and  flesh.  He  was  using  at  the  time  the 
herd  was  sold  two  bulls  of  the  Clipper  and  two  of  the  Pure  Gold  fami- 
lies, while  he  had  retained  for  service  a  yearling  bull  of  the  Premium 
or  Crocus  sort.     His  death  occiu-red  at  Sittyton  May,  1895. 

Mr.  Bruce  relates  the  following  incident  which  occurred  during  the 
closing  years  of  the  old  man's  life,  illustrating  the  esteem  in  which 
he  was  held  in  the  highest  circles  : 

"On  one  of  the  days  of  the  Highland  Show  at  Aberdeen  in  July, 
1894,  a  homely  little  ceremony  took  place  which  excited  more  than  or- 
dinary interest.  From  the  Royal  box  in  the  grand  stand  his  Royal 
Highness  the  Duke  of  York,  President  of  the  Society  for  the  year, 
was  witnessing  the  parade  of  the  live  stock.  Some  one  mentioned  to 
his  Royal  Highness  that  not  far  away  on  the  stand  a  seat  was  occu- 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE  CENTURY  723 

Kan.,  was  the  reigning  king  of  Western  show-yards. 
Moberley  determined  that  if  there  was  a  bull  in 
North  America  capable  of  coping  with  Cupbearer 
he  would  find  him  and  place  him  at  the  head  of  his 
Forest  Grove  show  stock.  Like  all  others  who  at 
that  period  sought  show  bulls  of  the  heaviest  cali- 
ber, he  found  himself  compelled  to  turn  to  the  Aber- 
deenshire type.  Visiting  Canada  he  found  the  object 
of  his  quest — a  five-year-old  roan,  bred  and  owned 
by  Messrs.  Watt. 

We  have  already  related  that  in  1874  the  late 
Joseph  Thomson  of  Whitby,  Ontario,  imported  the 
roan  Cruick shank  heifer  Village  Bud,  by  Scotland's 
Pride.  She  was  the  best  female  in  the  Thomson 
sale  and  was  bought  by  Messrs.  Watt  of  Salem,  On- 
tario, for  $925.  She  was  in  calf  at  the  time  to  the 
roan  bull  Ben  Wyvis  (30528),  bred  at  Sittyton  from 
Caesar  Augustus  and  Butterfly's  Joy  of  the  Towne- 

pied  by  that  prince  of  cattle-breeders,  Amos  Cruickshank,  Sittyton. 
At  once  his  Royal  Highness  desired  that  Mr.  Cruickshank  be  sum- 
moned to  the  Royal  box.  The  octogenarian  farmer  and  breeder,  pre- 
senting a  characteristic  figure  with  his  quiet  attire,  long  white  locks, 
and  strong  modest  fact,  obeyed  the  Royal  command,  and  was  received 
most  cordially  by  his  Royal  Highness.  This  incident,  simple  and  in- 
teresting in  itself,  gave  unbounded  pleasvire  to  the  crowd  of  onlookers, 
who  applauded  warmly  as  the  venerable  breeder  was  seen  to  make  his 
way  back  from  the  presence  of  Royalty.  It  was  a  singularly  happy 
occurrence  that  meeting  of  the  youthful  Prince  and  the  patriarchal 
farmer — one  of  many  similarily  happy  incidents  which  illumine  and 
distinguish  the  movements  of  the  Royal  family,  demonstrating  their 
ever  anxous  desire  to  recognize  and  duly  honor  noble  achievements 
in  whatever  walk  of  life  it  may  be  observed. 

"Amos  Cruickshank  was  then  in  his  eighty-sixth  year.  Although 
bowed  down  with  the  weight  of  years,  he  was  not  unnaturally  anxious 
again  to  witness  the  Highland  Show — anxious  in  particular  that  he 
might  see  the  Royal  Duke  who  had  honored  Scotch  agriculturists  by 
becoming  the  President  of  their  National  Agricultural  Society  and  ar- 
ranging to  visit  its  show  in  the  Granite  City.  Happily  Mr.  Cruick- 
shank's  desire  was  fulfilled,  and  by  the  incident  just  mentioned  an 
honor  was  added  which  he  had  not  dreamt  of,  but  which  deeply 
gratified  him.  Talking  over  the  honor  done  hirn,  he  said  to  me :  *I 
feel  gratified,  deeply  gratified,  but  had  I  known  what  was  before  me 
I  could  never  have  left  Sittyton.'  " 


724  A   HISTORY    OF    SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

ley  line.  The  resulting  calf  was  the  dark-roan  heifer 
Village  Blossom,  that  grew  into  an  exceptionally 
thick,  short-legged,  heavy  cow  that  won  first  prizes 
in  her  class  at  the  leading  Canadian  shows,  besides 
being  a  member  of  a  herd  that  won  first  place  wher- 
ever exhibited.  This  prize  cow  was  bred  to  Ab- 
bottsbnrn  106090,  a  roan,  imported  in  1883  by  James 
I.  Davidson,  sired  by  Eoan  Gauntlet  out  of  Ama- 
ranth by  Barmpton.  To  this  service  Village  Blos- 
som produced  March  2,  1885,  the  roan  bull  calf 
Young  Abbottsburn,  which  at  seven  months  old  was 
sold  to  Mr.  Alex.  Xorrie  of  Paisley,  Ontario,*  in 
whose  possession  he  remained  for  four  years.  He 
was  shown  locally  as  a  yearling  and  two-year-old; 
but  during  all  the  years  that  the  bull  was  in  Norrie  's 
possession  the  Messrs.  Watt  had  not  seen  him,  al- 
though some  extraordinary  statements  as  to  his 
character  reached  their  ear.  At  Norrie 's  sale  in 
1889  Mr.  Watt  bought  him  back,  ''because,''  he  says, 
"on  seeing  Young  Abbottsburn  I  had  to  admit  that 
the  half  had  not  been  told  concerning  him."  He 
resembled  his  sire,  Abbottsburn,  in  a  general  way, 
but  was  heavier.  Mr.  Watt  states  that  as  a  calf 
Young  Abbottsburn  was  not  very  well  cared  for. 
He  had  run  with  his  mother  all  through  the  summer 
month,  and  up  to  the  time  he  was  sold  had  received 
no  grain  and  was  not  regarded  as  an  extraordinary 
calf.    Norrie  bought  him  at  $200,  and  to  him  credit 


*Mr.  Norrie  is  at  present  herd  manager  for  Messrs.  Dustin,  Sum- 
mer Hill,  111.,  and  selected  for  them  in  Scotland  in  1898  the  prize  bull 
Merry  Hampton,  possessing  something  of  the  same  thickness  and  feed- 
ing quality  of  the  grand  old  bull  which  he  developed  in  Canada. 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY'  < -O 

must  be  given  for  developing  probably  the  greatest 
carcass  ever  seen  in  the  show-yards  of  North  Amer- 
ica. He  was  used  as  a  stock  bull  by  Mr.  Norrie,  and 
served  other  cows  in  the  neighborhood,  siring  some 
useful  cattle,  which,  as  a  rule,  bred  better  than  them- 
selves. At  the  time  the  bull  was  bought  back  from 
Mr.  Norrie  he  weighed  nearly  2,600  lbs.  He  had 
been  kept  in  a  box-stall  with  free  access  to  a  yard 
of  moderate  size  where  he  could  take  exercise  at 
will;  the  door  of  his  box  being  seldom  closed  in 
summer  or  winter.  His  principal  feed  had  been 
roots  and  hay  with  the  addition  of  a  little  grain,  but 
he  was  a  remarkably  easy  feeder  and  a  perfect  pic- 
ture of  contentment  always. 

Moberley  was  a  shrewd  enough  judge  of  good 
Short-horns  to  realize  that  he  had  discovered  in  this 
bull  a  most  extraordinary  animal,  and  closed  a  trade 
for  his  transfer  to  the  States.  It  was  at  the  Detroit 
Exposition,  held  the  first  w^eek  in  September,  1890, 
that  Young  Abbottsburn  made  his  debut  on  this 
side  of  the  line.  He  did  not  arrive  in  time  to  com- 
pete in  the  bull  class,*  but  Colonel  Moberley  was 
allowed  to  place  him  at  the  head  of  his  cattle  in  the 


*Messrs.  Sanger  of  Wisconsin  were  first  in  aged  bulls  at  this  Ex- 
position with  Prince  Victoria  of  Hickory  Park  94481,  a  thick-fieshed 
bull  of  great  substance,  sired  by  Earl  of  Richmond  out  of  Victoria 
55th  by  Royal  Duke  of  Pleasant  Ridge  36889  ;  thus  blending  the 
blood  of  imp.  Duke  of  Richmond  with  that  of  the  Milne  and  Lowman 
&  Smith  Victorias  already  mentioned  as  being  among  the  best  Scotch 
cattle  ever  seen  in  America.  The  Sanger  bull  sired  among  other  good 
things  H.  F.  Brown's  champion  show  bull  Victor  of  Browndale  117621, 
out  of  the  grand  heifer  Victoria  of  Glenwood  8th,  which  in  the  hands 
of  Messrs.  Sanger  and  Brown  was  for  several  seasons  the  "crack" 
female  of  the  breed  in  the  West.  She  was  a  wonderfully  thick,  neat, 
low-legged  red,  familiarly  known  as  "the  white-legged  heifer,"  in  allu- 
sion to  her  color  markings. 


726  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOEX   CATTLE 

herd  competition.  Notwithstanding  the  novelty  of 
a  '^braw'^  Scotch  rent-payer  leading  the  high-bred 
daughters  of  noble  Dukes,  there  was  no  escape  from 
the  decision  which  sent  first  prize  to  the  Forest 
Grove  lot  as  thus  lined  up.  At  this  show  Moberley 
was  either  unable  or  unwilling  to  give  out  informa- 
tion as  to  the  bull's  name  or  breeding,  claiming  to 
have  left  the  pedigree  at  home.  He  was  thereupon 
dubbed  by  the  ring-side  talent  ''the  great  un- 
known, ' '  which  sobriquet  clung  to  him  long  after  his 
identity  was  revealed.  The  news  of  his  appearance 
and  of  his  overpowering  flesh  and  substance  trav- 
eled far  and  fast.  Cupbearer  at  the  Ohio  State  Fair 
was  renewing  his  triumphs  of  previous  years,  and 
before  the  first  meeting  of  the  two  North  Country 
champions  occurred  at  the  Illinois  State  Fair  at 
Peoria  interest  in  the  impending  duel  became  in- 
tense. Probably  no  event  in  American  show-yard 
history  aroused  more  intense  excitement  than  at- 
tended this  memorable  meeting.*    The  following  re- 

*The  judges  upon  this  occasion  were  Messrs.  Thomas  Clark, 
Beecher,  111.,  one  of  America's  best  breeders  and  most  successful  ex- 
hibitors of  Herefords  ;  and  Robert  B.  Ogilvie,  late  of  Madison,  Wis. 
Mr.  Ogilvie,  while  devoted  to  mercantile  pursviits,  has  been  a  life-long 
admirer  of  the  improved  breeds  of  live-stock,  and  for  a  quarter  of  a 
century  has  enjoyed  the  acquaintance  of  practically  all  of  the  lead- 
ing breeders  and  exhibitors  of  the  United  States  and  Canada.  He 
acquired  international  reputation  as  a  breeder  of  Clydesdales  at  Blair- 
gowrie Farm  ;  his  exhibits  of  draft  horses  of  that  type,  with  the  fa- 
mous McQueen  at  the  head,  constituting  one  of  the  chief  attractions 
of  the  Cyldesdale  shows  of  their  time.  Fond  of  a  good  Short-horn,  a 
recognized  judge  of  sheep  and  a  close  student  of  everything  pertain- 
ing to  stock-breeding  interests,  Mr.  Ogilvie  possessed  a  wide  and 
varied  range  of  information  bearing  upon  all  the  leading  types  of  do- 
mestic animals. 

Cupbearer  in  his  old  age  became  the  property  of  Milton  E.  Jones 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  727 

view  of  this  rencontre  from  notes  made  by  the  author 
at  the  time  was  published  in  the  Breeder's  Gazette 
for  Oct.  8,  1890: 

"I  have  read  so  much  about  Cupbearer  in  The  Gazette  for 
the  past  two  or  three  years,  and  was  so  interested  in  your  ac- 
count of  Col.  Moberley's  new  bull,  that  I  thought  I  would  come 
to  Peoria  and  see  the  fun."  Such  was  the  explanation  of  their 
unaccustomed  presence  at  an  Illinois  State  Fair  made  to  the 
writer  by  something  less  than  a  thousand  cattle-growers  from 
different  States  who  have  not  been  in  the  habit  of  attending  the 
big  shows.  The  leading  professional  breeders  were  there  as  a 
matter  of  course.  Indeed  everybody  and  his  neighbor  seemed 
to  be  present  when  the  ring  for  aged  bulls  was  called,  and  those 
who  could  not  arrive  in  time  telegraphed  freely  their  regrets. 
The  excitement  was  at  fever  heat.  It  was  indeed  to  be  a  "bat- 
tle royal,"  and  it  can  be  truthfully  asserted  that  the  enthusiasm 
engendered  by  this  meeting  of  the  two  greatest  show  bulls  of 
recent  years  in  the  West  has  kindled  an  interest  in  the  breed- 
ing and  exhibition  of  good  Short-horns,  and  spurred  the  flagging 
energies  of  prominent  showmen  in  a  manner  unknown  since  the 
days  of  Col.  King's  triumphal  tour,  which  culminated  so  many 
years  ago  under  that  famous  canvas  at  St.  Louis. 

Cupbearer — son  of  the  great  Rob  Roy,  sire  of  the  rising  Eng- 
lish champion  Challenge  Cup,  and  victor  in  half  a  hundred  fields 
— was  first  in  position.  "He  can't  be  beaten"  was  the  emphatic 
pronouncement  as  the  superbly-poised  and  admirably-finished 
form  of  Mr.  Householder's  famous  bull  was  fairly  settled  to  re- 
ceive the  shock  of  show-yard  assault;  and  while  the  crowd 
feasted  their  eyes  upon  his  noble  outline  Messrs.  Henn  and  Wil- 
hoit  entered  the  lists  with  Phenomenon  and  Goldstick — both  reds, 
both  wearers  of  championship  honors,  both  in  good  form,  but 
both  unequal  to  the  task  of  closing  with  such  "sluggers"  as  con- 


several  years  since.  It  cannot  be  said  that  he  ever  had  a  thorough 
test  as  a  breeding-  bull,  as  he  was  passed  around  from  one  herd  to 
another  and  kept  in  show  condition  for  so  many  years  that  he  never 
had  full  opportunity  of  demonstrating  what  he  miglit  be  worth  for 
stock  purposes.  In  the  hands  of  WiUiam  Miller  at  Storm  Lake,  he 
got  one  of  the  best  Scotch  cows  ever  owned  in  the  West — tlie  beautiful 
roan  Gwendoline  2d,  sold  to  Col.  Moberley  and  afterward  bought  by 
Messrs.   Mitchel. 


728  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

fronted  them  upon  this  occasion.  *'One  story's  good  till  another's 
told."  One  favorite  receives  our  plaudits  till  another  comes  upon 
the  scene.  Cupbearer's  triumph  was  complete  till  Young  Ab- 
bottsburn  was  drawn  into  the  yard.  From  the  moment  the 
mighty  roan  entered  the  ring  the  champion  of  1888  and  1889  was 
on  the  defensive.  The  hero  of  Detroit,  Columbus  and  Indianapo- 
liS;  with  his  world  of  flesh  and  substance,  seemed  to  fill  the  en- 
tire arena.  By  comparison  Phenomenon  (heavy  as  he  is) 
seemed  to  shrink  into  a  pigmy;  Goldstick's  "bit  fault"  (stand- 
ing a  trifle  away  from  the  ground)  grew  into  something  which 
it  is  not,  and  Cupbearer  himself  began  to  lose  perceptibly  in 
breadth  of  beam.  An  attack  is  apt  to  be  more  confidently  un- 
dertaken than  a  defense.  Bloberley  had  given  instructions  to 
his  herdsmen  to  await  the  entrance  of  the  king  and  challenge 
him  on  whatever  ground  he  might  select,  and  the  nearer  this 
spot  was  reached  the  more  apparent  became  the  fact  that  a  new 
idol  was  about  to  be  set  up.  True  the  showy  Duthie  bull  had 
defenders  to  the  last,  but  when  the  crown  was  finally  sent  to 
his  thicker,  meatier  adversary,  the  triumph  of  Amos  Cruick- 
shank's  real  old  work-a-day  type  was  quite  complete.  One  by- 
stander gave  exaggerated  expression  to  a  feeling  that  possessed 
a  majority  of  the  breeders  present  by  saying:  "Cupbearer  is  the 
dude.  Young  Abbottsburn  the  solid  farmer" — one  way  of  saying 
that  the  latter  is  of  a  more  eminently  useful  feeder's  type.  Cup- 
bearer has  been  an  almost  certain  winner  by  reason  of  his 
matchless  smoothness,  marvelously-spread  loin,  level  quarters, 
refined  conformation  and  gay  carriage.  Young  Abbottsburn 
crushes  all  before  him  by  an  incomparable  wealth  of  fiesh,  in 
addition  to  which  his  head  is  more  truly  masculine,  his  crops 
are  better  covered  and  his  lower  lines  are  fuller  than  those  of 
his  chief  antagonist.  He  is  a  2,800-lb.  bull,  standing  (at  the 
brisket)  but  fourteen  inches  from  the  ground,  with  a  rich  roan 
coat  and  a  good  mellow  hide,  full  of  that  golden  coloring  matter 
that  indicates  the  easy  keeper  and  great  "doer."  He  is  low, 
wide,  compact  and  smoothly  laden  with  flesh  of  good  quality 
from  horns  to  hocks.  He  has  a  good,  broad  head  and  horns  of 
the  right  sort,  a  mild,  placid  eye,  and  one  of  those  quiet,  even 
temperaments  that  tell  of  a  disposition  favorable  to  the  putting 
^n  of  meat.     There  is  some  little  show  of  unevenness  over  the 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  729 

blades,  but  not  so  much  of  a  roll  as  Cupbearer  sports.  He  does 
not  finish  out  behind  the  hooks  quite  so  perfectly  as  the  other, 
but  is  yet  a  grand-quartered  bull  and  thicker  in  his  rounds. 

"The  king  is  dead;  long  live  the  king." 

Young  Abbottsburn  cost  in  Canada  $425!  AVliat- 
ever  of  lingering  doubt  in  relation  to  the  feeding 
and  flesh-carrying  capacity  of  the  Cruickshank  cat- 
tle may  have  existed  prior  to  this  date  was  dispelled 
once  for  all  by  the  exhibition  of  this  wonderful  bull 
at  the  American  shows  from  1890  to  1893.  From  the 
day  of  his  first  appearance  at  Detroit  until  crowned 
with  the  championship  of  the  World's  Columbian 
Exposition  there  were  none  to  challenge  his  com- 
plete supremacy.  Open  to  criticism,  perhaps,  upon 
the  score  of  some  lack  of  character,  Young  Abbotts- 
burn  was  such  a  feed-lot  model  that  he  fairly  carried 
the  corn-belt  by  storm.  He  was  universally  recog- 
nized by  practical  men  as  the  sort  of  a  beast  that 
would  convert  grain  and  grass  into  prime  heavy 
beef  on  short  notice.  Notwithstanding  the  efforts 
of  his  owner  and  his  new  trainer  (Mr.  Forbes),  he 
did  not  stop  putting  on  pounds  avoirdupois  until 
his  log-like  carcass  pulled  down  the  scales  at  over 
2,800  lbs.  Such  weight  without  height  has  probably 
never  been  seen  in  any  other  animal  of  any  breed  on 
this  continent.  It  was  scarcely  to  be  expected  that 
such  a  ponderous,  short-legged  show  bull  would 
prove  particularly  active  or  useful  as  a  stock-getter, 
and  unfortunately  his  legacy  to  the  breed,  aside 
from  his  show-yard  triumphs,  was  not  large. 

Mary  Abbottsburn  7th. — Basking  in  the  sunshine 


730  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

of  the  popularity  of  Young  Abbottsburn,  Col.  Mober- 
ley's  views  of  breeding  rapidly  expanded.  He  no 
longer  subscribed  to  the  doctrine  that  all  excellence 
within  the  breed  was  necessarily  circumscribed  by 
the  comparatively  narrow  circle  that  had  Kirklev- 
ington  for  its  center.  In  response  to  a  query  pro- 
pounded just  after  his  purchase  of  the  great  Scotch 
bull  as  to  Avhat  he  proposed  to  do  with  a  beast  ot 
that  breeding,  he  replied:  "Use  him  a  little  and 
show  him  ^ right  smart.'  "  He  did  more  than  this. 
He  used  him  ^' right  smart"  besides  crushing  all 
competition  at  the  shows.  The  percentage  of  cows 
got  in  calf  was,  however,  not  large,  so  that  the  bull's 
progeny  at  Forest  Grove  were  not  so  numerous  as 
Col.  Moberley  would  have  wished.  Had  the  bull 
never  sired  anything  else,  however,  than  Mary  Ab- 
bottsburn 7th  his  fame  would  have  been  secure  for 
all  time.  We  have  already  noted  the  great  success 
attending  the  use  of  Scotch  bulls  upon  cows  of  the 
Young  Mary  tribe  in  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Potts, 
Wilhoit  and  Harris;  a  success  which  was  repeated 
by  many  of  their  contemporaries.  It  remained  for 
Col.  Moberley  and  Young  Abbottsburn,  however,  to 
cap  the  climax,  so  far  as  this  particular  cross  is  con- 
cerned, by  giving  to  the  breed  the  champion  show 
cow  just  mentioned.  Her  dam  was  the  red  Forest 
Belle  6th,  bred  by  Col.  Moberley  from  the  Renick 
Rose  of  Sharon  bull  Minnie's  Duke  of  Sj^camore 
57120  out  of  Sparsewood  Mary  3d,  bred  by  Tracy 
Bros.,  Winchester,  Ky.,  from  Cambridge  Rose  Duke 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  731 

2d  22295  (also  of  Mr.  Eenick's  favorite  tribe)  and 
sired  by  the  4tli  Duke  of  Geneva.  She  fed  kindly 
from  the  start,  and,  as  a  buxom  heifer  of  rare  prom- 
ise, was  bought  by  Aaron  Barber,  York  State's  en- 
thusiastic admirer  of  good  Short-horns,  at  the  round 
price,  for  those  times,  of  $1,000 — after  winning  the 
yearling  heifer  championship  over  all  breeds  at  the 
Illinois  State  Fair  of  1894.  She  matured  into  one 
of  the  noblest  cows  of  any  breed  known  to  the  Amer- 
ican cattle  trade.  She  had  a  back  like  a  billiard 
table  and  her  wide,  deep  ribs  and  long,  level  quar- 
ters were  wrapped  in  a  wealth  of  flesh  that  con- 
stantly recalled  the  carcass  of  her  illustrious  sire. 
From  1894  to  1898,  inclusive,  Mary  Abbottsburn  7th, 
in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Barber,  was  the  unrivaled  queen 
of  American  Short-horn  cows.* 

Col.  Moberley  fortified  his  show  herd  further  by 
purchasing  from  Arthur  Johnston  of  Canada  the 
roan  Nonpareil  Chief  113034,  sired  by  imp.  Indian 
Chief  out  of  the  Kinellar-bred  imp.  Nonpareil  36th. 
Not  so  massive  as  Young  Abbottsburn  he  was  yet 
a  bull  of  strong  parts,  well  covered  with  flesh  of 
fine  quality  and  possessing  good  Short-horn  char- 
acter. At  the  Columbian  Exposition  Col.  Moberley 
had  the  honor  of  winning  first  and  third  in  the 
greatest  ring  of  aged  bulls  ever  seen  in  America 


*A  colored  lithograph  of  Mary  Abbottsburn  7th's  head  and  neck 
from  a  painting  by  Hills  was  the  leading  pictorial  feature  of  the 
Christmas  number  of  the  Breeder's  Gazette  for  1899.  "Queen  Mary," 
as  she  was  often  called,  became  during  that  year  the  property  of 
Mr.  W.  A.  Boland  of  New  York  city,  proprietor  of  a  stock  farm  at 
Grass  Lake,  Mich. 


732  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

with  Young  Abbottsburn  and  Nonpareil  Chief  re- 
spectively. 

Forest  Grove  sale. — During  the  summer  of  1895 
Col.  Moberley  was  accidentally  drowned  in  the  surf 
at  Virginia  Beach  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  an  occur- 
rence which  brought  sorrow  to  the  entire  Short-horn 
breeding  fraternity  and  took  from  the  ranks,  while 
still  in  his  prime,  one  of  the  most  enthusiastic 
friends  of  the  breed.  He  had  only  finished  collect- 
ing by  purchase  a  valuable  group  of  Scotch-bred 
cows  and  heifers,  including  Princess  Alice,  Gwendo- 
line 2d,  7th  Linwood  Golden  Drop,  imp.  Daisy  of 
North  Oaks,  Orange  Blossom  31st  and  imp.  Victoria 
79th,  and  was  preparing  to  engage  extensively  in 
intermingling  the  best  Bates  and  Cruickshank  blood. 
Mary  Abbottsburn  7th  furnished  the  inspiration, 
and  while  Col.  Moberley  did  not  live  to  carry  out  his 
w^ork  he  set  an  example  of  broad-minded  apprecia- 
tion of  merit  wherever  found  that  should  not  be 
without  its  lesson.  His  herd  was  sold  at  executor ^s 
sale  at  Eichmond  in  October,  1895,  while  the  coun- 
try was  still  prostrated  from  the  unparalleled  finan- 
cial panic  of  1893;  hence  the  prices  paid,  as  has  been 
the  case  in  so  many  similar  instances,  were  by  no 
means  commensurate  with  the  value  of  the  cattle. 
The  highest  figure  was  $500,  given  by  T.  R.  Westrope 
&  Son,  of  Harlan,  la.,  for  a  Young  Abbottsburn  bull 
called  The  Corker.  The  old  hero  himself,  nine  years 
old  and  with  little  prospect  of  further  usefulness, 
was  bought  by  Messrs.  Wallace  of  Bunceton,  Mo., 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  733 

at  $475.  The  handsome  Linwood  Golden  Drop  7th 
went  to  Westropes  at  $355.  Cupbearer's  daughter 
Gwendoline  2d,  one  of  the  best  Scotch  cows  of  that 
time  in  America,  topped  the  females  at  $400,  at 
which  price  she  went  to  Messrs.  Mitchel,  Danvers, 
111.,  who  also  took  the  aging  Princess  Alice  at  $300. 
The  old  Field  Marshal  cow's  roan  heifer  Alice  of 
Forest  Grove,  sired  at  Linwood  by  Galahad,  was 
allowed  to  go  to  Texas  at  $220.  Sixty-nine  head 
sold  for  the  shocking  average  of  but  $131.60,  a  fact 
which  furnished  ample  proof  of  the  wretched  state 
of  the  Short-horn  trade  at  that  time;  reflecting  the 
widespread  commercial  and  industrial  depression. 
It  is  needless  to  say  that  those  who  had  the  courage 
to  buy  profited  largely  by  their  investments  at  this 
sale.  There  is  a  moral  to  be  drawn  from  this  and 
similar  events  recorded  in  this  volume.  It  is  this: 
Cattle-breeding,  like  all  other  avocations,  has  its 
ups  and  downs,  its  bright  periods  of  prosperity  and 
its  dark  days  of  adversity;  but  those  who  are  so 
situated  that  they  can  take  advantage  of  nominal 
prices  whenever  they  prevail  never  fail  to  reap  a 
rich  reward,  and  usually  within  a  very  short  space 
of  time. 

Woodbum  dispersion.— In  1891  Mr.  A.  J.  Alexan- 
der, who  had  succeeded  to  the  ownership  and  man- 
agement of  his  brother's  magnificent  estate  at 
Woodburn,  deemed  it  advisable  to  conclude  the 
Short-horn  breeding  operations  that  had  been  for 
some  forty  years  carried  on  upon  the  farm  with 


734  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

such  signal  advantage  to  American  cattle-breeding 
interests.  The  Woodburn  management  had  been 
giving  rather  more  attention  to  horse-breeding  than 
to  Short-horns  for  some  time  preceding  the  closing- 
out  sale,  and  the  persistent  pursuit  of  a  policy  of 
line  breeding  within  the  Bates  tribe  had  not  resulted 
in  improving  the  individual  quality  of  the  cattle. 
The  faithful  and  efficient  herdsman,  Mr.  Richardson, 
nevertheless  succeeded  in  producing  some  beautiful 
specimens  of  the  breed.  Perhaps  the  best  of  all  the 
later  home-bred  Duchess  bulls  placed  in  service  was 
the  26th  Duke  of  Airdrie  34973,  a  roan  of  good  sub- 
stance and  fine  character.  During  the  years  imme- 
diately preceding  the  dispersion  sale  there  had  been 
used  the  imported  bulls  2d  Duke  of  Whittlebury 
62574  and  Oxford  Duke  of  Calthwaite  3d  (56261), 
the  latter  a  roan  of  good  flesh  and  substance  that 
left  some  excellent  stock.  There  had  also  been  used 
the  red-roan  51st  Duke  of  Oxford  38531,  a  son  of  the 
famous  Bow  Park  bull  4th  Duke  of  Clarence.  In 
common  with  all  other  admirers  of  the  Bates  tribes 
of  that  time  in  the  West  the  Woodburn  management 
had  a  very  high  appreciation  of  the  4th  Duke  of 
Clarence  blood  and  a  second  cross  of  it  was  intro- 
duced into  the  herd  through  the  medium  of  Oxford 
Grand  Duke  2d  88329,  sired  by  imp.  2d  Duke  of 
Whittlebury  out  of  the  fine  4th  Duke  cow  Grand 
Duchess  of  Oxford  52d. 

The  dispersion  occurred  at  Dexter  Park,  Chicago 
Union  Stock  Yards,  June  11,  1891 ;  twenty-six  head 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE  CENTUKY  735 

of  Airdrie  Dukes  and  Duchesses  selling  for  $10,920 
— an  average  of  $420  each.  The  cattle  were  widely 
scattered,  the  leading  buyers  of  Duchesses  being 
Messrs.  Brown  and  Smith  of  Sangamon  Co,,  111.  The 
top  price  was  $820,  paid  by  D.  A.  Curtis,  Addison, 
Mich.,  for  50th  Duke  of  Airdrie.  The  highest  price 
for  a  Duchess  female  was  $780,  given  by  Messrs.  L. 
W.  Brown  &  Son.  Five  Oxfords  sold  for  an  average 
of  $356.  The  stock  bull  Oxford  Grand  Duke  2d  was 
bought  by  Coles  &  Hatch,  Spring  Grove,  111.,  at  $500. 
Imp.  Oxford  Duke  of  Calthwaite  3d  went  to  Elbert 
&  Fall,  Albia,  la.,  at  $450.  Thirteen  head  of  Thorn- 
dale  Eoses,  descended  from  the  importation  of  1882, 
sold  for  an  average  of  $193.  Nine  Wild  Eyes  went 
for  an  average  of  $162.20.  Eighteen  Barringtons 
were  closed  out  at  an  average  of  $141.65.  The  entire 
lot,  consisting  of  seventy-one  head,  fetched  $18,220 
— a  general  average  of  $256. 

Columbian  Exposition  awards. — The  exhibit  of 
Short-horns  at  the  Chicago  World's  Fair  of  1893  was 
beyond  question  the  best  and  largest  of  which  there 
is  any  record  in  the  history  of  the  American  show- 
yard.  The  trying  task  of  awarding  prizes  was  as- 
signed to  Hon.  J.  H.  Pickrell,  H.  C.  Duncan  and  John 
T.  Gibson,  and  in  view  of  the  permanent  interest 
that  must  attach  to  this  record-breaking  competition 
the  prize  list  is  herewith  appended: 

Aged  bulls— First  to  Col.  T.  S.  Moberley's  Young  Abbotts- 
burn  110679;  second  to  J.  G.  Robbins  &  Sons'  Gay  Monarch 
92411;  third  to  Col.  T.  S.  Moberley's  Nonpareil  Chief  113034; 
fourth  to  H.  F.  Brown's  Earl  Fame   8th  107695;   fifth  to  J.  H. 


73f)  A   HISTORY    OF    SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

Potts  &  Son's  Thistlewood  95417;  sixth  to  H.  P.  Brown's  Golden 
Rule  98268.* 

Two-year-old  bulls — First  to  L.  W.  Brown  &  Sons'  Young 
Marshal  110705;  second  to  J.  H.  Potts  &  Son's  Chancellor  106791; 
third  to  W.  C.  Edwards'  imp.  Knight  of  St.  John;  fourth  to  H. 
F.  Brown's  Imperial  Prince  108359;  fifth  to  B.  O.  Cowan's  Lord 
Waterloo  112746;   sixth  to  W.  G.  Sanders'  Elgin  Chief. 

Yearling  Bulls — First  to  J.  &  W.  Russell's  white  Lord  Stan- 
ley; second  to  H.  F.  Brown's  Fifer  111994;  third  and  fourth  to 
Messrs.  Nicholson's  Valasco  21st  and  Norseman;  fifth  to  J.  H. 
Potts  &  Son's  Lavender  King  4th;  sixth  to  Green  Bros.'  Royal 
Consul  2d. 

Bull  calves — First  to  H.  F.  Brown's  Victor  of  Browndale 
117621;  second  to  W.  B.  Cockburn's  Indian  Warrior;  third  to  B. 
O.  Cowan's  Plato;  fourth  to  L.  W.  Brown  &  Son's  Golddust;  fifth 
to  H.  F.  Brown's  Lord  Wild  Eyes;  sixth  to  Messrs.  Russell's 
Prince  of  Kinellar. 

Aged  cows — First  to  J.  G.  Robbins  &  Sons'  Gay  Mary;  second 
to  H.  F.  Brown's  Elvira  of  Browndale  3d;  third  to  H.  F.  Brown's 
Victoria  of  Glenwood  8th;  fourth  to  Col.  T.  S.  Moberley's  For- 
est Belle  15th;  fifth  to  Potts  &  Son's  Emma  11th;  sixth  to  0.  W. 
Fisher's  Lovely  Pride. 

Two-year-old  heifers — First  to  Col.  T.  S.  Moberley's  Gem  of 
Hickory  Park  3d;  second  to  Messrs.  Russell's  Centennial  Isabella 
25th;  third  to  J.  H.  Potts  &  Son's  Surprise  of  Oakland  3d;  fourth 
to  J.  G.  Robbins  &  Sons'  Nora  Davis;  fifth  to  H.  F.  Brown's  Red 
Empress;  sixth  to  H.  F.  Brown's  Oxford  Duchess  of  Brown- 
dale 2d. 

Yearling  heifers — First  to  B.  0.  Cowan's  Dora  6th;  second  to 
H.  F.  Brown's  Spicey  of  Browndale  2d;  third  to  J.  H.  Potts  & 
Son's  Surprise  of  Oakland  4th;  fourth  to  T.  W.  Hunt's  Beautiful 


*  Golden  Rule  was  a  red  of  superb  handling  quality,  bred  by  the 
late  Robert  Miller  of  West  Liberty,  la.,  from  imp.  Goldstick  86748  and 
Golden  Feather.  He  was  dropped  the  property  of  C.  B.  Dustin,  Summer 
Hill,  111.,  and  after  doing  service  in  the  Dustin  herd  for  several  sea- 
sons was  sold  to  Mr.  H.  F.  Brown  of  Browndale  Farm,  Minneapolis, 
Minn.,  whose  show  herds  under  the  capable  training  of  Robert  Ewart 
for  many  years  constituted  a  leading  feature  of  the  Short-horn  exhibits 
on  the  Western  circuit.  Few  herds  have  a  longer  list  of  first  and 
championship  prizes  to  their  credit  than  Browndale,  and  as  appears 
from  this  list  of  Columbian  awards,  Mr.  Brown  received  some  of  the 
highest  honors  at  the  greatest  Short-horn  show  this  country  has 
ever  seen 


td 
o 

}2          i:^ 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE  CENTURY  737 

Belle;  fifth  to  Messrs.  Nicholson's  21st  Maid  of  Sylvan;  sixth  to 
B.  0.  Cowan's  Phyllisia  25th. 

Heifer  calves — First  to  Messrs.  Russell's  Centennial  Isabella 
30th;  second  to  W.  C.  Edwards'  Lady  Fame;  third  to  J.  G.  Rob- 
bins  &  Sons'  Nancy  Hanks;  fourth  to  H.  F.  Brown's  Rosemary 
of  Browndale;  fifth  to  J.  D.  Varner's  Claribelle;  sixth  to  Messrs. 
Russell's  Ruby  Princess. 

Championships — Bull  of  any  age,  Moberley's  Young  Abbotts- 
burn.     Cow  of  any  age,  Robbins'  Gay  Mary. 

Herd — First  to  H.  F.  Brown;  second  to  T.  S.  Moberley;  third 
to  Robbins  &  Sons;  fourth  to  Potts  &  Son;  fifth  to  T.  S.  Mober- 
ley; sixth  to  H.  F.  Brown. 

Young  herds — First  to  Messrs.  Russell;  second  to  E.  0.  Cow- 
an; third  to  H.  F.  Brown;  fourth  to  Potts  &  Son;  fifth  to  Messrs. 
Nicholson;  sixth  to  Moberley. 

Four  animals,  either  sex,  under  four  years  old,  the  get  of  one 
sire — First  to  Messrs.  Russell  on  progeny  of  Cruickshank  bull 
Stanley;  second  to  Potts  &  Son  on  progeny  of  imp.  King  of  Aber- 
deen; third  to  Col.  T.  S.  Moberley  on  heifers  sired  by  the  Bates- 
bred  Thorndale  Rose  Duke  95425;  fourth  to  Messrs.  Robbins  on 
get  of  Gay  Monarch;  fifth  to  Messrs.  Nicholson  on  get  of  Nonpa- 
reil Chief;  sixth  to  Green  Bros,  on  get  of  Royal  Briton. 

Two  animals,  either  sex,  the  produce  of  one  cow — First  to  H. 
F.  Brown's  Elviras  of  Browndale  3d  and  4th;  second  to  Messrs. 
Potts'  Surprises  of  Oakland  3d  and  4th;  third  to  Messrs.  Russell's 
Prince  Royal  and  cow  Queen  Mary;  fourth  to  Messrs.  Robbins' 
Nora  Davis  and  Nancy  Hanks;  fifth  to  T.  W.  Hunt's  Beautiful 
Belle  and  Silver  Flower;  sixth  to  T.  S.  Moberley  on  progeny  of 
Forest  Belle  6th. 

A  series  of  championship  competitions,  open  to  all  beef 
breeds,  was  arranged  by  the  management,  and  in  this  the  repu- 
tation of  the  Short-horn  was  well  sustained  against  all  comers. 
Prizes  were  awarded  by  a  committee  consisting  of  J.  G.  Imboden, 
Decatur,  111.,  William  Stocking,  Rochelle,  111.,  and  J.  C.  Snell  of 
Canada.  In  the  herd  competition  Messrs.  J.  G.  Robbins  &  Sons 
carried  first  prize  with  the  Marr-bred  Alexandria  bull  Gay  Mon- 
arch, the  cow  Gay  Mary,  two-year-old  Nora  Davis,  the  yearling 
heifer  Lady  Verbena  and  heifer  calf  Nancy  Hanks.  The  second 
and  third  prizes  in  this  competition  were  won  by  Herefords,  and 


738  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT -HORN   CATTLE 

the  fourth  and  fifth  by  Short-horns  owned  respectively  by  Messrs. 
Moberley  and  Brown.  The  young  herd  prize  was  also  won  by 
Short-horns,  consisting  of  the  Canadian  lot  shown  by  Messrs. 
Russell,  headed  by  the  white  yearling  Lord  Stanley.  Col.  Mober- 
ley's  Young  Abbottsburn  was  adjudged  best  aged  bull  of  any 
breed  on  exposition,  with  Mr.  Clough's  Hereford  Ancient  Briton 
second  and  Robbins'  Gay  Monarch*  third.  Russell's  yearling  Lord 
Stanley  carried  the  yearling  bull  championship,  and  in  bull 
calves  Mr.  Cockburn,  also  of  Canada,  won  with  Indian  Warrior, 
sired  by  Arthur  Johnston's  imp.  Sittyton  Victoria  bull  Indian 
Chief.  The  heifer  calf  champion  was  won  by  Mr.  Russell  of 
Canada,  with  Centennial  Isabella  30th. 

The  $1,000  special  championship  prize  for  best  ten  head  of 
cattle  of  any  breed  bred  by  the  exhibitor  was  awarded  to  Mr.  H. 
F.  Brown  by  a  committee  consisting  of  Wallace  Estill,  Richard 
Gibson  and  H.  H.  Clough.  J.  H.  Potts  &  Son  received  second  in 
this  competition,  Mr.  Van  Natta  third  with  Herefords  and  Messrs. 
Moberley  and  Robbins  fourth  and  fifth  with  Short-horns. 

Recent  importations. — The  close  of  the  century 
finds  the  Scotch  blood  the  prevailing  fashionable 
element  on  both  sides  of  the  water.  Sires  of  North- 
country  breeding  are  in  service  in  most  of  the  lead- 
ing collections  of  the  breed  in  the  United  States  and 
Canada.  English  sentiment  is  still  somewhat  di- 
vided upon  the  subject  of  the  Scotch  cross,  but 
under  the  leadership  of  Messrs.  Deane  Willis — whose 
winnings  at  the  great  English  shows  of  recent  years 
with  stock  of  Aberdeenshire  descent  have  attracted 
universal  attention — and    P.    L.    Mills    the    North- 


*Gay  Monarch  was  a  roan,  sired  by  William  of  Orange  out  of  an 
Athabasca  dam,  and  was  for  several  seasons  one  of  the  star  attrac- 
tions of  the  Short-horn  exhibit  at  Western  shows.  He  not  only  car- 
ried many  first  and  championship  prizes,  but  in  the  Robbins  herd 
sired  show  cattle  of  outstanding  merit.  He  was  a  smooth,  deep-fleshed 
bull,  possessing  more  character  than  Young  Abbottsburn,  and  must 
be  ranked  with  the  Duke  of  Richmond  and  Baron  Victor  as  one  of 
the  most  valuable  breeding  animals  of  the  Scotch  type  ever  used  in 
the  West.     He  died  the  property  of  Messrs.  Robbins  in  1899. 


ciiAMnoN  snow  bull  st.  valentine  121014— bred  by  guard- 
house &  SON,   OF  CANADA.     SHOWN   BY  J.   G.   BOBBINS  & 
SONS,    HORACE,    IND.,    AND    BY    GEO.    E.    WARD, 
HAWARDEN,    lA. 


IMP.    BARON    CRUICKSHANK    ±.-h.o.^i.i.i 

LYNIE.    AND   IMPORTED   BY   C. 

SUMMER   HILL. 


.1.    BY    WM.    DDTHIE, 
B.    DUSTIN   &  SON, 
ILL. 


COL- 


CLOSIXG  EVENTS  OF  THE  CENTURY  739 

country  blood  has  now  strong  footing  south  of  the 
River  Tweed. 

For  several  years  after  the  conclusion  of  Mr. 
Luther  Adams  ^  importing  operations  trade  condi- 
tions in  America  were  such  as  did  not  afford  much 
encouragement  for  the  purchase  of  Short-horns  in 
Great  Britain  for  shipment  to  America,  but  the  re- 
newed interest  manifested  in  cattle  breeding  during 
the  past  few  years  has  led  to  a  revival  of  importa- 
tions. Without  undertaking  to  supply  details  as  to 
these  contemporary  business  transactions,  attention 
may  be  called  to  the  importation  in  1891,  personally 
selected  in  Scotland  by  Mr.  C.  B.  Dustin  for  account 
of  himself  and  Mr.  J.  F.  Prather.  This  importation 
was  chiefly  notable  as  including  the  splendid  sire 
Baron  Cruickshank  106297,  bred  by  Mr.  Duthie  from 
Collingwood  106881,  and  the  Mysie  cow  Maria  10th, 
by  Field  Marshal.  This  bull  was  used  jointly  for  a 
time  by  Messrs.  Dustin  and  Prather,  but  latterly  was 
the  sole  property  of  the  proprietor  of  Hill  Farm. 
He  was  a  richly-fleshed,  robust  roan,  and  left  much 
good  stock.  Mr.  Prather 's  imp.  Duke  of  Hamilton 
2d  107363,  of  this  same  importation  and  also  of  Mr. 
Duthie 's  breeding,  a  mellow-handling  red,  also  left 
a  valuable  progeny  at  Village  Park.  Mr.  Dustin  has 
recently  added  to  the  wealth  of  Western  Short-horn 
herds  by  the  purchase  and  importation  of  the  capital 
young  bull  Merry  Hampton  132572,  a  winner  as  a 
yearling  at  the  Highland  show  of  1898,  and  bred  at 
Collynie  from  the  Missie  cow  Madamoiselle  6th  by 


740  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Field  Marshal.  This  bull  was  landed  in  Illinois  at 
a  cost  of  $2,000. 

One  of  the  most  valuable  of  recent  importations 
was  that  personally  selected  in  Great  Britain  by  Mr. 
I.  M.  Forbes,  Henry,  111.,  in  the  summer  of  1898.  It 
included  about  a  dozen  females  from  the  herds  of 
Messrs.  Duthie,  Marr  and  their  contemporaries,  rep- 
resenting the  Missie,  Princess  Eoyal  and  other 
standard  Aberdeenshire  tribes.  Along  with  this 
importation  came  the  bulls  Star  of  the  North  132076 
and  Fairhaven  131977.  The  former,  of  the  Sittyton 
Clipper  family,  was  bought  from  the  herd  of  Her 
Majesty  the  Queen  of  England.  Fairhaven  was  sold 
at  the  Forbes  sale  of  Oct.  11,  1899,  to  Benjamin 
Whitsitt,  Pre-Emption,  111.,  for  $1,000.* 

Importations  from  Scotland  have  also  been  made 


*At  this  same  sale  Mr.  J.  F.  Prather,  Williamsville,  111.,  took  the 
handsome  home-bred  cow  Golden  Venus  at  $850  and  the  imp.  heifer 
Rosemary  201st  at  $825.  John  M.  Blotz.  Dodgeville,  Wis.,  bought 
imp.  Gwendoline  at  $801.  The  thirty-nine  females  offered  averaged 
$295.50,  the  general  average  on  fifty  head  being  $298.  This  sale  was 
held  to  close  a  partnership  that  had  existed  for  some  time  between 
Messrs.  I.  M.  and  Caleb  Forbes  under  the  name  of  Forbes  Bros.,  the 
dissolution  being  rendered  necessary  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Caleb  Forbes. 
The  partnership  herd  had  been  successfully  maintained  at  a,  high 
standard  of  individual  excellence.  The  stock  bull  Baron  Gloster 
101657,  that  was  in  service  for  a  nvimber  of  years,  was  one  of  the 
thickest-fleshed  Cruickshank  bulls  of  his  time  in  the  United  States, 
an  animal  of  compact  conformation,  rare  quality  and  a  most  impres- 
sive sire  of  short-legged,  easy-keeping  stock.  Mr.  I.  M.  Forbes,  who 
had  at  all  times  been  the  moving  spirit  in  the  management,  continued 
Short-horn  breeding  with  a  capital  selection  of  Scotch  and  Scotch- 
topped  cows  and  heifers,  including  a  majority  of  those  comprising  the 
importation  of  1898  ;  Star  of  the  North  being  the  chief  stock  bull  in 
service. 

Benjamin  Whitsitt's  father  was  one  of  the  Pioneer  Short-horn 
breeders  of  Western  Illinois,  and  the  son  has  been  at  all  times  an  effi- 
cient and  persistent  advocate  of  the  use  of  pure-bred  bulls  for  the 
production  of  high-class  steers.  He  feeds  largely  for  the  Chicago  mar- 
ket, has  had  in  service  in  his  pure-bred  herd  a  succession  of  good 
Scotch  sires,  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  successful  stock- 
men of  his  district. 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE  CENTURY  741 

in  recent  years  by  Messrs.  Miller,  Cargill,  Flatt*  and 
others  of  Canada,  and  by  Messrs.  Gerlaugh,  Hard- 
ing, Hanna,  Wood,  Bobbins  and  other  prominent 
present-day  breeders  of  the  States.  Prices  are  ris- 
ing again  at  home  and  abroad.  Five  thousand  dol- 
lars has  been  refused  for  the  Highland  Society  ^s 
prize  bull  of  1899,  Cornerstone,  and  even  this  figure 
seems  likely  to  be  exceeded  in  the  near  future. 

One  of  the  notable  show-yard  triumphs  of  recent 
years  was  the  exhibition  by  Messrs,  Robbins  of  the 
Canadian-bred  bull  St.  Valentine  121014,  descending 
from  the  imported  Booth-topped  cow  Verbena,  bred 
by  John  Outhwaite.  He  was  the  champion  bull  of 
the  West  in  1897  and  was  sold  along  with  some  valu- 
able females  to  George  E.  Ward,  Hawarden,  la.  In 
1898  St.  Valentine  was  champion  at  the  Illinois 
State  Fair  and  headed  Mr.  Ward's  first-prize  herd 
at  same  show,  which  included  Monarch's  Lady,  by 
Gay  Monarch,  and  St.  Valentine's  daughters  Selma 
and  Lady  Valentine. t 


*At  an  auction  held  by  Mr.  W.  D.  Flatt  at  Hamilton,  Ont.,  Dec. 
20,  1899,  at  which  Col.  Fred  M.  Woods  of  liincoln,  Neb.,  presided  as 
auctioneer,  about  forty  head  of  imported  Scotch-bred  heifers  and  young 
bulls  were  sold  for  an  average  of  $477.30,  the  top  price  being  $900, 
paid  by  P.  S.  Lewis  &  Son,  Point  Pleasant,  W.  Va.,  for  the  roan  bull 
calf  Sir  Wilfred  Laurier,  by  the  Royal  champion  Marengo. 

fAt  the  Trans-Mississippi  Exposition  at  Omaha  same  year,  Mr.  H. 
F.  Brown  defeated  St.  Valentine — after  a  contest  developing  some 
bitterness — with  the  Canadian-bred  Nominee  131262,  a  roan  lacking 
the  wealth  of  flesh  shown  by  St.  Valentine,  but  big,  level  and  presented 
in  fine  bloom.  In  1899  the  Short-horn  herd  prize  at  the  Illinois  State 
Fair  was  won  by  Mr.  T.  J.  Wornall,  Mosby,  Mo.,  with  Viscount  of 
Anoka  125081,  bred  by  Messrs.  Harding  of  Waukesha,  Wis.  ;  among 
the  females  shown  being  Sultana  (by  Gay  Monarch)  and  Lady  Valen- 
tine, seen  in  Mr.  Ward's  herd  of  1898.  Two  thick -fleshed,  sappy  heifer 
calves  by  St.  Valentine  were  successfully  shown  by  Messrs.  Robbins 
at  the  fall  fairs  of  1899,  one  of  which,  Ruberta.  a  Sittyton  Duchess  of 
Gloster,  was  champion  calf  of  the  circuit. 


742  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Herd-book  consolidation. — One  of  the  most  im- 
portant events  of  the  period  under  review  was  the 
purchase  in  the  autumn  of  1882  by  the  American 
Short-horn  Breeders'  Association  of  the  herd  book, 
which  had  up  to  that  date  been  issued  as  a  private 
enterprise  by  Lewis  F.  Allen,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  The 
price  paid  was  $25,000.  More  or  less  confusion 
in  reference  to  American  records  had  arisen  from 
the  fact  that  a  pedigree  register,  known  as  the 
American  Short-horn  Eecord,  had  been  established 
and  published  for  some  years  in  Kentucky,  and  that 
a  similar  book,  known  as  the  Ohio  Short-horn  Kec- 
ord,  was  being  issued,  by  the  breeders  of  the  Buckeye 
State.  Both  of  these  registers  were  the  manifesta- 
tion of  disapproval  of  the  manner  in  which  Mr. 
Allen  was  conducting  the  herd  book  which  he  had 
established  in  1846.  The  purchase  and  consolidation 
of  these  various  records  by  the  National  Breeders' 
Association  was  the  happy  solution  of  a  situation 
that  was  becoming  fairly  intolerable,  and  since  1883 
but  one  book  has  been  in  existence.  Hon.  J.  H.  Pick- 
rell  was  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  this  project,  and 
the  first  volume  (XXIV)  issued  by  the  National 
Association  appeared  under  the  auspices  of  the  fol- 
lowing board  of  officers:  President,  J.  H.  Pickrell; 
Vice-President,  B.  F.  Vanmeter;  Treasurer,  T.  W. 
Harvey;  Secretary,  L.  P.  Muir;  Directors,  C.  C. 
Nourse  of  Iowa,  S.  F.  Lockridge  of  Indiana,  C.  A. 
DeGrafP  of  Minnesota,  W.  A.  Harris  of  Kansas,  A. 
M.  Bowman  of  Virginia,  Emory  Cobb  of  Illinois,  C. 


CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  THE   CENTURY  743 

E.  Leonard  of  Missouri,  L.  B.  Wing  of  Ohio,  and 
John  Hope  of  Canada. 

The  office  was  first  established  in  the  city  of  Chi- 
cago, but  was  subsequently  removed  to  Springfield. 
111.,  where  it  remained  until  after  the  construction 
of  the  Pedigree  Record  Building  by  the  Union  Stock 
Yard  Company  of  Chicago,  when  it  was  brought 
back  to  the  Western  metropolis.  After  Mr.  Pickrell 
gave  up  cattle  breeding  he  was  chosen  Secretary 
and  Editor  of  the  Herd  Book  to  succeed  Col.  Muir, 
retaining  the  office  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1901.  Mr.  John  W.  Groves  is  the  present  incum- 
bent.* 


*  Canadian  breeders  organized  the  Dominion  Short-horn  Breeders' 
Association  some  years  ago,  and  vmder  the  Presidency  of  the  Hon.  John 
Dryden  began  in  1886  the  publication  of  the  Dominion  Herd  Book,  of 
which  Mr.  Henry  Wade  of  Toronto  is  still  Secretary  and  editor. 

In  Great  Britain  the  National  pedigree  register  for  the  breed  is  still 
published  under  the  original  name,  "Coates'  Herd  Book,"  although  it 
has  for  some  years  been  owned  and  issued  by  the  Short-horn  Society 
of  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and  Irelan(^,  with  offices  at  12 
Hanover  Square,  London. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 
A  DUAL-PUKPOSE  BREED 

Since  the  days  when  the  Renieks  drove  their  first 
well-bred  bullocks  from  the  Ohio  Valley  over  the 
mountains  to  the  seaboard  markets  the  Short-horn 
has  been  a  familiar  figure  in  the  pastures,  feed-lots, 
dairies  and  stock-yards  of  the  United  States.  When 
the  mighty  agricultural  empire  of  the  Upper  Mis- 
sissippi Valley  came  under  the  sway  of  the  early 
settlers  the  Short-horn  was  called  to  fill  a  place  that 
he  seems  destined  to  occupy  for  generations  yet  to 
come.  Throughout  this  broad  realm  of  blue  grass 
and  Indian  corn  the  roan  badge  of  Short-horn  birth 
has  ever  been  a  passport  into  the  favor  of  thoughtful 
farmers.  In  the  development  of  the  great  ranges 
of  the  farther  West  the  Short-horn  bull  was  a  pio- 
neer in  that  wonderful  improvement  that  has  at  last 
driven  the  Texas  Long-horn  from  the  plains  and 
mountains.  On  Australian  ^'stations''  and  on  the 
estancias  of  Argentine  the  Short-horn  bull  has  led 
the  line  of  progress  toward  greater  weights  and 
neater  carcasses.  Others  have  since  appeared  upon 
the  scene  to  share  with  him  the  honor  of  the  con- 
quest over  the  ^^ scrub"  creation,  as  revealed  by  ex- 
isting conditions  in  the  West,  but  the  credit  for  the 

744 


WILD    QTEEX     20— WINNER    OF    FIRST    MILKINH     miZE.     LONDON 
DAIRY   SHOW.    1808. 


WHISKERS— CHAMPION    AMERICAN    FAT    STOCK    SHOW.    1894. 


A   DUAL-PURPOSE   BREED  745 

long  years  of  sapping  and  mining  that  made  present 
successes  possible  must  be  laid  at  the  feet  of  the 
Short-horn  bull.  Indeed,  the  story  of  the  world-wide 
wanderings  of  this  bovine  Ulysses  supplies  the 
theme  for  an  agricultural  Odyssey. 

Universal  adaptability. — The  lapse  of  years  only 
serves  to  strengthen  the  position  of  the  Short-horn. 
A  century  of  close  contact  with  the  most  exacting 
requirements  of  the  farm  and  feed-lot  has  only  deep- 
ened the  hold  of  the  *'red,  white  and  roans''  upon 
the  affections  of  the  agricultural  world.  The  source 
of  this  perennial  popularity  must  be  apparent  even 
to  the  most  casual  observer.  The  strength  of  the 
Short-horn  lies  in  its  unrivaled  range  of  adaptabil- 
ity; in  the  facility  with  which  it  responds  to  the 
varied  demands  of  those  who  pursue  a  system  of 
diversified  farming — the  rearing  of  live  stock  as  an 
essential  feature  in  a  well-ordered  scheme  of  mixed 
husbandry.  The  Short-horn  is  distinctively  and 
emphatically  a  dual-purpose  breed.  The  bull  calves 
can  be  turned  into  market-topping  steers,'and  under 
proper  management  the  heifers  develop  marked 
value  for  the  dairy.  The  pure-bred  Short-horn  bull 
as  a  first  cross  upon  common  or  native  cows — espe- 
cially if  they  be  wanting  in  size — is  a  certain  source 
of  immediate  improvement;  imparting  scale,  shape- 
liness and  quality  to  his  progeny.  The  Short-horn 
grade  heifer  is  the  foundation  upon  which  bulls  of 
other  improved  breeds  have  builded  some  of  their 
most  signal  successes.    In  a  lean  or  ^' store''  condi- 


746  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

tion  the  Short-horn  is  still  attractive  by  reason  of 
his  level  lines  and  general  symmetry. 

Feed-lot  favorites. — Cattle-feeding  as  a  leading 
industry,  in  connection  with  American  farming  had 
its  origin  in  Short-horn  blood  one  hundred  years 
ago  in  the  valley  of  the  south  branch  of  the  Potomac 
Kiver  in  Virginia.  Crossing  the  Blue  Kidge  it  be- 
came a  source  of  wealth  to  the  Ohio  Valley  States, 
and  the  grazing  and  feeding  of  Short-horn  steers 
has  followed  as  a  matter  of  course  the  establishment 
of  pure-bred  herds  throughout  the  newer  West.  In 
the  foregoing  pages  we  have  endeavored  to  afford 
a  general  view  of  the  character  and  breeding  of  the 
pedigreed  stock  from  whence  farmers  of  the  corn- 
belt  and  contiguous  territory  have  drawn  their  sup- 
plies of  Short-horn  blood;  but  space  will  not  admit 
of  extending  our  inquiry  to  the  gates  of  the  myriad 
farms  upon  which  this  blood  has  been  utilized  as 
a  machine  for  the  profitable  conversion  of  grain  and 
grass  into  beef  and  milk. 

While  the  leading  breeders  were  engaged  in  ex- 
hibiting, importing  and  selling  high-class  registered 
cattle,  as  detailed  in  preceding  chapters,  shifting 
their  allegiance  from  time  to  time  from  one  strain 
of  blood  to  another,  the  farmers  of  Great  Britain, 
Canada  and  the  States  were  all  the  while  taking 
the  surplus  bulls  and  grading  up  the  common  cattle 
of  their  respective  countries.  They  found  that  each 
crop  of  calves  from  a  good  bull  was  worth  enough 
more  than  a  crop  from  a  '* scrub''  or  a  grade  sire 


A   DUAL-PURPOSE   BREED  747 

to  more  than  pay  the  difference  in  the  first  cost  of 
the  bull.  Feeders  stood  ready  to  take  the  steers  as 
fast  as  they  approached  maturity,  and  such  farmers 
as  had  the  foresight  to  use  the  pure-bred  bulls  soon 
obtained  a  reputation  for  the  quality  of  their  cattle 
that  insured  them  a  handsome  premium  for  their 
surplus  stock.  In  this  way  the  producers  and  con- 
sumers of  beef  profited  enormously  by  the  enter- 
prise of  those  Avho  spent  their  money  so  lavishly  in 
the  importation,  breeding  and  exhibition  of  choice 
specimens  of  the  breed,  as  noted  in  preceding  pages. 
** Prime  Scots." — Perhaps  the  most  notable  illus- 
tration of  the  value  of  the  blood  for  practical  feed- 
ing purposes  developed  by  the  history  of  the  breed 
in  Britain  is  afforded  by  the  evolution  of  the  so- 
called  ''prime  Scots"  of  the  English  market.  This 
particular  brand  of  high-priced  steer  represents  the 
commingling  of  the  blood  of  the  Short-horn  with 
that  of  the  black  polled  races  of  Scotland.  The 
Xorth-of-Scotland  farmers  were  free  buyers  of 
Short-horn  bulls  from  such  herds  as  those  of  Ury, 
Eden,  Shethin  and  Sittyton.  Indeed,  the  surprising 
statement  is  made  that  not  less  than  1,000  bulls  of 
their  own  breeding  were  sold  by  the  Messrs.  Cruick- 
sliank  during  a  period  of  forty-seven  years  for  cross- 
ing purposes!  This  necessarily  wrought  a  wonder- 
ful improvement  in  the  character  of  the  farm  cattle 
of  Aberdeenshire  and  adjacent  counties,  and  Robert 
Bruce  has  favored  us  with  the  following  interesting 
statement  as  to  how  the  cattle-^rrowers  of  those  dis- 


748  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOE N   CATTLE 

tricts  proceeded  with  the  work  of  producing  the 
"prime  Scots": 

Before  the  Short-horns  found  their  way  to  the  Northern 
counties  of  Scotland  the  cattle  there  were  nearly  all  black,  a  large 
proportion  of  them  being  polled.  Between  1830  and  1840  Short- 
horns began  to  be  freely  used  by  the  ordinary  farmers  with  the 
result  that  there  was  improvement  in  the  size  over  the  native 
stock.  Along  with  increased  size  the  cross-bred  animals  had  the 
valuable  quality  of  maturing  early  in  comparison  with  others. 
The  results  of  using  a  Short-horn  bull  with  the  native  cows  were 
so  satisfactory  that  for  a  considerable  time  this  system  of  cross- 
ing was  considered  the  only  safe  and  proper  one.  I  can  remember 
well  the  effects  of  this  belief  all  over  the  North  of  Scotland  where 
the  farmers  had  gone  on  using  Short-horn  bulls  on  three,  four, 
and  five  generations  of  cows,  grades  from  the  original  native 
polled  cows,  till  the  large  proportion  of  the  stock  in  farmers' 
hands  were  fairly  passable  Short-horns.  At  the  time  I  refer  to, 
from  1850  to  1860,  I  do  not  believe  you  could  have  found  two 
Aberdeen-Angus  bulls  serving  in  herds  other  than  those  that 
were  pure-bred,  and  so  few  pure-bred  herds  were  there  that  it 
became  impossible  for  the  ordinary  farmers  to  get  polled  heif- 
ers to  follow  out  what  they  called  the  right  system  of  crossing. 

I  may  whisper  in  your  "lug"  that  it  was  about  this  time  that 
the  Aberdeen-Angus  cattle  improved  so  much,  and  there  can  be 
no  doubt  that  many  a  dash  of  Short-horn  blood  was  introduced 
with  much  advantage  to  the  black-skins.  This,  however,  is  away 
from  the  point.  The  great  scarcity  of  Aberdeen-Angus  heifers 
drove  the  farmers  to  use  the  Aberdeen-Angus  bulls  on  their  cross- 
bred Short-horn  grade  cows.  I  can  distinctly  remember  the  sub- 
ject of  the  doings  of  a  farmer,  an  owner  of  a  herd  of  high-grade 
(Shorthorn)  cows,  being  discussed  widely  with  much  headshak- 
ing  seeing  he  had  ventured  to  use  a  polled  bull  in  his  herd.  His 
experiment  was  carefully  watched  and  before  five  years  there 
was  a  demand  for  Aberdeen-Angus  bulls  for  use  in  farmers' 
herds  of  cross-bred,  in  fact,  Short-horn  grade  cows. 

For  the  past  thirty  years  the  following  may  be  said  to  be  tlie 
common  practice  iij  the  North  of  Scotland.  As  I  have  said  the 
cows  in  the  hands  of  farmers  were  more   or  less  Short-horns 


A   DUAL-PURPOSE  BREED  749 

These  were  put  to  the  Aberdeen-Angus  bulls  and  the  heifers  kept 
as  cows  practically  first  crosses.  These  and  their  daughters 
were  again  put  to  Aberdeen-Angus  bulls,  when  Short-horn  bulls 
were  again  brought  in  for  several  generations,  and  so  on  alter- 
nating between  Short-horns  and  Aberdeen-Angus  sires  (always 
pure-bred  herd-book  animals),  the  farmers  possessing  herds  of 
cows  the  direct  female  descendants  of  cows  owned  by  their 
grandfathers. 

I  do  not  know  as  I  need  say  anything  more  on  this  subject. 
The  blend  of  the  two  breeds  is  a  mixture  which  produces  a  class 
of  cattle  having  no  equal  as  a  rent-paying  stock  in  this  country; 
and  speaking  from  my  own  observation  I  believe  it  matters  little 
how  the  mixture  is  concocted  so  long  as  it  is  Short-horn  and 
Aberdeen-Angus,  the  judgment  of  the  breeder  being  brought  into 
play  in  determining  the  amount  of  either  of  the  two  factors.  It 
must,  however,  be  borne  in  mind  that  even  this  valuable  mixture 
could  not  produce  the  Prime  Scots  which  the  London  West  End 
butchers  sell  at  such  high  prices  and  which  the  "upper  ten"  are 
pleased  to  pay  for  if  the  North  Country  farmers  ever  allowed 
their  young  stock  to  lose  their  calf  flesh.  To  produce  the  high- 
selling  article  an  ox  ought  to  be  fit  to  kill  any  time  during  his 
life,  and  the  question  of  the  proper  age  for  slaughter  entirely  de- 
pends upon  markets  and  such  like  circumstances.  Many  people 
unacquainted  with  the  Northern  cattle  say  the  first  cross  is  the 
only  right  one,  but  you  may  go  from  farm  to  farm  in  the  North 
of  Scotland  where,  as  I  have  said,  nothing  but  cross-bred  cows 
have  been  bred  in  the  family  for  generations  and  yet  the  farm- 
ers pride  themselves  on  their  herds  of  cows — cows  that  produce 
steers  to  top  the  London  market. 

Crosses  of  light-colored  Short-horns  and  the 
shaggy  black  Galloways  have  long  been  popular 
feeding  steers  in  Britain,  producing  a  "blue-gray'^ 
beast  that  feeds  out  into  a  thick-cutting  carcass  of 
richly-marbled  beef.  Needless  to  add  the  ''prime 
Scots''  sell  at  fancy  prices  at  Smithfield  and  other 
leading  English  markets,  and  are  frequent  winners 
at  the  British  National  fat-cattle  shows. 


750  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HOEN   CATTLE 

Smithfield  Club. — England  is  epicurean  in  rela- 
tion to  its  meats.  John  Bull  lives  much  in  the  open 
air.  He  is  in  vigorous  physical  health.  His  diges- 
tion is  not  impaired.  He  is  the  world's  best  cus- 
tomer for  rich,  well-ripened  cuts  of  beef.  He  not 
only  originated  all  of  the  improved  breeds  of  beef 
cattle,  but  more  than  a  century  ago  provided  for 
a  public  test  as  to  the  relative  merits  of  the  rival 
types. 

The  Smithfield  Club  of  London  was  instituted 
as  ''The  Smithfield  Cattle  and  Sheep  Society,"  Dec. 
17,  1798,  and  held  its  first  exhibition  at  Smithfield 
the  following  year.  The  title  "Smithfield  Club'' 
was  permanently  adopted  in  1802.  The  club  started 
with  113  members,  and  at  the  initial  show  the  sum 
of  £52  10s.  was  offered  in  prizes.  In  1898  the  mem- 
bership had  increased  to  1,120  with  prizes  amount- 
ing to  £4,965  lis.  Classes  are  now  made  for  Short- 
horns, Hereford s,  Aberdeen- Angus,  Galloways,  De- 
vons,  Sussex,  Eed  Polls,  Welsh,  Highlanders,  cross- 
breds  and  small  cattle  not  otherwise  eligible.  After 
the  first  few  shows  the  exhibition  was  discontinued 
for  a  period  of  twenty  years,  extending  from  1809 
to  1829.  The  official  record  of  awards  for  the  sixty- 
seven  years,  beginning  with  the  show  of  1830,  re- 
veals the  fact  that  thirty-five  championships  have 
been  won  by  pure-bred  Short-horn  steers,,  and  that 
seven  other  champions  were  crosses  of  Short-horn 
blood  with  other  breeds.  Since  1845  medals  have 
been  given  for  the  best  fat  cow  or  heifer  in  the  show, 
and  during  the  fifty-two  years,  ended  in  1897,  no 


A   DUAL-PURPOSE   BREED 


751 


less  than  thirty-four  of  these  championships  were 
won  by  pure-bred  Short-horns.*  Two  other  female 
championships  have  been  awarded  to  animals  carry- 
ing a  Short-horn  cross.  From  this  it  appears  that 
the  breed  has  easily  held  its  own  against  the  com- 
bined opposition  of  all  rival  sorts. 

American  Fat-Stock  Show.— As  already  men- 
tioned the  establishment  of  the  American  Fat-Stock 
Show  under  the  auspices  of  the  Illinois  State  Board 
of  Agriculture,  Chicago,  in  the  autumn  of  1878, 
marked  an  epoch  in  the  history  of  the  breed  in  the 
United  States.  It  substituted  for  the  often  mislead- 
ing tests  of  the  auction  ring  a  public  competition 
based  solely  on  demonstrated  merit  for  feeding  pur- 
poses, in  which  considerations  of  pedigree,  pride  of 

*At  the  Smithfield  Club  show  of  December,  1876,  the  first  prize  of 
£20  and  a  silver  medal  to  the  breeder  in  a  class  of  nine  entries  for 
best  fat  cow  four  years  old  or  over,  was  awarded  to  the  Renick-bred 
exp.  Duchess  10th  (known  in  England  as  Red  Rose  of  Rannoch),  a  "red- 
and-white"  by  Joe  Johnson  (31440)  out  of  Duchess  4th  by  Airdrie 
(30365).     She  was  exhibited  upon  that  occasion  by  the  Earl  of  Dun- 


more  at  a  live  weight  of  1,098  lbs.,  defeating  the  Towneley-bred  Baron 
Oxford's  Duchess.  So  far  as  we  have  record  this  is  the  only  case  of 
an  American-bred  Short-horn  being  exhibited  at  that  show.  The  late 
Abram  Renick  naturally  prized  this  Smithfield  medal  highly,  and  by 
the  courtesv  of  Mr.  Abram  Renick  the  younger  we  are  permitted  to 
present   a  reproduction  of  it  herewith. 


752  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

birth  and  ancestry  were  absolutely  eliminated.  It 
established  a  test,  the  results  of  which  were  worked 
out  by  the  cold  logic  of  the  scales  and  the  judgment 
of  butchers  and  feeders.  It  forced  the  breeders  of 
Short-horns  to  seek  a  class  of  cattle  that  could  suc- 
cessfully contend  with  such  highly  specialized  beef 
types  as  the  Herefords,  Aberdeen- Angus  and  Gallo- 
ways; and  the  manner  in  which  the  great  dual-pur- 
pose breed  responded  to  the  call  thus  made  upon  it 
affords  striking  demonstration  of  the  inherent  capa- 
bilities of  the  race.  In  these  days  of  "baby  beef"  it 
is  interesting  to  note  the  ages  and  weights  of  the 
steers  with  which  prizes  were  won  at  the  initial 
shows. 

John  D.  Gillett  of  Elkhart,  111.,  who  had  gained 
international  fame  as  the  father  of  the  trade  in  ex- 
port bullocks  to  Great  Britain,*  was  from  the  begin- 
ning an  enthusiastic  supporter  of  the  show,  winning 
the  first  championship  in  1878  with  the  Short-horn 


*John  Dean  Gillett  (descended  from  a  French  Huguenot  family 
which  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1631  and  settled  at  Lebanon,  Conn.) 
was  born  April  28,  1819,  at  Fair  Haven,  Conn.  He  attended  the  Lan- 
castrean  School  in  New  Haven,  and  at  the  &ge  of  17  he  went  by  sea 
to  Georgia  to  visit  an  uncle  and  acted  for  two  years  as  a  clerk  in  his 
uncle's  store.  In  1838  he  returned  to  Connecticut,  where  for  three 
months  he  attended  Pearl's  Academy.  In  the  autumn  of  1838  he  left 
his  native  State,  and  in  forty-two  days  made  the  trip  from  New  Ha- 
ven to  Illinois,  going  down  the  Ohio  River  from  Pittsburg  to  Cairo, 
thence  up  the  Mississippi  to  St.  Louis,  and  then  by  stage  to  Springfield, 
111.  A  walk  of  twenty  miles  brought  him  to  Bald  Knob,  where  his 
uncle  lived.  Next  morning  he  went  to  work  for  the  latter  at  $8  a 
month;  two  years  after  (1840)  he  had  saved  up  enough  money  to  en- 
ter, at  $1.25  an  acre,  forty  acres  of  rich  prairie  land  near  what  is 
now  Cornland,  Logan  Co.,  111.  He  began  farming  for  himself  in  that 
year.  He  bought  all  the  land  he  could  possibly  acquire  with  his  sav- 
ings and  cultivated  every  acre  of  it.      Corn  being  worth  only  six  to 


JOHN    D.    GILLETT,    ELKHART.    ILL.— FATHER    OF    THE    AMERICAN 
EXPORT    BULLOCK    TRADE. 


A   DUAL-PURPOSE   BREED  753 

steer  John  Sherman,  about  three  years  and  seven 
months  old,  weighing  2,195  lbs.  Van  Meter  and 
Hamiltons  of  Kentucky  exhibited  bullocks  mainly 
of  the  Young  Mary  family,  weighing  from  2,000  to 
2,440  lbs.  each.  These  cattle  were  three  and  four 
years  old.  At  the  show  of  1879  the  championship 
fell  to  the  Kentucky-bred  roan  three-year-old  steer 
Nichols,  shown  by  J.  H.  Graves  at  a  weight  of  2,060 
lbs.  He  represented  mainly  the  Duke  of  Airdrie  and 
Renick  blood,  and  was  a  grand  specimen  of  the  best 
type  of  prime  beeves  in  demand  at  that  period. 
Even  at  this  early  day  a  call  was  made  for  the  aboli- 
tion of  the  class  for  four-year-olds.  After  the  hold- 
ing of  the  second  show  it  was  pointed  out  that  the 
championships  had  both  been  won  by  three-year- 

eight  cents  per  bushel  would  not  pay,  but  corn  fed  to  cattle  and 
hog-s  would.  He  soon  formed  the  purpose  of  breeding  a  line  of 
graded  stock  for  the  Eastern  trade  which  would  excel  anything  in  the 
market.  He  bought  the  best  bulls  and  cows  of  his  neighbors,  and  about 
1850  bought  from  Judge  Skinner  of  Mount  Pulaski  a  "Durham"  bull 
which  had  been  brought  from  Kentucky.  This  bull  was  a  blue-roan  of 
the  Patton  stock.  He  raised  the  first  thirteen  roan  calves  from  him 
and  fed  them  to  maturity — the  first  cattle  of  his  own  breeding  and 
raising  he  ever  marketed — and  sold  them  to  James  Jones'  of  Ohio, 
who  drove  them  East,  probably  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  as  that  was  the 
big  cattle  market  at  that  time.  Mr.  Gillett  always  bought  his  bulls 
from  outside  sources.  Whenever  he  saw  a  Short-horn  cow  or  bull 
that  would  come  up  to  his  idea  as  to  what  a  beef  animal  should  be 
he  bought  it.  He  was  in  his  prime  as  a  cattle-breeder  and  shipper 
from  about  1871,  when  he  first  began  to  ship  cattle  to  England  until 
1888,  when  he  died.  His  herd  was  constantly  increasing,  and  while 
unregistered  was  practically  pure  bred.  He  owned  at  his  death  about 
19,000  acres  of  land,  about  1,000  head  of  cows  of  his  own  raising  and 
breeding  and  their  increase  for  two  years,  making  a  herd  of  nearly 
3,000  head.  A  striking  portrait  of  Mr.  Gillett  may  be  seen  in  terra- 
cotta relief  work  at  the  entrance  to  the  Bank  Building  at  the  Chicago 
Union  Stock-Yards — a  deserved  tribute  to  his  prominence  in  the 
Western  cattle  trade. 


754  A    HISTORY    OF    SIIORT-ITOI^X    CATTLE 

olds.  Besides  this  Mr.  Gillett  had  undertaken  to 
carry  over  the  champion  of  the  first  show  in  the 
hope  of  winning  again  at  the  second,  but  he  came 
back  so  rough  and  tallowy  that  he  failed  to  receive 
even  second  prize.  Notwithstanding  this  fact  Nich- 
ols was  returned  to  the  show  of  1880*  arid  again 
received  championship  honors,  tipping  the  scales  at 
the  great  weight  of  2,-465  lbs.  Mr.  Gillett  was  again 
prominent  as  an  exhibitor,  but  as  he  brought  his 
cattle  direct  from  the  pastures  without  special  han- 
dling or  fitting  in  the  modern  sense  of  the  term,  his 
steers  were  faulted  as  lacking  in  show-yard  finish. 

Mr.  John  B.  Sherman  of  the  Chicago  Union  Stock- 
Yards  for  many  reasons  made  a  practice  of  buying 
and  maintaining  in  a  show  barn  at  the  yards  fine 
specimens  of  the  best  show  steers  from  year  to  year, 
and  at  the  exhibition  of  1880  he  presented  at  the 
Fat-Stock  Show  the  monster  Short-horn  Nels  Morris 
at  an  official  weight  of  3,125  lbs.,  which  is,  we  be- 
lieve, the  record  for  weight  at  these  shows.  For 
some  years  a  class  for  heaviest  fat  steers  was  main- 
tained, but  as  it  only  served  to  bring  out  an  aggre- 
gation of  unprofitable  mountains  of  tallow  it  was 
properly  abandoned.  Messrs.  Dodge  of  Ohio  had  a 
pair  of  pure-bred  twin  four-year-old  Short-horn 
steers  at  the  show  of  1882,  weighing  together  5,250 

*Xichols  was  shown  at  the  exhibition  of  1879  as  a  pure-bred  Short- 
horn, but  his  exhibitor  acting  upon  information  alleged  to  have  been 
subsequently  furnished,  presented  him  at  the  show  of  1880  as  a  grade. 
The  steer's  age  was  also  called  in  question  and  a  heated  controversy 
was  waged  in  reference  to  him  during  the  exhibition  of  1880.  There 
was  no  question  as  to  his  outstanding  superiority  or  as  to  his  being 
to  all  intents  and  purposes  a  purely-bred  Short-horn. 


A    DUAL-PURPOSE    BREED  755 

lbs.  The  four-year-old  class  was  dropped  after  the 
show  of  1880. 

Mr.  Gillett  gained  the  championship  in  1881  with 
his  celebrated  red  bullock  McMullen  at  a  weight  of 
2,095  lbs.,  after  a  hotly  contested  fight  with  Miller's 
grade  Hereford  Conqueror.  Morrow  &  Muir  of  Ken- 
tucky exhibited  a  good  load  of  Short-horns  at  this 
show,  and  entries  were  also  made  by  J.  H.  Potts  & 
Son  and  the  Bow  Park  management,  the  latter  ex- 
hibiting the  champion  cow.  Lady  Aberdeen  3d. 

McMullen  came  back  to  the  show  of  1882,  having 
made  a  gain  for  the  year  of  470  lbs.,  and  repeated 
his  championship  winning  of  the  previous  year  at 
a  weight  of  2,565  lbs.  He  was  a  good  type  of  the 
old-fashioned  sort,  possessing  a  table  back  and  enor- 
mous size,  but  standing  rather  high  from  the  ground. 
The  Messrs.  Groff  of  Canada  supplied  a  great  2,400- 
Ib.  steer  at  this  show  called  Canadian  Champion, 
that  had  a  more  even  distribution  of  thick  flesh  than 
McMullen,  and  John  Hope  appeared  from  Bow  Park 
with  his  famous  Bates-bred  white  bullock,  Clarence 
Kirklevington,  as  a  yearling,  weighing  1,620  lbs. 
Messrs.  Potts  had  a  remarkable  steer  in  this  show 
also,  known  as  Eed  Major,  a  well-ripened  bullock 
weighing  1,600  lbs.  at  715  days  old.  The  late  Hon. 
D.  M.  Moninger,  of  Galvin,  la.,  one  of  the  most  noted 
of  the  Trans-Mississippi  feeders  of  his  day,  and  a 
disciple  of  John  D.  Gillett,  exhibited  in  1882  his 
famous  ''Crimson  Herd,"  including  the  good,  thick- 
fleshed,  short-legged  1,945-lb.  steer  Tom  Brown. 


756  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

In  1883  Mr.  C.  M.  Culbertson,  Newman,  111.,  won 
the  championship  with  a  roan  white-faced  steer, 
Roan  Boy,  sired  by  a  Hereford  bull  out  of  a  Short- 
horn cow,  both  factions  claiming  a  full  share  of 
the  honor  of  the  award.  This  was  a  memorable 
show,  the  grade  class  being  jjerhaps  the  largest  ever 
seen  at  this  exhibition,  and  remarkable  for  the  large 
number  of  Herefords  shown  by  Messrs.  Earl  & 
Stuart,  Fowler  &  Van  Natta,  Culbertson,  Seabury  & 
Sample  and  Thomas  Clark.  An  interesting  feature 
of  this  show  was  the  exhibition  by  Geary  Bros,  of 
Canada  of  the  imported  Aberdeen- Angus  three-year- 
old  bullock  Black  Prince.  Another  noted  animal 
was  Fowler  &  Van  Natta 's  Benton's  Champion, 
sired  by  a  Hereford  bull  out  of  a  grade'  Short-horn 
dam.*  Clarence  Kirklevington  was  also  forward  as 
a  two-year-old,  winning  first  in  his  class.  Other  not- 
able entries  were  Imboden's  Short-horn  Scratch, 
Tom  Clark's  Hereford  Tuck,  and  Adams  EarPs 
Hereford  Wabash. 

Eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-four  was  Clarence 
Kirklevington 's  year.  The  lordly  snow-white  bul- 
lock came  forward  that  season  at  a  weight  of  2,400 
lbs.,  and  with  his  beautiful  head,  superb  finish,  great 
scale  and  commanding  show-yard  presence  was  not 
to  be  denied  championship  honors.  After  beating 
down  all  opposition  on  foot  he  finished  his  trium- 


*A  fat-stock  show  was  held  this  year  at  Kansas  City,  at  which 
the  championship  was  gained  by  J.  H.  Potts  &  Son's  Short-horn  grade 
Starlight,  weighing  2,170  lbs.  That  show  was  continued  for  several 
years,  but  was  finally  abandoned  on  account  of  depression  in  the 
Western  cattle  trade. 


A  DUAL-PUKPOSE  BREED  757 

phant  career  by  gaining  the  championship  in  the 
dressed  carcass  contest,  although  this  latter  award 
did  not  escape  severe  criticism.  Another  grand 
Short-horn  steer  at  this  same  show  was  Morrow  & 
Eenick's  Kentucky-bred  roan,  Schooler,  one  of  the 
handsomest  bullocks  ever  seen  at  a  fat-stock  show  in 
this  country.  The  richly-fleshed  grade  Short-horn 
Charley  Ross,  shown  by  Messrs.  Ross  of  Ohio,  de- 
feated at  this  show  a  large  and  excellent  ring  of 
three-year-olds  representing  the  different  breeds.  In 
1885  and  again  in  1886  the  Herefords  bore  away  the 
chief  honors  with  the  grade  Regulus  and  the  pure- 
bred Rudolph  Jr.,  the  former  shown  by  Fowler  & 
Van  ISTatta  and  the  latter  by  George  Morgan.  A  re- 
markably handsome  yearling  pure-bred  Short-horn 
known  as  Cleveland  was  shown  by  Messrs.  Elbert  & 
Fall  of  Albia,  la.,  at  the  show"  of  1885,  winning  the 
yearling  championship.*  Rudolph  Jr.,  the  Here- 
ford, was  the  first  young  steer  of  the  *^pony*'  type 
to  win  a  championship  at  these  shows,  and  it  was 
noticeable  that  the  two-year-olds  of  all  breeds  were 
beginning  to  come  forward  much  stronger  relatively 
than  the  older  cattle.  The  show  was  beginning  to 
bear  fruit.  The  idea  that  cattle  could  be  profitably 
fed  until  four  years  old  was  being  rapidly  ex- 
ploded.! So  practical  and  successful  a  man  as  John 


♦Messrs.  Elbert  &  Fall  were  for  many  years  prominent  breeders  of 
pure-bred  Short-horns,  handling  many  excellent  cattle  and  making  a 
number  of  very  successful  public  sales.  They  became  the  owners  of 
the  Bates-bred  stock  of  Colonel  H.  M.  Vaile  of  Independence.  Mo.,  fa- 
mous for  the  merit  of  the  Waterloos. 

tWe  believe  that  Messrs.  James  N.  Brown's  Sons  of  Sangamon 
County  were  the  first  to  advocate  classes  for  calves  and  yearlings  at 


758  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

D.  Gillett  stated  publicly  that  he  had  abandoned  his 
former  methods  and  was  now  aiming  to  market  cat- 
tle at  about  thirty  months  old. 

At  the  show  of  1887  Short-horns  resumed  their 
winning;  the  championship  being  carried  by  D. 
M.  Moninger's  Doctor  Glick — an  1,885-lb.  two-year- 
old  grade.  The  champion  of  the  class  for  pure-bred 
Short-horns  was  J.  J.  Hill's  three-year-old  Prentice, 
representing  a  cross  of  his  Oxford  bull  upon  one  of 
his  mixed-bred  cows.  Moffat  Bros.,  Paw  Paw,  111., 
had  a  wonderfully  thick  two-year-old  in  this  show — • 
Cruickshank  2d,  sired  by  imp.  Amherst  and  weigh- 
ing 1,705  lbs.  In  1888  the  Aberdeen-Angus  Dot. 
bred  by  Wallace  Estill  and  shown  by  Mr.  Imboden, 
received  chief  honors  of  the  show;  his  closest  com- 
petitor at  the  finish  being  the  two-year-old  Short- 
horn Brant  Chief  from  Bow  Park.  The  Angus 
weighed  1,515  lbs.  at  863  days,  an  average  gain  per 
day  of  1.75.  The  Short-horn  weighed  1,890  lbs.  at 
1,022  days,  an  average  gain  per  day  of  1.85.  One  of 
the  strongest  steers  of  this  show  was  Potts'  Rich- 
mond, and  another  capital  entry  was  Blish  &  Son's 
yearling  Mark,  sired  by  Dick  Taylor  of  Glenwood. 
The  champion  of  the  show  of  1889  was  Elbert  & 
Fall's  grade  two-year-old  Short-horn  Rigdon,  a  son 
of  the  Duchess  bull  2d  Duke  of  Brant,  shown  in 


the  fat-stock  show.  Mr.  William  Brown  of  that  firm,  whose  genial 
personality  and  high  intelligence  have  endeared  him  to  a  wide  circle 
of  friends  and  acquaintances,  usually  represented  the  firm  upon  such- 
occasions,  and  it  must  be  recorded  that  Groove  Park  in  the  early  days 
of  the  fat-stock  show  lived  up  to  the  best  traditions  of  its  earlier  years 
when  it  was  the  primary  source  of  Short-horn  power  in  the  State  or 
Illinois. 


A   DUAL-PUEPOSE   BREED  759 

beautiful  bloom  at  a  weight  of  1,950  lbs.  The  cham- 
pion of  the  Short-horn  class  at  this  show  was  J.  J. 
Hill's  Britisher,  a  sappy,  thick-fleshed  roan,  got  by 
a  bull  that  was  sired  by  imp.  Gambetta  out  of  a 
Cruickshank  Brawith  Bud  cow  sired  by  a  Bates 
Oxford  bull.  Mr.  W.  H.  Eenick,  who  had  been  a 
persistent  and  successful  exhibitor,  showing  cattle 
full  of  the  Eose  of  KSharon  blood,  was  also  well  rep- 
resented in  this  exhibition  by  the  handsome  two- 
year-old  bullocks  Xonesuch  and  Twilight,  that  di- 
vided the  ballots  of  Messrs.  Moberley  and  Gosling 
in  their  class.  At  the  show  of  1890  Nonesuch  came 
back  and  carried  off  the  championship  in  his  three- 
year-old  form  at  a  weight  of  2,090  lbs. 

In  1891  the  three-year-old  class  was  dropped,  so 
general  had  become  the  conviction  that  the  tliree- 
year-olds  should  no  longer  be  encouraged.  The  abo- 
lition of  this  class,  together  with  the  depressing  in- 
fluence of  a  dragging  market  throughout  the  entire 
country  for  pure-bred  cattle,  materially  decreased 
the  size  of  the  show.  The  exhibition,  while  it  had 
been  immensely  popular  with  all  close  students  of 
the  problems  of  profitable  meat  production,  had 
never  been  a  financial  success.  It  had  now  entered 
upon  a  serious  decline,  and,  as  the  large  Exposition 
Building  upon  the  Chicago  Lake  Front,  in  which 
the  shows  had  been  held  from  the  beginning,  was 
about  to  be  torn  down  the  management  abandoned 
the  exhibition  after  the  show  of  1891,  at  vvhich  the 
championship  was  won  by  Mr.  Van  Natta's  two- 


760  A  HISTOKY   OF   SHORT-HOKN   CATTLE 

year-old  Hereford  Hickory  Nut.  The  champion  of 
the  Short-horn  class  at  this  final  show  was  Potts' 
Captain.  The  yearling  championship  of  the  hall 
was  won  by  John  Gosling's  Bob  Cass,  a  three-quar- 
ter-bred Short-horn;  the  calf  championship  falling 
to  Milton  E.  Jones'  Tallmadge,  sired  by  Spartan 
Hero.*  In  the  fall  of  1892,  through  the  efforts  of 
private  individuals,  a  so-called  ''emergency''  show 
was  held  at  the  stock-yards,  at  which  the  champion 
prize  was  awarded  Potts  &  Son's  King.  In  1893  al 
the  Columbian  Show  the  championship  fell  to  Milton 
E.  Jones  of  Williamsville,  111.,  on  the  two-year-old 
Short-horn  Banner  Bearer.  In  1894  the  Illinois 
State  Board  made  one  final  effort,  holding  an  ex- 

*  During  the  palmy  days  of  the  American  fat-stock  show,  when  the 
rivalry  of  the  breeds  was  at  its  height,  the  annual  meetings  of  the 
various  National  associations  of  breeders  were  cliaracterized  by  an 
enthusiasm  which  has  had  no  parallel  in  the  history  of  the  American 
live-stock  trade.  The  old  Grand  Pacific  Hotel  in  Chicago,  under  the 
management  of  the  late  John  B.  Drake  and  Samuel  Parker,  was  the 
favorite  rendezvous  for  a  coterie  of  choice  spirits  whose  lives  were 
devoted  to  the  cattle  trade ;  and  many  an  interesting  "session"  has 
been  held  beneath  the  roof  of  that  famous  old-time  hostelry.  It  was 
the  one  occasion  of  the  entire  year  when  the  wealthy  fanciers,  sub- 
stantial breeders,  the  "field  marshals"  of  the  feeding  fraternity,  and 
in  fact  all  who  were  interested  in  the  fortunes  of  any  of  the  leading 
breeds  came  together  for  an  interchange  of  ideas  and  for  the  indulg- 
ence of  that  spirit  of  camaraderie  that  has  ever  characterized  those 
who  devote  themselves  heart  and  soul  to  the  breeding  and  fitting  of 
the  improved  types  of  domestic  animals.  During  the  day  all  hands 
would  devote  themselves  to  the  excitements  of  the  show  in  progress 
in  the  old  Exposition  Building  on  the  Lake  Front,  or  to  the  auction 
sales  in  progress  at  Dexter  Park.  At  night  around  the  banquet  board, 
or  under  the  mellowing  influences  of  good  company  and  an  occasional 
bottle  there  would  be  a  "feast  of  reason  and  a  flow  of  soul"  that 
lingered  long  in  the  memories  of  those  who  were  privileged  to  enter 
the  charmed  circle.  Those  golden  days  are  gone,  perhaps  never  to 
return.  Many  of  the  leading  spirits  have  passed  away,  but  those  who 
survive  will  never  cease  to  rejoice  that  they  were  permitted  to 
participate  in  the  scenes  which  will  always  cluster  around  their  recol- 
lections of  the  Grand  Pacific. 


A   DUAL-PUEPOSE   BEEED  761 

hibition  at  TattersalPs  in  Chicago,  the  Short-horns 
leaving  off,  as  they  had  begun  in  1878,  by  capturing 
the  championship,  the  award  going  to  J.  H.  Potts  & 
Son^s  Whiskers  of  Milton  E.  Jones'  breeding.  Since 
that  date  America  has  unfortunately  been  without 
a  fat-stock  show.  It  appears  from  the  above  record 
that  the  Short-horns  won  eleven  out  of  the  sixteen 
championships  awarded,  besides  contributing  to  the 
blood  of  two  of  the  grade  Hereford  champions. 

On  the  range. — As  already  stated  it  was  the  blood 
of  Short-horn  bulls  that  laid  the  foundation  for  the 
present  improved  class  of  cattle  coming  from  the 
Western  ranges.  Large  numbers  of  them  had  been 
used  throughout  the  Western  country  before  the 
Hereford s  were  bred  in  the  Western  States,  so  that 
when  the  ^ '  white-faced ' '  bulls  began  going  upon  the 
ranges  the  cow  herds  were  in  many  instances  well 
graded  up  with  Short-hom  blood.  The  Southwest 
has  been  the  great  breeding  ground  of  the  new  West 
and  few  men  are  better  qualified  to  speak  of  the 
manner  in  which  the  great  herds  of  the  Texas  Pan- 
handle have  been  brought  to  their  present  level  than 
Mr.  Charles  Goodnight.  In  a  recent  letter  to  the 
author  Mr.  Goodnight,  who  is  recognized  as  one  of 
the  leaders  in  the  improvement  of  Southwestern 
herds,  says: 

When  I  came  into  the  Panhandle  of  Texas  it  was  an  unsettled 
wild,  being  some  250  miles  to  the  nearest  settlement  toward  the 
East  and  Southeast.  Having  no  communication  with  the  settled 
portion  of  the  State  for  a  number  of  years  I  cannot  advise  you  as 
to  the  date  when  they  commenced  to  breed  Short-horns  in  these 


762  A   HISTORY    OF    SIIORT-HORX    CATJLE 

districts.  I  came  to  the  Panhandle  in  1876  from  Colorado,  bring- 
ing with  me,  among  other  cattle,  about  130  high-grade  and  some 
pure-bred  Short-horns,  or  "Durhams,"  as  we  were  accustomed  to 
call  them.  I  had  bought  in  Kentucky  in  1869  114  head  of  pedi- 
greed Short-horn  bulls  as  calves,  and  used  them  to  great  advan- 
tage. Some  years  later  I  bought  about  300  high-grade  and  pedi- 
greed Short-horns  in  Kansas  and  Missouri,  and  from  this  "plant" 
the  Panhandle  of  Texas  was  largely  "blooded." 

At  a  later  date  these  cattle  and  their  descendants  were 
crossed  by  Herefords,  from  which  cross  sprung  some  of  the  most 
noted  of  existing  Panhandle  herds.  In  this  altitude  and  cli- 
mate the  greatest  success  is  attained  by  this  cross,  and  we  will 
continue  to  so  breed  cattle  in  this  part  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Miirdo  Mackenzie,  manager  for  the  Matador 
Land  and  Cattle  Co.,  one  of  the  largest  "outfits"  in 
the  Panhandle  country,  confirms  Mr.  Goodnight 's 
testimony  as  to  the  partiality  of  Southwestern 
ranchmen  for  a  dip  of  Short-horn  blood.  While 
other  breeds  have  staunch  friends  and  will  undoubt- 
edly continue  to  be  largely  used  in  the  Western 
trade,  Mr.  Mackenzie,  in  common  with  most  other 
unprejudiced  men,  claims  that  the  blood  of  the 
Short-horn  will  ever  remain  a  prime  factor  in  main- 
taining the  size  of  the  Southwestern  stock.  He 
states  that  on  the  occasion  of  a  recent  visit  to  the 
great  X  I  T  range,  the  largest  in  the  world,  the 
property  of  the  Capitol  Syndicate,  he  called  the  at- 
tention of  the  manager  to  the  fact  that  the  Short- 
horn steers  would  average  seventy-five  pounds  heav- 
ier than  those  in  which  other  bloods  predominated, 
which  fact  was  promptly  admitted.  No  man  in  the 
American  cattle  trade  stands  higher  than  Murdo 
Mackenzie,     A  large  buyer  and  user  of  Herefords 


A   DUAL-PURPOSE   BREED 


763 


himself,  Ms  statements  herewith  quoted,  made  in 
the  course  of  a  recent  interview  with  the  author, 
reflect  not  the  partisanship  of  a  Short-horn  breeder, 
but  the  deliberate  judgment  of  one  of  the  best  in- 
formed and  most  intelligent  of  the  present  genera- 
tion of  brainy  cattlemen  operating  on  the  Western 

range. 

Similar  testimony  comes  from  every  nook  and  cor- 
ner of  the  great  grazing  grounds  of  the  Western 
plains  and  mountain  valleys  as  well  as  from  the 
Pacific  Slope.*  In  the  Northwest  Short-horn  blood 
has  been  in  demand  ever  since  neat  cattle  superseded 
the  buffalo.  Conrad  Kohrs,t  Pierre  Wibaux  and 
their  contemporaries  have  spread  the  Short-horn 
colors  everywhere  throughout  the  Northern  range. 
In  the  course  of  a  recent  letter  to  the  author  Mr, 

Wibaux  says: 

I  will  simply  say  this,  that  the  Short-horn  is  the  only  bull  to 
use  in  a  free-grazing  country.  I  bought  my  first  one  in  Kentucky 
in  1883  and  have  been  using  them  ever  since.  Whenever  I  have 
branched  out  with  other  breeds  I  have  been  sorry  for  it,  as  the 
increase  would  then  be  reduced  in  size  or  of  bad  color.  Our  old- 
est herds  in  Montana,  and  the  best  we  ever  had,  were  bred  from 
the  Short-horn. 

*  Pure-bred  Short-horns  were  introduced  into  California  a  great 
manv  vears  ago  and  the  blood  has  been  freely  used  upon  the  immense 
ranches  of  that  State.  One  of  the  most  notable  shipments  ever  sent 
to  the  Coast  was  a  purchase  made  by  John  D.  Carr  from  Col  ^Mlham 
S  King  of  Lvndale.  which  included  among  other  celebrities  the  great 
imported  Cruickshank  cow  Christabel,  by  Champion  of  England. 

t Conrad  Kohrs  made  his  first  large  investment  in  Northwestern 
cattle  in  1866,  when  he  bought  from  "Johnnie"  Grant  a  large  herd 
containing  many  well-bred  Short-horns.  In  1871  he  began  buying 
Short-horn  bulls  on  an  extensive  scale  throughout-  the  corn-belt.  His 
annual  shii5ments  of  beef  cattle  to  Eastern  markets  have  averaged 
about  3,000  head,  and  these,  on  account  of  their  good  breeding,  ha\e 
uniformly   commanded  a  high  price. 


764  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Mr.  Wibaux  ranks  as  one  of  the  *' cattle  kings'* 
of  the  West  and  while  his  testimony  may  sound 
rather  radical  it  serves  to  demonstrate  that  notwith- 
standing the  admitted  value  and  popularity  of  other 
breeds  in  connection  with  Western  ranching  the 
Short-horn  has  a  permanent  hold  in  that  trade  as 
well  as  among  the  farmers,  feeders  and  dairymen  of 
the  older  States. 

Dairy  capacity. — From  the  earliest  periods  the 
breed  has  produced  cows  of  splendid  capacity  at  the 
pail.  One  of  the  first  of  the  English  breeders  to  pay 
special  attention  to  the  dairy  quality  of  his  herd 
was  Jonas  Whitaker,  whose  cows  w^ere  celebrated 
throughout  all  England  for  their  splendid  udders 
and  heavy  flow  of  milk.  Bates  was  always  proud  of 
his  butter  records.  Indeed,  in  the  early  days  there 
was  scarcely  a  herd  of  note  that  did  not  possess  cows 
of  exceptional  capacity  in  this  direction.  Even  at 
Killerby  and  Warlaby,  where  beef  was  the  prime 
consideration,  deep-milking  cows  were  frequently 
developed.  Sir  Charles  Knightley  with  his  Fawsley 
Fillpails  carried  the  reputation  of  the  Short-horn 
as  a  milking  stock  throughout  the  entire  cattle- 
breeding  world. 

The  early  importations  into  New  England  and  the 
East  were  specially  distinguished  in  this  regard ;  the 
descendants  of  such  imported  cows  as  Pansy,  Ara- 
bella, Agatha,  Belina,  the  Princesses  and  many  oth- 
ers furnishing  bountiful  supplies  of  dairy  products. 
Cows  descending  from  the  earlier  Ohio  and  Ken- 


DOWAUER  3D— FlRST-rKlZE   DAIRY    COW   AT  THE    ROYAL   ENGLISH 

SHOWS    OF    1892    AND    1893.      PRODUCED    561    LBS, 

OF   BUTTER    IN   12  MONTHS. 


MOLLY    millici:nt~tiii:     celebrated    ENGLISH    snow    COW. 

BRED   AND    EXHIBITED    BY    ROBT.    THOMPSON,    INGLEWOOD. 

PENRITH. — (Reproduced    from    drawing    in    "London    Live 

Stock    Journal.") 


A   DUAL-PURPOSE   BREED 


765 


tucky  importations,  although  not  handled  to  such 
an  extent  as  were  those  of  the  East,  with  a  view 
toward  dairy  work,  often  gave  much  more  milk  than 
their  lusty  calves  could  possibly  take  care  of.  The 
earlier  volumes  of  the  American  Herd  Book  contain 
many  references  to  remarkable  milk  and  butter  rec- 
ords, and  coming  down  to  recent  times  we  have  the 
official  Columbian  test,  the  records  of  various  State 
fairs  and  agricultural  colleges,  as  well  as  private 
dairies,  to  prove  that  this  valuable  trait  still  exists 
whenever  and  wherever  the  necessary  pains  are 
taken  to  cultivate  it.  This  is  as  tme  to-day  in  the 
old  country  as  it  is  in  the  United  States,  as  is  shown 
by  the  official  records  of  the  London  Dairy  Show  and 
by  the  books  of  the  great  English  dairy  supply  com- 
panies and  of  the  herds  making  a  specialty  of  the 
milking  strains. 

It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  the  milking  habit 
is  one  which  may  lie  dormant  if  neglected  and  which 
is  yet  susceptible  of  cultivation  to  a  remarkable  de- 
gree. At  present  a  large  proportion  of  Short-horn 
breeders  devote  their  attention  rather  to  the  devel- 
opment of  the  feeding  and  fleshing  qualities  of  their 
stock  at  the  expense  of  the  milk-making  proclivities. 
This  is  a  point  which  needs  attention.  It  is  a  well- 
known  fact  that  the  best  milkers,  as  a  rule,  prove 
the  best  mothers,  rear  the  best  calves  and  thus  be- 
come the  most  reliable  sources  of  profit  in  the  herd. 
A  typical  Short-horn  cow  should  require  no  '*  wet- 
nurse^'  for  her  progeny,  and  by  a  judicious  system 


766  A   HISTORY   OF   SIIORT-HORX   CATTLE 

of  selection  and  management  any  good  breeding 
herd  may  become  noted  for  its  milk  as  well  as  for 
its  beef.  In  this  fact  lies  the  chief  glory  of  the 
Short-horn.* 

State  fair  tests. — We  can  conceive  of  no  place 
more  thoroughly  unsuited  for  the  proper  testing  of 
dairy  cows  than  our  American  State  fairs.  Few 
animals  can  be  expected  to  do  themselves  justice 
immediately  after  a  railway  journey,  set  down  in  t]i3 
midst  of  new  and  unfavorable  surroundings  under 
the  uncertain  influences  of  a  change  of  feed  and 
water.  Nevertheless,  various  State  boards  of  agri- 
culture have  offered  prizes  for  short  tests  officially 
conducted  upon  these  occasions,  and  in  proof  of 
what  Short-horns  can  do  even  under  these  condi- 
tions the  following  figures  are  submitted: 

New  York  State  Fair  in  1889,  Fillpail  3d  (Vol.  XXXIV,  page 
933)  in  twenty-four  hours  gave  30i/4  lbs.  of  milk,  from  which  IV2 
lbs.  of  butter  were  made.  At  same  fair  Betsy  7th  (Vol.  XXXV) 
in  twenty-four  hours  gave  19 "4  lbs.  of  milk,  from  which  3  lbs.  and 
1^  oz.  of  butter  was  made.  Fillpail  3d  had  produced  her  calf 
ninety-seven  days  before  and  Betsy  7th  176  days  before. 

Indiana  State  Fair  1889,  Wild  Duchess  of  Oxford  (Vol.  XXXll, 
page  467),  test  from  Sept.  9  to  Sept.  16,  inclusive,  7  lbs.  12  oz.  of 
butter  were  made,  weighed  after  the  second  working  and  free 


*  Space  will  not  admit  of  our  endeavoring  to  collect  and  set  forth 
the  remarkable  milk  and  butter  records  made  by  Short-horn  cows  in 
England.  AVe  are  indebted  to  Prof.  W.  J.  Kennedy  of  the  Illinois 
Agricultural  Experiment  Station  for  the  portrait  of  the  English-bred 
cow  Dowager  3d,  which  is  reproduced  in  this  volume.  This  cow  was 
bred  and  owned  by  Mr.  C.  A.  Pratt,  Rushford,  Evesham,  Eng.,  and 
was  first-prize  winner  at  the  Royal  shows  of  1892  and  1893,  besides 
proving  the  best  dairy  cow  by  actual  test.  Her  milk  record  was  68 
lbs.  in  one  day,  from  which  2  lbs.  10  oz.  of  butter  were  made.  She 
was  a  magnificent  type  of  the  dual-purpose  sort  and  had  a  butter 
record  of  561  lbs.  in  one  year. 


A   DUAL-PURPOSE   BREEfJ  767 

from  buttermilk.  The  test  on  the  fair  grounds  was  twenty-four 
hours,  in  which  time  she  gave  32  lbs.  714  oz.  of  milk. 

Missouri  State  Fair,  same  year,  Red  Rosa  (Vol.  XXVlil,  page 
1007)  in  twenty-four  hours  gave  3  gals.  3  qts.  of  milk  and  8  oz. 
of  butter.  She  took  the  second  prize  in  sweepstakes,  being 
beaten  by  a  Jersey  giving  2  gals.  1  qt.  of  milk,  yielding  8  oz.  of 
butter. 

Illinois  State  Fair  in  1890,  Cora  B.  (Vol.  XXV,  page  650), 
twenty-four  hours  test  gave  2414  lbs.  milk;  total  solids,  3.017. 
Beatitude  gave  21.50  lbs.  of  milk;  total  solids,  2.716. 

Michigan  State  Fair  1890,  Moss  Rose  4th  (Vol.  XXXV,  page 
579),  one  day's  test,  butter  2  lbs.  in  grand  sweepstakes,  there  be- 
ing eight  entries. 

Iowa  State  Fair  1890,  Cora  B.  (Vol.  XXV,  page  650),  twelve 
hours'  test,  25.75  lbs.  milk;  butter-fat,  1.05;  cream  gauge,  11.50 
per  cent.  Valentine  Gwynne  (Vol.  XXXVI)  gave  21^4  lbs.  of 
milk,  butter-fat,  87;   cream  gauge,  10  per  cent. 

Kentucky  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  Association  in  1890, 
Carnation  43d  (Vol.  XXVI,  page  1239)  two-day  test  milking,  one 
held  the  week  before  the  fair  and  the  other  on  the  fair  grounds. 
First  test  was  52  lbs.  and  on  the  fair  grounds  12  qts.  Zendavista 
(Vol.  XXVI,  page  1239),  first  test  48  lbs.,  on  the  fair  grounds  12 
qts.  Heifers  under  three  years  old,  Lakewood  Lady  (Vol. 
XXXVI)  first  test  9  lbs.,  on  the  fair  ground  3%  qts.  Chautauqua 
Belle,  first  test  11  lbs.  and  on  the  fair  ground  5  qts. 

New  York  State  Fair  in  1890,  Kitty  Clay  2d  (Vol.  XXI,  page 
553)  gave  42  lbs.  13  oz.  milk  from  which  1  lb.  11  oz.  of  butter  was 
made,  unsalted.  Constance  of  Brookdale  28th  (Vol.  XXXIII, 
page  596)  gave  42  lbs.  3  oz.  of  milk  and  1  lb.  8  oz.  of  butter  was 
made.  Chautauqua  Belle  36th  gave  23  lbs.  10  oz.  of  milk  from 
which  12  oz.  of  butter  was  made.  Lakewood  Lady  (Vol.  XXXVI) 
gave  11  lbs.  8  oz.,  from  which  8  oz.  of  butter  w^as  made,  the  two 
latter  being  in  the  younger  class. 

Western  Pennsylvania  Agricultural  Association  in  1890,  Dolly 
2d  (Vol.  XXXIV,  page  618),  52  lbs,  15  oz.  of  milk,  lactometer 
test  110  per  cent  above  State  standard.  The  actual  worth  of 
milk  at  $1.50  per  hundred,  79  per  cent.  Actual  worth  of  milk 
$1.16,  cost  of  feed,  twenty-six  days'  test,  40  cents.  Net  gain  in 
two    days'    test,    56    cents.     Bracelet    11th    (XXVII,    page    585), 


68  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 


weight  of  milk,  71  lbs.  13  oz.;  lactometer  test  109  per  cent  above 
State  standard.  Current  worth  of  milk  at  $1.50  per  hundred  was 
$1.07.  Actual  worth  of  milk  at  $1.50  per  hundred,  $1.29;  cost 
of  feed  two-day  test,  74  cents.     Net  gain,  55  cents. 

Nebraska  State  Board  of  Agriculture  in  1890,  5th  Mistletoe 
of  the  Grove  (Vol.  XIX,  page  14718),  two  days  test;  first  day, 
milk,  327-16  lbs.;  butter,  1.46  ibs.;  second  day,  milk,  28  9-16  lbs.; 
butter,  27  lbs.;  total  milk  for  two  days,  61  lbs.;  total  amount  of 
butter  in  two  days,  2.73.  Cora  B.  (Vol.  XXV,  page  650),  first 
day,  milk,  33  lbs.  1  oz.;  butter,  1.17  lbs.;  second  day,  milk,  26 
7-16  lbs.;  butter,  99  lbs.;  total  milk  for  two  days,  59i/o  lbs.;  total 
butter,  2.16. 

California  State  Fair  in  1891,  Cherry  Leaf  (Vol.  XXVII,  page 
363),  in  the  two-day  test,  gave  2.114  lbs.    Mountain  Maid    (Vol. 

XXX,  page  801)   in  same  test  gave  1.13  lbs.  butter. 

Indiana  State  Fair  in  1891,  Addie  (Vol.  XXXVI,  page  839), 
in  the  two-day  test,  gave  1.375  lbs.  butter. 

Kansas  State  Fair  in  1891,  Genevieve  (Vol.  XXXVI,  page  860), 
in  the  two-day  test,  made  2.838  lbs.  butter.  Betsy  4th  (Vol.  XXX, 
page  501),  same  test,  made  2.822  lbs. 

Kentucky  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  Association  in  1891, 
Bridesmaid  (Vol.  XXV,  page  1293),  in  the  two-day  test,  2,656 
lbs.  of  butter  were  made.  Carnation  43d  (Vol.  XXXVI,  page 
1239),  in  the  two-day  test,  2.343  lbs. 

Michigan  State  Fair  in  1891,  Moss  Rose  4th  (Vol.  XXXV,  page 
579),  in  the  two-day  test,  made  3.25  lbs. 

Missouri  State  Fair  in  1891,  Ada  of  Idlewild  (Vol.  XXXIV, 
page  615),  in  the  two-day  test,  made  1.74  lbs. 

New  York  State  Fair  in  1891,  Fillpail  3d  (Vol.  XXXIV,  page 
923),  in  the  two-day  test,  made  3.29  lbs.  Isa  (Vol.  XXXIV,  page 
780),  in  the  two-day  test,  gave  3.05  lbs. 

Nebraska   State    Fair   in    1891,    Lady    Jane    Constance    (Vol. 

XXXI,  page  747),  in  the  two-day  test,  made  2.06  lbs.  Maggie 
Gunter  (Vol.  XXXII,  page  508),  made  2.04  lbs. 

Ohio  State  Fair  in  1891,  Bracelet  11th  (Vol.  XXVII,  page 
585),  in  two  days  gave  3.21  lbs.  butter. 

Western  Pennsylvania  Agricultural  Association  in  1891,  Ver- 
vain (Vol.  XXXIV,  page  825),  in  the  two-day  test,  made  4.2  lbs. 


A  DUAL-PURPOSE   BREED  769 

Dolly  2d  (Vol.  XXXIV,  page  618),  in  the  two-day  test,  gave 
3.857  lbs. 

At  the  Western  Fair  at  Ontario  in  1891,  Matilda  H.  (Vol. 
XXXVII),  in  the  two-day  test,  made  2.131  lbs. 

Wisconsin  State  Fair  in  1891,  Lady  Campbell  (Vol.  XXV, 
page  841),  in  the  two-day  test,  gave  2.4. 

The  Columbian  records. — In  connection  with  the 
live-stock  exhibit  at  the  World's  Columbian  Exposi- 
tion in  Chicago  in  1893  the  most  elaborate  official 
test  of  the  relative  capacities  of  dairy  cows  of  which 
there  is  record  was  held.  It  goes  without  saying 
that  show-yard  surroundings  are  not  conducive  to 
the  best  results  in  performances  of  this  kind.  The 
most  that  can  be  said  for  such  contests  is  that  they 
are  as  fair  for  one  breed  as  another.  The  Colum- 
bian test  covered  milk  and  butter  production  as  well 
as  cheese-making,  and  extended  over  the  period 
from  May  11  to  Oct.  4,  the  cows  being  subject  to 
close  confinement  in  temporary  accommodations  and 
endured  the  mid-summer  heat.  The  American  Jer- 
sey Cattle  Club  appropriated  the  sum  of  $40,000  for 
the  purpose  of  making  the  strongest  possible  presen- 
tation of  the  claims  of  that  famous  Channel  Island 
butter  breed.  Hundreds  of  carefully  conducted  tests 
of  cows  of  that  type  had  been  previously  reported, 
so  that  it  was  comparatively  easy  to  select  cows  of 
known  capacity  to  represent  that  popular  breed 
upon  this  occasion.  The  American  Guernsey  Cattle 
Club  also  made  provision  for  a  choice  collection  of 
tested  cows.  The  Holstein-Friesian  breeders  ex- 
pressed dissatisfaction  with  some  of  the  provisions 
under  which  the  tests  were  to  be  conducted  and  de- 


770  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

clined  to  enter.  The  American  Short-horn  Breed- 
ers' Association,  with  commendable  enterprise,  re- 
solved to  take  advantage  of  the  occasion  to  prove 
that  the  ' '  red,  white  and  roans ' '  would  milk  as  well 
as  make  beef,  and  the  task  of  locating  and  collect- 
ing cows  for  that  purpose  was  entrusted  to  Hon.  H. 
H.  Hinds  of  Stanton,  Mich.  In  spite  of  the  fact  that 
insufficient  data  was  at  hand  for  the  prompt  prose- 
cution of  the  work,  Mr.  Hinds  succeeded  in  obtain- 
ing the  requisite  twenty-five  head,  and  it  was  largely 
due  to  his  efficient  and  unremitting  efforts  that  such 
a  satisfactory  showing  was  made  for  the  Short-horns 
in  the  face  of  the  strongest  opposition  from  the  spe- 
cial dairy  breeds  mentioned.  Bearing  in  mind  the 
fact  that  the  Short-horns  have  been  bred  for  beef 
to  a  far  greater  extent  than  in  the  direction  of  dairy 
performance,  the  comparisons  shown  by  the  sub- 
joined summary  furnish  conclusive  demonstration  of 
the  fact  that  the  breed  possesses  latent  capabilities 
as  dairy  stock,  requiring  only  proper  attention  to 
render  it  an  important  factor  in  the  calculations  of 
general  farmers  and  dairymen : 

In  test  number  one,  for  cheese-making,  extending  from  May 
11  to  May  25,  the  Jersey  herd  stood  first,  the  Gurnseys  second  and 
the  Short-horns  third;  the  award  being  based  on  net  cost  of 
production.  Nevertheless,  the  Short-horns  yielded  12,186.9  lbs.  of 
milk,  from  which  was  made  1,077.6  lbs.  cheese.  The  best  indi- 
vidual record  made  by  any  cow  in  this  test  was  70.92  lbs.  of 
cheese  by  the  Jersey  cow  Ida  Marigold,  produced  at  a  net  profit 
of  $6.97.  The  Short-horn  cow  Nora  made  during  the  same  period 
60.56  lbs.  at  a  net  profit  of  $6.27.  The  best  Guernsey  made  50.05 
at  a  net  profit  of  $5.27. 


KITTY    CLAY    4TH— PRODUCED    1,592.8    LBS.     MILK,     FROM    WHICH 

WAS   MADE   62.24   LBS.    BUTTER.    AND   GAINED   28  LBS.    IN 

WEIGHT    DURING    COLUMBIAN    THIRTY-DAY 

BUTTER   TEST. 


YOUNG    MARY    STEER    SCHOOLER— FIRST-PRIZE    THREE- YEAR-OLD 
AT  AMERICAN  FAT  STOCK  SHOW.   1885. 


A   DUAL-PURPOSE   BREED  771 

Test  number  two,  extending  ninety  days,  from  May  1  to  Aug. 
28,  was  for  butter-making,  loss  or  gain  of  weight  and  cost  of 
maintenance  to  be  considered.  It  was  not  to  be  expected  that 
the  Short-horn  herd  would  be  able  to  surpass  the  performance  of 
the  highly-specialized  butter  breeds  in  such  a  contest,  but  the 
result  demonstrated  for  all  time  the  dual-purpose  character  of 
Short-horn  cattle.  The  Jersey  herd  of  twenty-five  cows  produced 
73,478.8  lbs.  of  milk;  the  Short-horn  herd,  weakened  by  the  loss 
of  two  cows,  produced  66,263.2  lbs.  of  milk,  and  the  twenty-five 
Guernseys  yielded  61,781.7  lbs.  of  milk.  The  Jerseys  were  cred- 
ited with  4,573.95  lbs.  of  butter,  the  Guernseys  with  3,360.43  and 
the  twenty-three  Short-horns  with  2,890.86  lbs.  of  butter.  Dur- 
ing this  same  period  the  Short-horn  cows  put  on  2,826  lbs.  of 
fiesh,  the  Jerseys  776  lbs.  and  the  Guernseys  466  lbs.  The  total 
value  of  product  produced  was  computed  to  be  for  the  Jerseys 
$1,876.67,  for  the  Guernseys  $1,465.46,  and  for  the  Short-horns 
$1,286.78;  the  net  profit  credited  to  the  Jerseys  being  $1,323.81, 
to  the  Guernseys  $997.63  and  to  the  Short-horns  $911.13. 

In  this  test  the  Short-horn  cow  Nora  produced  3,679.8  lbs.  of 
milk,  from  which  was  made  160.57  lbs.  butter,  and  while  doing 
this  she  gained  115  lbs.  in  weight.  The  best  individual  Jersey 
performance  was  by  Brown  Bessie,  that  produced  3,634  lbs.  of 
milk,  from  which  was  made  216.66  lbs.  butter  and  recording  a 
gain  in  live  weight  of  eighty-one  pounds.  The  best  Guernsey,- 
Materna,  produced  3,511.8  lbs.   of  milk,  from  which  was  made 

185.16  lbs.  butter,  the  cow  losing  thirteen  pounds  live  weight. 
Test  number  three  was  for  butter  production  only  and  ex- 
tended thirty  days,  from  Aug.  29  to  Sept.  27.     In  this  contest 
the  Jersey  herd  was  credited  with  837.21  lbs.  butter  from  13,921.9 
lbs.  milk,  at  a  net  profit  of  $274.34.     The  Guernseys  produced 

724.17  lbs.  butter  from  13,518.4  lbs.  milk  at  a  net  profit  of  $237, 
and  the  Shorthorns  produced  662.66  lbs.  butter  from  15,618.3 
lbs.  milk,  at  a  net  profit  of  $119.13.  In  this  test  the  best  Jersey 
cow,  Brown  Bessie,  produced  1,134.6  lbs.  milk  from  which  was 
made  72.32  lbs.  butter,  and  gained  seven  pounds  live  weight, 
showing  a  net  profit  of  $24.69.  The  best  Guernsey  cow.  Purity, 
produced  1,012.2  lbs.  milk  from  which  was  made  54.8  lbs.  but- 
ter, and  gained  fourteen  pounds  live  weight,  showing  a  net  profit 
of  $19.37.     The  best  Short-horn  cow,  Kittie  Clay  4th,  produced 


772  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

1,592.8  lbs.  milk,  from  which  was  made  62.24  lbs.  butter,  and 
gained  twenty-eight  pounds  in  weight,  showing  a  net  profit  of 
$19.57.* 

Test  number  four  was  for  heifers  under  three  years  old  for 
butter  making,  loss  and  gain  of  weight  and  cost  of  maintenance 
considered,  extending  from  Sept,  28  to  Oct.  4.  In  this  the  Guern- 
seys did  not  compete.  The  seven  Jersey  heifers  gave  3,356.6 
lbs.  milk,  producing  194.22  lbs.  butter  at  a  net  profit  of  $56.27, 
gaining  150  lbs.  live  weight.  The  six  Short-horn  heifers  gave 
2,581  lbs.  milk;  producing  122.36  lbs.  butter,  at  a  net  profit  of 
$47.42;  gaining  384  lbs.  live  weight.  In  this  test  the  best  Jer- 
sey heifer  made  37.48  lbs.  butter  and  gained  19  lbs.  in  weight, 
showing  a  net  profit  of  $11.22.  The  Short-horn  heifer.  Miss 
Renick  24th,  produced  26.85  lbs.  butter,  gained  in  live  weight  78 
lbs.   (nearly  4  lbs.  per  day)  at  a  net  profit  of  $10.97. 

In   tests   where   gain   in   live   weight  was   credited   the   price 


*One  of  the  cows  died  early  in  the  test,  so  that  but  twenty-four 
head  were  really  available.  The  list  (airanged  in  the  order  in  which 
they  ranked  at  the  conclusion  of  the  ninety-day  butter  test)  was  as 
follows : 

Nora   (Vol.  39),  bred  bv  D.  Sheehan  &  Sons,  Iowa. 

Genevieve   (Vol.  36,  p.  860),  bred  by  W.  W.  Waltmire,  Kansas. 

Waterloo  Daisy   (Dominion  Plerd  Book),  bred  by  D.  Reed,  Ontario. 

Betsy  7th    (Vol.   35,  p.   925),  bred  by  S.   Spencer  &  Son,  New  York. 

Bashful  2d   (Vol.  35,  p.  380),  bred  by  William  Duthie,  Scotland. 

Plumwood  Bell  2d    (Vol.  32,  p.   641),  bred  by  C.  Hintz,  Ohio. 
.      Fair  Maid  of  Hullett  2d   (Vol.  39),  bred  by  WilHam  Grainger,  On- 
tario. 

Emma  Abbott  3d   (Vol.  39),  bred  by  I.  U.  Wetmore,  Illinois. 

Belle  Prince  2d   (Vol.  30,  p.   492),  bred  by  C.  M.  Clark,  Wisconsin. 

Rosa   (Vol.   36,  p.   714),  bred  by  J.  W.   Stewart,  Pennsylvania. 

Azalia   (Vol.   37,  p.  7  41),  bred  by  A.  Morse,  New  York. 

Lady  Bright  (Dominion  Herd  Book),  bred  by  J.  G.  Wright,  Ontario. 

Kitty  Clay  7th  (Vol.  38,  p.  671),  bred  by  Joseph  Garfield,  New  York. 

Marchioness  6th  (Dominion  Herd  Book),  bred  by  Ballantine  &  Son, 
Ontario. 

Lucy  Ann   (Vol.  35,  p.  925),  bred  by  H.  H.  Jones.  New  .York. 

Maude's  Antartic   (Vol.  30,  p.  793),  bred  by  W.  W.  Brim,  Ohio. 

Maid  of  Oxford  3d   (Vol.  32,  p.  790),  bred  by  A.  Morse. 

Iza    (Vol.   34,  p.    780),  bred  by  A.   Morse. 

Fancy  11th   (Vol.  39),  bred  by  J.  C.  Thornton  &  Son,  Pennsylvania. 

Royal  Duchess  (Dominion  Herd  Book),  bred  by  D.  Marlatt,  Ontario. 

Orange  Girl    (Vol.  37,  p.  713),  bred  by  E.  B.  Merriweather  &  Son, 
Illinois. 

Butterfly  3d,    (Vol.   30,  p.   497),  bred  by  Hon.  Emory  Cobb,  Illinois, 

Maid  of  Oxford  2d    (Vol.   31,  p,  812),  bred  by  A.   Morse. 

Fillpail  9th  (Vol.  37,  p.  872),  bred  by  S.  Spencer  &  Son. 

In  the  thirty-day  butter  test  the  privilege  of  bringing  in  other  cows 
was  granted,  and  Kitty  Clays  3d  and  4th,  from  the  herd  of  Mr.  K. 
Innes,  Granville  Center,  Pa.,  materially  strengthened  the  Short-horn 
forces.  From  the  Spencer  herd  came  Kitty  Clay  5th,  so  that  this 
family  had  more  representatives  in  the  test  than  any  other. 


A   DUAL-PURPOSE   BREED  773 

per  pound  was  made  uniform  in  each  case,  although  it  need 
scarcely  be  pointed  out  that  the  Short-horn  beef  represented  by 
this  gain  would  have  commanded  more  per  pound  in  the  market 
than  that  of  their  competitors.  It  is  of  interest  to  note  that  in 
tests  numbers  two,  three  and  four  the  three  best  Short-horn 
cows,  Nora,  Kittie  Clay  4th  and  Miss  Renick  24th,  produced  5,861 
lbs.  of  milk,  against  5,330  lbs.  of  milk  from  the  best  three  Jer- 
seys in  same  tests. 

The  Wisconsin  experiment.— The  Wisconsin  Agri- 
cultural Experiment  Station  has  undertaken  a  study 
of  the  relative  capacity  of  cows  representing  the 
special  dairy  type  and  those  of  the  dual-purpose 
character.  TheHon.  W.  D.  Hoard,  H.  C.  Taylor  and 
C.  P.  Goodrich,  than  whom  there  are  probably  no 
better  judges  of  special  dairy  stock,  each  selected 
a  grade  Jersey  for  this  test.  Six  grade  Short-horns, 
a  like  number  of  grade  Guernseys  and  three  more 
grade  Jerseys  were  bought  by  Prof.  W.  L.  Carlyle, 
whose  object  in  making  the  test  is  set  forth  in  the 
following  language : 

It  has  been  generally  admitted  by  those  with  experience  on 
the  subject  that  under  present  conditions  it  will  never  be  profit- 
able for  the  farmers  of  Wisconsin  to  engage  to  any  great  extent 
in  rearing  a  class  of  "beefing"  cattle,  the  cows  of  which  give  only 
suflJicient  milk  to  rear  their  young.  The  great  cattle  ranges  of 
the  West  are  too  near,  and  the  competition  too  unequal  to  per- 
mit of  our  farmers  embarking  in  exclusive  beef  raising  to  any 
great  extent.  On  the  other  hand,  the  majority  of  our  farmers 
are  apparently  not  desirous  of  keeping  the  so-called  special-pur- 
pose dairy  cattle.  They  would  like  to  keep  a  class  of  cattle,  if 
such  could  be  obtained,  that  would  give  a  sufficiently  large  quan- 
tity of  milk  and  butter-fat  to  return  a  fair  profit  on  the  feed  and 
care  given  them,  and  at  the  same  time  produce  steers  that  would 
feed  well  for  beef. 

The  first  year's  work  with  this  set  of  cows  closed 


774  A  HISTOEY   OF   SHOET-HOEN   CATTLE 

with  the  grade  Short-horn  Eose  established  as  the 
greatest  producer  in  the  herd ;  returning  the  greatest 
profit  over  cost  of  feed,  although  milked  only  326 
days  out  of  the  365.  During  that  time  she  produced 
10,163  lbs.  of  milk,  containing  433.82  lbs.  of  butter- 
fat,  the  equivalent  of  506.12  lbs.  of  butter.  The 
and  skim-milk  produced  was  $114.92,  leaving  a  profit 
4.2  per  cent.  The  total  feed  consumed  during  the 
entire  year  cost  $35.06.  The  total  value  of  the  butter 
and  skim-milk  produced  was  $114.92,  leaving  a  profit 
over  cost  of  feed  of  $79.86.  Her  butter,  produced  at 
a  cost  of  6.9  cents,  was  made  more  economically 
than  that  from  any  special-purpose  cow  in  the  herd. 
The  second  best  result  was  obtained  from  one  of  the 
Guernsey  grades,  showing  a  profit  of  $68.04,  but  the 
third  best  record  in  the  herd  was  made  by  the  grade 
Short-horn  cow  Duchess,  that  produced  439.83  lbs.  of 
butter  at  a  net  profit  of  $67.07.  Speaking  of  this 
first  year's  experiment  Prof.  Carlyle  says: 

It  must  be  admitted  that  the  results  of  this  year's  work  were 
a  great  surprise,  for  while  it  was  thought  that  the  large  and 
strong  Short-horn  grades  representing  the  dual-purpose  type, 
would  return  a  fair  profit  on  the  feed  consumed,  it  was  not  even 
surmised  that  they  would  equal  their  much  more  finely  organ- 
ized and  smaller  sisters — the  Jersey  and  Guernsey  grades — in 
cheapness  of  butter  production.  This  yearly  record  is  given  as 
a  preliminary  work,  and  is  not  to  be  considered  as  at  all  con- 
clusive and  yet  when  five  such  Short-horn  grade  cows  as  are  here 
reported  can  be  picked  up  in  a  single  day,  as  was  the  case  with 
these,  it  would  seem  as  if  that  class  of  cows  must  have  a  great 
deal  of  dairy  value. 

This  Wisconsin  test,  which  is  developing  many 
surprises  for  those  who  have  so  strenuously  denied 


COLLEGE    MOORE— rnOnUCED   419   LBS.    OF    BUTTKIi    1 X    12    :\IOXTIIS. 


COLLEGE    BELLE    2D— PRODUCED    355.1    LBS.    BUTTER    IN    12 
MONTHS. 


DUAL-PURPOSE  COWS  AT  IOWA  AGRICULTURAL  COLLEGE. 


A   DUAL-PURPOSE   BREED  775 

the  existence  of  a  profitable  dual-purpose  cow  is  still 
in  progress,  and  we  have  it  on  the  best  authority 
that  the  data  which  will  be  forthcoming  in  the  re- 
port of  the  second  yearns  experiment  will  be  even 
more  interesting  to  the  breeders  of  Short-horns  than 
that  from  which  we  have  quoted  above. 

Official  records  in  Iowa. — The  proofs  being  sup- 
plied at  the  Wisconsin  Station  are  well  supplement- 
ed by  late  figures  from  the  Iowa  Agricultural  Ex- 
periment Station  at  Ames,  where  special  attention  is 
also  being  given  to  the  subject  of  the  dairy  capacity 
of  Short-horn  cows.  Director  C.  F.  Curtiss  has  fur- 
nished us  with  photographs  of  the  two  cows  College 
Moore  and  College  Belle  2d  (illustrated  in  this  vol- 
ume), both  descending  in  the  maternal  line  from 
imp.  Young  Mary.  College  Belle  2d  has  produced 
7,554  lbs.  of  milk  in  ten  months,  with  an  average  of 
4.3  per  cent  fat,  from  which  was  produced  355.1  lbs. 
butter;  the  net  profit  (not  including  her  calf)  being 
$41.42.  The  roan  College  Moore  has  produced  8,734.5 
lbs.  milk  in  twelve  months,  showing  an  average  test 
of  4.02  per  cent  fat,  with  a  butter  production  of  409 
lbs.,  yielding  a  net  profit,  not  including  calf,  of 
$37.57.  These  and  other  of  the  Iowa  College  cows 
are  producing  and  rearing  some  very  fine  calves 
sired  by  the  Scotch  bull  Courtier  125603,  bred  by  C. 
C.  Norton,  Corning,  la.,  and  sired  by  Prince  Bishop 
67273  out  of  a  Sweet  Charit}^  4th  by  imp.  Salamis 
110075.  Prof.  Curtiss  of  this  station,  who  ranks  as 
one  of  the  best  all-around  judges  of  live  stock  in  the 


776  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORX   CATTLE 

West  at  the  present  time,  personally  selected  in 
Scotland  during  the  summer  of  1899,  at  Mr.  Du- 
thie's,  the  valuable  young  bull  Scotland's  Crown, 
recently  added  to  the  college  herd.  He  states  that 
some  of  the  younger  cows  in  the  herd  bid  fair  to 
excel  the  performances  of  the  two  above  mentioned. 
Figures  from  New  York. — The  thirteenth  annual 
report  of  the  New  York  Agricultural  Experiment 
Station  for  the  year  1894  contains  an  interesting  ac- 
count of  similar  experiments  at  Geneva.  Seven  dif- 
ferent breeds  were  represented,  and  although  there 
was  but  one  Short-horn  cow  in  the  herd  (Spencer's 
Betsy  10th),  yet  when  pitted  against  special  dairy 
breeds  she  gave  a  good  account  of  herself,  as  appears 
from  the  subjoined  summary: 

The  Short-horn  stood  at  the  head  of  the  list  in  the  matter  of 
relative  cost  of  milk  solids  obtained,  and  stood  second  in  the 
computation  showing  relative  actual  profit  from  milk.  She  was 
third  in  relative  amount  of  milk  produced. 

In  butter  production  the  Short-horn  ranked  third  with  a  total 
of  305.1  lbs.;  the  highest  yield  being  325.6  from  the  Guernseys.* 

The  Short-horn  cow  was  fourth  in  rank  in  the  matter  of  the 
amount  of  butter  obtained  from  each  100  lbs.  of  milk;  the  figure 
in  her  case  standing  at  5.04  as  against  6.4  from  the  Jerseys. 

From  the  Short-horn's  milk  an  average  of  1  lb.  of  butter 
was  made  from  each  19.84  lbs.,  as  against  24.7  required  in  the 
case  of  the  Ayrshires  and  26.6  lbs.  in  the  case  of  the  Holstein- 
Friesians. 

The  Short-horn  was  third  in  the  matter  of  the  average  cost 


*In  his  valuable  work,  "American  Dairying,"  published  by  the 
Sanders  Publishing  Company,  Mr.  H.  B.  Gurler.'DeKalb,  111.,  gives  the 
average  annual  butter  production  of  the  16,500,000  cows  in  the  United 
States  at  130  lbs.  Dairy  cows  to  show  profit  must  produce  upward 
of  200  lbs.  butter  per  year.  I'pon  this  basis  it  will  be  observed  that 
this  New  York,  as  well  as  other  official  tests,  prove  the  Shoi-t-horn's 
right  to  be  classed  among  those  that  can  be  profitably  handled  for 
dairy  purposes. 


A   DUAL-PUEPOSE   BREED 


777 


of  milk  fat  per  pound  produced;  this  expense  being  in  the  case 
of  the  Jerseys  16.12  cents,  Guernseys  16.14  cents,  Short-horn  16.18 
cents;  the  other  breeds  ranging  from  19.06  to  20.47  cents. 

The  average  cost  per  pound  of  the  Short-horn  butter  was  15.15 
as  against  14.11  for  the  Jerseys  and  14.15  for  the  Guernseys;  the 
Short-horn  ranking  third. 

In  the  matter  of  the  average  profit  derived  per  cow  from  sell- 
ing butter  the  Short-horn  was  again  third,  with  a  credit  of  $30.06 
for  one  period  of  lactation;  figures  for  other  breeds  ranging  from 
$14.58  to  $35.25. 

In  the  amount  of  cream  produced  the  Short-horn  was  third, 
with  1,345  lbs.  from  one  period  of  lactation;  the  range  of  all  the 
breeds' being  from  916.5  for  the  lowest  to  1,427.5  for  the  highest. 
In  the  item  of  average  cost  of  cream  per  quart  the  Short-horn 
stood  next  to  the  Jerseys  and  Guernseys;  also  ranking  third  in 
the  average  money  value  of  cream  produced. 

In  cheese  production  the  Short-horn  ranked  first  in  the  item  of 
profit,  showing  the  lowest  relative  cost  of  production  per  pound. 

It  was  claimed  tliat  the  Sliort-liorn  was  producing 
a  calf  each  year  worth  $5  more  than  that  from  any- 
other  cow  in  the  test. 

The  milking  Short-horn  is  in  evidence  in  nearly 
every  Northern  State.  Hundreds  of  private  tests 
might  be  presented  in  substantiation  of  that  state- 
ment: but  the  following  will  serve  as  fair  illustra- 
tions of  the  results  being  obtained  by  practical  farm- 
ers and  dairymen: 

Mrs.  Flora  V.  Spencer,  formerly  of  New  York  but  now  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, whose  herd  supplied  more  cows  for  the  Columbian  dairy  test 
than  came  from  any  other  one  source,  furnishes  the  following  record 
of  Short-horn  cows  which  she  has  owned: 

Kittie  Clyde  (Vol.  13),  13200  lbs.  milk  in  eight  months;  650  lbs. 
of  milk  in  ten  days,  from  which  was  made  33  lbs.  of  butter.  Her 
dam  Fillpail,  gave  60  lbs.  of  milk  per  day.  Kittie  Clay  2d  produced 
69  lbs.  of  milk  in  one  day.  Cherry  11th  produced  61  lbs.  of  milk  per 
day. 

Lucy  Ann  (Vol  35)  gave  8,948 Vj  lbs.  of  milk  in  forty-seven 
weeks,  'from  which  was  made   425.14  lbs.   butter.     In  seven  days  she 


778  A   HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HOEN   CATTLE 

gave  280  lbs.  8  oz.  of  milk,  which  produced  13,32  lbs.  butter.    Betsey 
8th  (Vol.  37)  made  14.72  lbs.  butter  in  seven  days. 

Fillpail  16th,  with  her  first  calf,  gave  in  a  year  6,056  lbs.  8  oz.  of 
milk,  from  which  was  made  305.07  lbs.  of  butter.  Mrs.  Spencer  states 
that  for  seven  years  she  has  not  had  a  matured  cow  with  a  smaller 
record  than  39yo  lbs.  milk  per  day,  and  the  herd  for  three  years  av- 
eraged 4  per  cent  butter-fat  by  the  Babcock  test.  The  cow  Betsey  of 
this  herd  made  a  pound  of  cheese  in  the  Columbia  dairy  test  cheaper 
than  any  other  cow  of  any  breed. 


Mr.  J.  K.  Innes,  the  enterprising  proprietor  of  Glenside  Farm, 
Granville  Center,  Pa.,  owner  of  the  famous  Columbian  test  cow 
Kitty  Clay  4th,  supplies  the  following: 

Luvia  Clay,  a  daughter  of  Kittle  Clay  3d,  gave  from  May  19,  1895, 
to  April  6,  1896,  7,278.8  lbs.  milk,  which  made  337  lbs.  butter.  This 
was  with  her  first  calf.  The  next  season  she  gave  in  seven  days  30.8 
lbs.  of  milk,  which  made  13.85  lbs.  butter. 

Mamie  Clay,  daughter  of  Kittie  Clay  4th,  gave  from  June  1  to 
June  30,  1898,  1,175  lbs.  milk,  that  carried  an  average  of  3.9  per  cent 
butter-fat,  after  having  been  in  milk  something  over  four  months. 

Nancy  Lee  gave  during  the  month  of  June,  1898,  1,230  lbs.  milk  that 
tested  an  average  of  4  per  cent  butter-fat,  having  been  in  milk  since 
Feb.   27,  1898. 

Kittie  Clover,  a  daughter  of  Kittie  Clay  4th,  gave  during  seven 
days  in  1897,  266.7  lbs.  milk,  carrying  an  average  of  4.1  per  cent 
better-fat.     This  was  in  her  three-year-old  form. 

Margaretta  Clay,  granddaughter  of  Kittie  Clay  3d,  gave  in  thirty 
days  746  lbs.  milk  that  tested  an  average  of  4.2  per  cent.  This  was 
with  her  first  calf,  and  she  had  been  in  milk  more  than  ten  months, 
calving  about  eight  weeks  after  the  test  was  made. 

Betsy  8th  gave  during  the  month  of  June,  1899,  1,429  lbs.  milk, 
with  an  average  test  of  3.7  per  cent,  having  been  in  milk  since 
March  20.  Mayflower,  a  daughter  of  Roan  Clay  4th,  has  given  this 
year  in  fourteen  days  610.3  lbs.  milk,  with  an  average  of  4  per  cent 
butter-fat.  Kittie  Sweet  produced  in  fourteen  days  420.8  lbs.  milk, 
testing  3.9  per  cent  butter-fat.  This  in  her  two-year-old  form  with 
first  calf. 

Superintendent  May  of  Glenside  says :  "These  tests  were  made 
without  any  special  preparation,  the  cows  receiving  the  usual  care 
and  feed  given  the  entire  herd.  We  are  now  weighing  the  product 
and  testing  every  cow  in  the  herd  for  an  entire  year,  so  that  we  shall 
soon  have  some  twelve  months'  records  to  present." 


John  Armstrong  of  Kingsbury  Co.,  S.  D.,  reports  that  in  1898  his 
sixteen  grade  Short-horn  cows  averaged  6,000  lbs,  of  milk,  from  which 
was  made  an  average  of  301  lbs.  5  cz.  of  butter.  Counting  stock  sold 
and  pork  produced  on  skim-milk  the  net  income  per  cow  was  $62.50. 
For  1899  the  same  number  of  cows  produced  101,477  lbs.  milk,  which 


A  DUAL-PUEPOSE  BREED  779 

yielded  5,077  lbs.  of  butter,  an  average  of  6,342  lbs.  of  milk  and  317 
lbs.  5  oz.  of  butter  per  cow.  He  figures  that  these  cows  made  him 
during  the  twelve  months   $76.4  7   net. 


C.  M.  Clark  of  Walworth  Co.,  Wis.,  reports  that  during  the  month 
of  December,  1898,  his  thirteen  Short-horn  cows  and  eight  two  and 
three-year-old  heifers  produced  14,218  lbs.  of  milk  ;  making  an  aver- 
age of  331/^  lbs.  butter  per  head  for  the  month,  which,  for  a  winter 
production,  indicates  profitable  dairy  capacity.  The  best  of  the  bull 
calves  raised  by  such  cows  are  sold  at  good  prices  for  breeding  pur- 
poses. The  poorer  ones  are  steered,  and  Mr.  Clark  reports  that  his 
last  lot  of  bullocks  averaged  1,200  lbs.  at  about  twenty-four  months 
old,  and  are  worth  six  cents  per  pound.  Mr.  Clark's  cattle  descend 
mainly  from  the  Bates  tribes,  although  he  has  recently  been  using  a 
Scotch-topped  Rose  of  Sharon  bull. 

Polled  Durhams.— The  recent  establishment  in 
the  West  of  the  type  of  cattle  known  as  ''Polled 
Durhams''  is  a  matter  of  interest  to  all  breeders  of 
Short-horns.  There  are  two  varieties  of  Polled  Dur- 
hams—one  of  pure  Short-horn  descent  and  the  other 
tracing  to  the  native  ''muley"  cows  of  the  country 
crossed  originally  with  registered  Short-horn  bulls. 
The  pure-bred  Short-horns  that  have  had  the  polled 
characteristic  sufficiently  established  to  admit  them 
to  the  Polled  Durham  Herd  Book  are  classed  as 
''double-standard"  cattle,  being  eligible  to  both  the 
Short-horn  and  Polled  Durham  registries.  A  large 
proportion  of  these  descend  from  the  Gwynne  cow 
Oakwood  Gwynne  4th,  the  Young  Phyllis  cow  Mary 
Louden  and  the  White  Rose  bull  Young  Hamilton 
114169.  Oakwood  Gwynne  4th  had  loose  horns  or 
"scurs,"  and  when  bred  to  the  7th  Duke  of  Hillhurst 
34221  dropped  a  pair  of  hornless  roan  heifer  calves 
known  as  Nellie  Gwynne  and  Mollie  Gwynne.  (See 
Vol.  XXXIII,  page  728.)    Bred  to  Bright  Eyes  Duke 


780  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLB 

8th  31894  slie  dropped  the  hornless  red  bull  King  of 
Kine  87412.  The  twin  heifers  were  bred  by  C.  McC. 
Eeeve  and  the  hornless  bull  by  W.  W.  McNair,  both 
of  Minneapolis,  Minn.  Mr.  W.  S.  Miller  of  Ohio,  who 
had  been  endeavoring  to  develop  a  type  of  polled 
cattle  showing  Short-horn  characteristics,  bought 
these  Gwynnes  and  made  use  of  them  in  his  breed- 
ing operations.  The  bull  Young  Hamilton  above 
mentioned,  that  won  the  championship  over  all  bulls 
competing  in  the  *' general-purpose''  class  at  the  Co- 
lumbian Exposition,  possessed  great  scale  and  his 
blood  has  been  freely  used. 

Some  of  the  leading  Polled  Durham  breeders  are 
now  crossing  their  cows  with  well-bred  Scotch 
Short-horn  bulls.  As  a  rule  stock  of  this  type  pos- 
sesses good  size,  and  the  cows  are  often  heavy  milk- 
ers. They  represent  the  dual-purpose  idea,  and  the 
absence  of  horns  is  counted  a  distinct  advantage. 
That  the  breed  owes  its  merit  wholly  to  the  Short- 
horn is  freely  admitted,  and  its  success  simply  con- 
stitutes another  tribute  to  the  efficacy  of  that  blood. 
The  Polled  Durham  breeders  have  maintained  a  Na- 
tional organization  since  1889.  Under  the  presi- 
dency of  Dr.  William  W.  Crane,  Tippecanoe  City,  0., 
this  has  developed  into  an  influential  association. 
Its  Secretary,  Mr.  J.  H.  Miller,  Peru,  Ind.,  is  one  of 
the  most  enthusiastic  supporters  of  Polled  Durham 
claims,  and  has  made  sales  for  export  to  South 
America. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 
THE  LAMP  OF  EXPERIENCE 

We  have  now  traced  the  growth  of  the  breed  from 
an  humble  beginning  in  ancient  Northumbria  to  a 
place  of  imperial  power  in  the  cattle  trade  of  the 
civilized  world.  For  nearly  a  century  it  has  existed 
as  an  improved  and  well-established  type.  During 
that  time  it  has  felt  the  impress  of  men  of  undoubted 
genius  and  intellectual  force.  It  has  also  endured 
the  blundering  of  those  who  had  ability  only  as  de- 
stroyers of  what  others  had  created.  Two  opposing 
forces  are  constantly  at  work.  The  one  constructive, 
the  other  subversive  of  all  progress;  the  one  ani- 
mated by  a  lofty  ambition  to  accomplish  something 
for  the  uplifting  of  the  breed,  the  other  moved  only 
by  sordid  consideration  of  present  profit. 

At  the  outset  every  man  w^ho  enters  the  fraternity 
that  boasts  so  many  illustrious  names  should  ponder 
well  the  real  meaning  of  the  word  breeder  and  en- 
deavor to  equip  himself  thoroughly  for  the  intelli- 
gent manipulation  of  the  plastic  material  with  which 
he  proposes  to  work.  Is  he  to  make  an  honest  effort 
to  emulate  the  example  of  the  master  builders  of 
the  breed,  or  is  he  to  drift  aimlessly  upon  the  tide 
of  some  passing  fashion,  content  to  be  a  mere  ped- 
dler of  pedigrees?  Is  Short-horn  breeding  a  busi- 
ness worthy  of  the  best  efforts  of  intelligent  men,  or 

781 


782  A  HISTORY  OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

is  it  simply  a  traffic  in  herd-book  certificates?  Is 
there  inspiration  and  a  love  for  original  creative 
work  to  be  found  in  the  great  achievements  of  the 
past,  or  are  there  only  chains  and  shackles  for  those 
who  engage  in  the  trade  in  this  day  and  generation! 
The  closing  century  is  not  without  its  lessons  bear- 
ing upon  these  and  kindred  considerations,  and  a 
few  plainly  stated  deductions  from  the  experiences 
of  those  who  have  gone  before  may  be  found  helpful 
in  examining  the  duties,  responsibilities  and  privi- 
leges of  those  who  have  the  future  of  the  Short-horn 
in  their  keeping. 

What  constitutes  success? — It  might  appear  at 
first  blush  that  the  auction  block  is  the  one  crucial 
test  of  success,  but  this  is  true  only  when  averages 
for  a  long  series  of  years  are  considered.  The  oper- 
ations of  powerful  vested  financial  interests  occa- 
sionally rule  the  market  without  special  reference 
to  intrinsic  values.  Again  many  a  splendid  animal, 
many  a  grand  herd  has  failed  to  meet  with  adequate 
appreciation  because  of  lack  of  entei^prise  on  the 
part  of  the  owner,  or  through  the  machinations  of 
those  little  souls  who  are  either  jealous  of  a  con- 
temporary's success,  or  interested  from  selfish  mo- 
tives in  decrying  the  blood  which  his  neighbor  has 
used.  The  Short-horn  trade  has  suffered  incal- 
culable damage  from  individuals  whose  devotion  to 
purely  commercial  considerations  was  greater  than 
their  love  for  good  Short-horns.  Frequently  they 
knew  little  and  cared  less  about  the  individual  merit 


THE    LAMP    OF    EXPERIENCE  783 

of  the  breed.    A  man  possesses  certain  blood  which 
he  insists  is  "bluer"  than  that  flowing  in  the  veins 
of  other  Short-horns,  and  even  while  loudest  in  his 
claims  of  superiority  it  often  happens  that  the  un- 
fortunate animals  in  such  mercenary  hands  are  de- 
scending to  the  lowest  levels  of  mediocrity  from 
sheer  neglect  of  the  first  principles  of  good  breeding 
and  management.    Some  years  ago  a  few  misguided 
individuals  undertook  to  "run  a  corner"  on  such 
representatives  as  were  then  in  existence  of  certain 
so-called  "pure"  tribes.    They  made  a  pretense  of 
insisting  that  these  few  animals  were  the  real  "salt" 
of  the  Short-horn  earth,  and,  as  such,  valuable  be- 
yond compare.    It  mattered  not  that  the  originator 
of  those  very  families  had  himself  inbred  his  stock 
to  the  limit  of  safety  before  he  died,  and  that  he 
would  doubtless  have  been  the  first  to  protest  against 
the  absurdity  of  the  present  procedure.    Neverthe- 
less, people  interested  themselves  in  the  project  as  a 
speculation.    One  Western  operator  collected  all  of 
these  "absolutelys"  he  could  secure;  the  result  of 
the  venture  being  that  within  two  years  he  was 
forced  to  destroy  the  calves  as  fast  as  the  wretched 
degenerates  came  into  the  world,  and  the  sires  and 
dams,  with  constitutions  ruined  beyond  repair,  soon 
followed    their   progeny    to    the    shambles.      It   is 
scarcely  necessary  to  say  that  such  an  undertaking 
considered  as  a  proposition  in  scientific  breeding 
was  fore-doomed  to  failure,  and  yet  in  the  face  of 
this  and  other  examples  of  the  impossibility  of  main- 


784  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

taining  inbred  strains  indefinitely,  without  admix- 
ture of  other  blood,  men  are  still  found  willing  for 
the  sake  of  possible  financial  profit  to  repeat,  in  this 
respect,  the  follies  of  the  past.  There  are  cases  on 
record  where  pedigree  speculators,  who  have  closed 
out  their  interests  in  time,  have  gained  some  finan- 
cial advantage,  but  such  men  were  not  breeders 
within  the  real  meaning  of  the  term. 

He  only  has  made  a  genuine  success  of  Short-horn 
breeding  who  maintains  or  improves  upon  the  char- 
acter of  the  animals  received  from  other  hands. 

In-breeding. — This  is  a  two-edged  sword.  In  the 
hands  of  men  who  were  adepts  in  its  application  it 
brought  about  some  of  the  greatest  successes  known 
in  Short-horn  history.  By  concentration  of  the 
blood  of  favorite  animals  the  distinctive  types  that 
have  so  largely  dominated  the  trade  have  been  cre- 
ated. On  the  other  hand,  over-indulgence  in  the 
practice  has  proved  the  destruction  of  more  than 
one  family  of  great  original  merit.  Dealing  with 
raw  materials,  as  it  were,  the  pioneer  breeders  were 
able  to  reap  the  highest  possible  measure  of  benefit 
from  an  appeal  to  the  Bakewell  practice,  but  a  cen- 
tury of  breeding  within  herd-book  lines  has  brought 
the  Short-horns  of  the  present  in  such  close  relation- 
ships that  what  was  vdse  procedure  in  the  early  days 
would  now  be  the  height  of  folly.  What  was  once 
heterogeneous  in  its  composition  has  by  the  opera- 
tion of  the  pedigree  registry  system  been  rendered 
homogeneous. 


THE    LAMP    OF    EXPERIENCE  785 

The  fact  that  close  breeding  proved  effective  many 
years  ago  in  the  hands  of  a  few  men  of  rare  capacity 
affords  no  justification  whatever  for  continued  in- 
and-in  breeding  by  their  successors.  Efforts  have 
been  made  to  enforce,  as  a  test  of  loyalty  to  some  of 
these  great  breeders  of  other  days,  opposition  to  the 
idea  of  resorting  in  any  shape,  form  or  manner  to 
fresh  blood  for  the  rejuvenation  of  cattle  so  descend- 
ed. It  must  be  apparent  to  even  the  dullest  compre- 
hension that  this  proposition  is  not  only  illogical 
on  its  face,  but  is  really  the  most  effective  of  all 
methods  of  destroying  the  good  work  done  by  those 
who  bequeathed  stock  that  had  already  been  sub- 
jected to  the  severe  test  of  long-continued  blood  con- 
centration. .  The  Bates  cattle  in  particular  suffered 
extensively  from  the  operations  of  those  who  resist- 
ed the  idea  of  fresh  crosses.  Messrs.  Warfield, 
Eenick,  Alexander,  the  Bedfords  and  others  obtained 
results  outside  of  the  ''straight"  Bates  line  that  sur- 
passed the  accomplishments  of  such  of  their  con- 
temporaries as  adhered  strictly  to  the  ''line."  An 
unwillingness  to  infuse  other  blood  into  the  old  Kil- 
lerby  and  Warlaby  strains  did  not  contribute  to  the 
physical  welfare  of  the  cattle  of  Booth  descent,  and 
at  the  Torr  dispersion  the  outcrossed  strains  were 
gladly  bought  at  high  prices  to  revive  the  glories 
of  the  earlier  days.* 


*In  this  connection  it  may  be  said  that,  the  major  part  of  the 
Booth  herd  was  sold  at  auction  a  few  years  since  by  Mr.  William 
Booth,  executor  of  the  estate  of  his  brother,  the  late  T.  C.  Booth. 
The  herd  is  again  being  revived  by  Mr.  Richard  Booth,  son  of  T.  C, 
and  Short-horns  may  still  be  seen  in  the  fine  old  pastures  at  Warlaby. 


786  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Examining  the  record  down  to  the  present  day  we 
find  a  tendency  to  repeat  the  errors  of  former  years 
in  the  case  of  the  families  created  by  Amos  Cruick- 
shank.  In  view  of  the  fact  that  this  careful  breeder 
freely  conceded  the  desirability  of  an  outcross  on  his 
cattle  prior  to  the  sale  of  his  herd,  the  contention  of 
those  who  are  now  insisting  upon  maintaining  the 
"purity"  of  the  Sittyton  families  finds  no  adequate 
basis  in  reason  or  experience.  James  I.  Davidson, 
who  w^as  for  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Cruickshank's 
representative  in  America,  demonstrated  what  could 
be  done  by  the  right  kind  of  an  outcross  when  he 
introduced  the  blood  of  Crown  Prince  of  Athelstane 
2d.  Messrs.  Potts  added  to  the  vitality,  as  shown  by 
increased  fertility,  of  one  branch  of  the  Sittyton 
Lavenders,  by  the  use  of  a  bull  blending  the  blood  of 
imp.  Duke  of  Bichmond  with  a  Young  Mary  founda- 
tion. At  Linwood  Col.  Harris  was  making  substan- 
tial progress  at  the  time  he  gave  up  breeding  by  the 
use  of  the  Golden  Drop  and  Princess  Alice  blood. 
Evidence  is  to  be  had  from  the  operations  of  Mr. 
James  J.  Hill,  the  late  Col.  T.  S.  Moberley  and  others, 
going  to  show  that  a  judicious  intermingling  of  the 
blood  of  other  good  Short-horns  with  that  of  the 
Scotch-bred  stock  will  prove  in  the  future  fruitful  of 
better  results  than  are  promised  by  a  too  rigid  adher- 
ence to  the  prevailing  fashionable  line. 

Touching  this  point  the  Hon.  John  Dryden,  one  of 
the  earliest  and  best  friends  of  the  Sittyton  cattle  in 
America,  says: 


THE    LAMP    OF    EXPEEIEXCE  787 

For  those  who  are  interested  in  Cruickshank  cattle  to  go  on 
blindly  following  pedigree  as  the  most  prominent  thing  in  con- 
nection with  the  breeding  of  these  cattle  means,  in  my  judgment, 
certain  ruin.  We  have  seen  this  tried  in  several  breeds  of  cattle 
and  horses  before,  and  I  know  how  much  evil  it  has  worked. 
Whatever  others  may  say,  I  know  definitely  that  Mr.  Cruick- 
shank's  own  ideas  were  entirely  contrary  to  that  view.  It  would 
have  been  of  great  advantage  to  those  of  us  following  in  his  foot- 
steps to  have  had  the  crosses  made  by  himself;  they  would  then 
have  been  accepted  without  question  as  the  result  of  sound  judg- 
ment. 

My  opinion  is  that  Mr.  Cruickshank  was  right  when  he  de- 
cided that  violent  crosses  on  his  cattle  should  be  avoided.  What 
I  mean  by  that  is  to  take  an  exactly  opposite  type  or  style  of 
pedigree,  the  result  of  which  is  not  ordinarily  uniform  mixing. 
Mr.  Cruickshank's  theory  was  that  to  keep  up  the  robustness  of 
his  cattle  and  to  give  them  additional  strength  of  character  an 
occasional  cow  of  somewhat  different  breeding  should  be  used 
upon  which  to  cross  one  of  his  own  bulls  with  the  view  of  secur- 
ing a  bull  of  somewhat  different  blood.  If  such  outcross  is  to 
be  resorted  to  it  should  not  be  one  of  mere  pedigree,  but  the 
animal  chosen  should  be  sound  and  of  robust  constitution  and 
having  similar  characteristics  to  the  Cruickshank  cattle  as  de- 
veloped by  their  former  proprietor.  Further,  it  should  be  borne 
in  mind  that  Mr.  Cruickshank's  idea  was  not  to  produce  fine- 
looking  animals  when  they  were  matured  at  from  four  to  six 
years  of  age,  but  to  produce  such  animals  as  would  mature  if 
necessary  of  from  one  to  two  and  a  half  years.  I  notice  that  a 
good  many  show  animals  which  are  talked  about  a  great  deal 
belong  to  the  former  class,  and  while  they  are  fine  animals  when 
at  their  maturity,  they  do  not  at  all  possess  the  characteristics 
that  Mr.  Cruickshank  sought  in  his  herd. 

We  have  at  the  present  day  altogether  too  many  imitators 
among  breeders  of  cattle.  It  seems  to  be  the  proper  thing  to  pur- 
sue the  principle  that  is  followed  in  a  millinery  shop,  and  every- 
body tries  to  follow  in  the  same  line.  They  do  not  all  succeed, 
but  because  this  color  or  that  or  this  form  or  the  other  is  fash- 
ionable nothing  else  will  do  on  any  account.  Now  it  is  a  very 
easy  thing  to  follow  fashion  in  pedigree,  but  a  confessedly  diffi- 


788  A.   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HOKX   CATTLE 

cult  thing  to  do  what  all  the  great  cattle-breeders  of  the  past 
have  done,  and  produce  not  merely  a  pedigree  but  animals  hav- 
ing special  characteristics  and  the  power  to  give  these  to  their 
descendants. 

Mr.  Cruickshank  never  followed  fashion  either  in  pedigree  or 
upon  any  other  point,  but  had  his  own  sound  common  sense  to 
guide  him.  He  knew  what  he  wanted  and  he  knew  it  when  he 
saw  it,  the  result  being  that  when  he  found  among  his  own  calves 
the  bull  Champion  of  England  he  said  to  himself,  without  con- 
sulting anyone  else,  "That  is  what  I  am  seeking  for,  and  I  shall 
at  once  be  bold  enough  to  use  him."  We  all  know  the  result. 
If  his  brother,  who  was  always  inclined  to  follow  fashion,  had 
been  consulted  Champion  of  England  would  never  have  been  used, 
and  Mr.  E,  Cruickshank  has  often  told  me  that  if  Amos  had  fol- 
lowed his  own  judgment  on  previous  occasions  he  would  have 
used  one  or  two  bulls  at  an  earlier  date  which  would  likely  have 
accomplished  equally  good  results.  The  same  thing  may  be  said 
of  Bates  and  Booth.  They  followed  their  own  judgment  until  we 
find  that  all  the  world  decided  subsequently  that  their  judgment 
was  right  and  they  became  leaders  of  fashion. 

Those  who  notice  the  cattle  sales  of  Great  Britain  will  have 
observed  that  most  breeders  there  have  judgments  of  their  own. 
I  have  often  referred  to  this  point  in  this  country  before  and 
have  suggested  that  it  would  be  a  great  blessing  for  our  country 
generally  if  our  breeders  had  more  definite  convictions  of  their 
own,  with  definite  ideas  of  what  they  wanted  to  accomplish,  and 
worked  along  that  line. 

My  opinion  therefore  is  that  if  our  Cruickshank  breeders  un- 
dertake to  follow  pedigree  merely  and  stick  to  the  color  craze  of 
red,  the  cattle  are  doomed;  it  is  only  a  matter  of  time,  and  I  con- 
gratulate you  upon  the  stand  you  have  taken  in  this  matter. 
These  little  points  as  to  the  shape  of  the  horn  and  the  exact  color 
of  the  skin  are  really  of  no  consequence  when  it  comes  to  the 
useful  qualities  of  the  animal.  We  all  like  to  see  these  things  and 
they  give  added  value  to  an  animal,  but  a  good  animal  should  not 
be  thrown  away  simply  because  one  horn  turns  a  little  too  much 
back,  or  otherwise. 

As  to  the  present  situation  in  England  in  refer- 
ence to  the  Scotch  cross,  the  following  letter  to  the 


BAPTOX   PEARL— BRED   BY  J.    DEAXE    WILLIS". 


CICELY— SHOWN   BY    III  i;    m  Mi.STY   THE   QUEEN. 


PRIZE -WINNING  HEIFERS  AT  THE  ENGLISH  ROYAL.  OF 

1899. 


THE    LAMP    OF    EXPERIENCE  789 

author  from  one  of  Britain's  oldest  and  most  conser- 
vative students  of  Short-horn  breeding,  Mr.  William 
Housman  of  Prospect  House,  Distington,  Cumber- 
land, sounds  a  note  that  is  worth  heeding: 

Our  breeders,  as  you  must  have  observed,  are  very  much  at 
variance  in  opinion  upon  the  Scotch  cross  question.  I  think  my- 
self the  term  "Cruickshank  blood,"  as  commonly  used,  is  too  nar- 
row and  two  shallow,  neither  stretching  far  enough  to  comprise 
the  useful  Scotch  strains  from  outside  Sittyton  sources  nor  going 
deep  enough  to  include  old  Scotch  blood  derived  from  herds  long 
extinct,  yet  still  in  various  measures  influential.  Yet  Cruick- 
shank  is  justly  regarded  as  a  great  name  in  Short-horn  history. 

For  all  that  I  do  not  care  for  the  heavings  of  the  crowd  to  and 
fro.  "Booms,"  you  in  America  call  the  din  raised  one  day  about 
this  blood,  another  day  about  that.  There  is  a  bad  want  of 
sobriety  and  stability  of  judgment  in  it  all,  to  my  poor  way  of 
thinking.  Looking  at  the  matter  in  that  aspect  I  have  not  a 
strong  desire  to  go  much  or  often  into  the  question  of  the  merits 
of  this  or  the  other  cross  the  fashion  of  the  day.  However  good 
Booth,  Bates,  Cruickshank  or  any  other  "blood"  may  be,  there 
are  plenty  of  persons  out  of  breath  in  their  haste  to  make  a  mess 
of  their  breeding  through  the  indiscriminate  use  of  it,  and  so  to 
discredit  what  one  might  fairly  say  in  its  favor. 

A  little  steadiness  is  the  best  I  have  at  the  moment  to  suggest 
as  to  the  course  for  the  future;  but  it  must  be  coupled  with  recog- 
nition of  merit,  which  I  believe  to  be  plentiful,  outside  the  cover 
of  the  very  biggest  names. 

You  will  see  that  at  our  shows  the  Scotch  and  Scotch-cross 
Short-horns  are  well  to  the  front.  This  is  a  hard  fact  to  an- 
swer. Still  it  affords  no  good  reason  for  crossing  everything  with 
Scotch  bulls,  flooding  the  herds  with  that  which  may  be  eminent- 
ly suitable  in  one  case  and  as  thoroughly  unsuitable  in  another. 

William  Duthie  of  Collynie  clearly  recognizes  the 
desirability  of  finding  a  suitable  outcross  for  the  Sit- 
tyton tribes,  and  has  recently  purchased  in  England 
several  very  grand  cows  of  mixed  breeding,  which  he 


790  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOKT-HOKN   CATTLE 

proposes  to  mate  with  Cniickshank-bred  sires  with  a 
view  toward  introducing  in  a  diluted  form  a  dash 
of  fresh  blood  in  the  hope  that  something  may  be 
gained  in  the  way  of  size  and  style.  Among  these 
cows  we  may  mention  Cowslip  26th,  bred  by  Lord 
Brougham  and  Vaux,  a  magnificent  cow  of  wonder- 
ful scale,  symmetry  and  finish,  winner  of  many 
prizes  in  England;  Primrose  4th,  bred  by  Mr.  Scott 
of  Sof tlaw,  Kelso,  winner  of  first  prize  at  Edinburgh, 
and  of  same  breeding  as  the  great  show  cow  Softlaw 
Rose;  and  Lady  Meredith,  carrying  the  blood  of  the 
great  bull  Rosario  on  top  of  a  daughter  of  the 
world's  highest-priced  bull,  Duke  of  Connaught. 
The  latter  has  the  character  and  ^ '  grand  air ' '  of  the 
Duchesses,  accompanied  by  ample  scale  and  flesh. 
These  cows  are  large  and  stylish  with  good  heads, 
necks  and  backs.  Moreover  they  are  heavy  milkers, 
and  as  they  have  been  mated  with  such  bulls  as 
Scottish  Archer  and  Lord  of  Fame  the  result  of  the 
cross  is  awaited  with  much  interest.* 


*Mr.  Duthie  was  led  to  undertake  this  experiment  largely  by  the 
appearance  of  the  beautiful  roan  heifer  Sea  Gem  (bred  by  Mr.  Dun- 
combe),  champion  female  of  the  Royal  of  1897  at  Manchester;  that 
was  sired  by  Liberator  (64260)  (bred  at  CoUynie  and  sold  in  dam  to 
Mr.  Willis)  out  of  Sea  Pearl,  tracing  in  the  maternal  line  to  Fenella 
by  Mr.  Bates'  3d  Duke  of  Northumberland  (3647).  Sea  Gem  was 
sold  at  auction  at  above  400  guineas.  Further  evidence  of  the  intent 
of  Mr.  Cruickshank's  broad-minded  successor  to  leave  nothing  undone 
looking  toward  the  perpetuation  of  the  merit  of  the  Sittyton  tribes 
is  to  be  found  in  the  fact  that  he  has  also  tried  recently  the  hand- 
some young  bull  Captain  Inglewood,  a  son  of  the  Sittyton-bred  Cap- 
tain of  the  Guard,  out  of  one  of  the  famous  Inglewood  cows  bred  by 
the  late  Robert  Thompson  of  Penrith,  whose  successes  at  the  English 
Royal  a  number  of  years  ago  were  among  the  greatest  triumphs  of 
the  latter-day  history  of  the  breed  in  Britain. 

Among  the  stock  bulls  used  in  recent  years  at  Collynie,  in  addition 
to  those  already  mentioned,  have  been  the  following:  Pride  of  Morn- 
ing (64546),  a  champion  show  bull,  got  by  Star  of  IMorning  (i)8189), 
belonging  to  the  Sittyton  Clipper  tribe;  Count  Arthur  (70194),  a 
white  bull,  bred  by   Deane  Willis  from   Count  Lavendei     (60545)    out 


THE    LAMP    OF    EXPERIENCE  791 

It  is  a  peculiar  fact  that  while  inbreeding  brought 
several  of  the  greatest  herds  in  Short-horn  history 
to  their  greatest  perfection  it  proved  difficult  to  hold 
them  at  the  level  attained  by  the  first  appeal  to  that 
magic  influence.  Fortunately  for  the  breed  the  loss 
of  merit  in  such  cases  has  not  been  rapid.  In  the 
hands  of  skillful  men  the  inbred  tribes  continued  to 
produce  animals  of  extraordinary  value  at  frequent 
intervals.  It  is  true,  nevertheless,  that  the  zenith 
of  Bates,  Booth,  Kenick  and  Cruickshank  success 
was  attained  in  each  case  before  the  men  who  created 
the  types  bearing  those  names  laid  down  their  work. 
Their  followers  to  this  day  are  simply  struggling 
with  the  problem  of  how  to  sustain  or  restore  an  in- 
bred type  after  it  has  once  been  in  full  flower.  All 
experience  indicates  that  this  is  a  most  perplexing 
problem.  Happily,  however,  the  great  groups  of 
families  named  remained  an  honor  to  their  creators 
for  so  many  years  that  they  contributed  largely  to 
the  general  welfare.  Strongly-bred  sires  are  usually 
impressive ;  but  when  they  impress  inferiority  rather 
than  actual  merit,  their  prepotency  becomes  the 
strongest  of  all  arguments  against  their  continued 
use. 

Incestuous  breeding  should  never  be  attempted  by 
a  novice,  and  any  concentration  of  blood  is  of  doubt- 


of  Victoria  55th  by  Gondolier;  Nonpareil  Victor  (71071),  also  bred  by- 
Mr.  Willis,  sired  by  the  champion  bull  Count  Victor  (66877) — that  was 
sold  to  South  America  at  500  guineas — out  of  Nonpareil  Bloom  by 
Commodore  (54118),  and  Spicy  Monarch,  bred  at  Uppermill  from  Spicy 
Robin  (69638),  out  cf  Alexandrina  20th  (own  sister  to  Messrs.  Rob- 
bins'  Gay  Monarch)   by  William  of  Orange. 


792  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORN    CATTLE 

ful  efficacy  unless  pronounced  vigor  and  constitution 
are  possessed  by  the  animal  to  be  subjected  to  it. 

As  commonly  understood  by  cattle-breeders,  in- 
and-in  breeding  is  the  term  applied  to  the  mating  of 
sires  of  certain  tribes  with  females  of  the  same 
tribes.  The  use  of  a  continued  succession  of  sires  of 
one  tribe,  or  group  of  kindred  tribes,  upon  females 
of  other  maternal  origin  is  usually  described  as  ^^line 
breeding. '^  This  latter  method  of  procedure  gives 
rise  to  stock  characterized  as  Bates-topped,  Booth- 
topped,  Cruickshank-topped,  etc.  Only  such  cattle 
as  descend  in  the  maternal  line  from  cows  bred  at 
Kirklevmgton,  Killerby,  Warlaby  or  Sittyton  are  re- 
ferred to  as  belonging  respectively  to  the  Bates, 
Booth  or  Cruickshank  tribes.  Cattle  that  trace  to 
such  cows  through  sires  carrying  no  admixture  of 
blood  from  other  herds  are  described  as  ^^pure'' 
Bates,  ^^pure^'  Booth  or  ''pure"  Cruickshank,  as  the 
case  may  be,  but  few  to  which  such  appellation  cor- 
rectly applies  are  now  living. 

Herd-book  registration. — In  America  registration 
is  limited  to  animals  descended  all  around  from  stock 
already  of  record.  This  renders  it  impossible  to 
originate  new  families  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic 
no  matter  how  long  the  use  of  registered  sires  may 
be  pursued.  In  Great  Britain  the  editing  committee 
of  Coates'  Herd  Book  has  authority  to  admit  ani- 
mals having  in  the  case  of  bulls  five  crosses  of  regis-, 
tered  sires,  and  in  the  case  of  cows  four  crosses  of 
same.   Care  is  of  course  taken  before  admitting  stock 


THE    LAMP    OF    EXPEEIEXCE  793 

under  this  latter  rule  to  see  that  the  foundation  cows 
were  of  good  general  Short-horn  type.  On  account 
of  the  existence  of  this  English  rule  the  American 
association  requires  that  English-bred  cattle  to 
be  eligible  for  registry  must  trace  in  all  their 
crosses  to  animals  recorded,  or  eligible  to  record, 
in  the  first  twenty  volumes  of  Coates'  Herd  Book. 
The  twentieth  volume  of  that  record  was  issued  in 
1873. 

While  it  is  the  well-settled  policy  of  the  American 
management  to  oppose  any  relaxation  of  the  herd- 
book  rules,  the  fact  remains  that  some  of  the  most 
valuable  Short-horns  of  the  day  in  Great  Britain  are 
to  be  found  among  those  that  have  been  bred  into 
Coates'  Herd  Book  since  1873  under  the  four  and 
five-cross  rule.  This  is  particularly  true  of  that 
large  and  valuable  contingent  in  the  English  herds 
possessing  rare  merit  for  dairy  purposes.  It  is  con- 
ceded that  there  are  grave  objections  to  opening  the 
door  in  America  to  the  creation  of  new  families,  and 
yet  it  is  possible  that  the  time  will  come  when  long- 
continued  confinement  within  the  limits  of  stock  de- 
scended from  ancestors  already  of  record  in  the 
American  Herd  Book,  and  in  the  first  twenty  vol- 
umes of  the  English  may  render  it  increasingly 
difficult  to  carry  on  the  work  of  improving  the 
breed;  especially  when  choice  of  sires  is  still  further 
narrowed  by  the  dictates  of  fashion  in  blood  lines 
and  color.  The  elder  Booth  always  maintained  that 
three  or  four  crosses  of  the  Killerby  bulls  on  top  of 


794  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

good  market  cows  of  the  Teeswater  type  gave  liim 
animals  which  were,  to  all  intents  and  purposes, 
purely-bred  Short-horns,  that  could  be  relied  upon 
to  reproduce  their  own  excellencies.  The  breed  has 
certainly  held  its  own  in  its  native  land  with  re- 
markable success  and  persistency  under  a  plan  which 
admits  of  the  gradual  infusion  of  the  blood  of  new 
families.  It  would  seem,  therefore,  that  the  system 
under  which  Coates'  Herd  Book  is  conducted  has 
been  proved  a  success  on  the  other  side  of  the  water. 
The  time  may  not  yet  be  ripe  for  the  introduction  of 
a  similar  method  of  registration  in  this  country,  but 
food  for  reflection  is  certainly  found  in  the  fact  that 
a  large  percentage  of  our  best  cattle  are  seen  among 
the  comparatively  short-pedigreed  tribes,  and  con- 
versely there  is  oftentimes  a  noticeable  absence  of 
merit  in  animals  representing  families  boasting  an 
unbroken  line  of  herd  book  descent  extending  back 
of  the  year  1800.  All  must  admit  the  desirability  of 
a  uniform  standard  on  both  sides  the  Atlantic,  and 
it  is  to  be  hoped  that  some  way  of  bringing  the 
American  and  English  rules  to  a  common  basis  may 
be  found  in  the  near  future. 

Color. — Dame  Fashion  has  much  to  answer  for  in 
connection  with  Short-horn  breeding  in  America. 
Not  only  has  the  fickle  jade  demanded  the  degrada- 
tion of  whole  families  of  good,  well-bred  cattle  on 
insufficient  charges  affecting  their  pedigrees,  but  in 
the  Western  States  went  so  far  as  to  dictate  that  red 
bulls  only  should  be  used  as  sires.    This  latter  prop- 


THE    LAMP    OF    EXPERIENCE  795 

osition  really  had  its  origin  on  the  Western  range. 
Solid-colored  bulls  were  preferred  by  the  ranchmen, 
and  those  who  were  breeding  for  that  trade  naturally 
catered  to  the  wants  of  their  customers.     This,  in 
turn   affected  the  choice  of  sires  in  herds  that  sup- 
plied stock  bulls  to  those  who  had  a  general  farm 
and  range  clientage.    In  vain  did  leading  breeders 
point  out  that  this  was  a  grave  mistake,  narrowing 
still  further  a  field  of  selection  which  had  already 
been  curtailed  by  the  operation  of  fashion's  laws  in 
the  matter  of  pedigree.    In  vain  was  it  pointed  out 
that  in  Great  Britain,  the  home  of  the  breed,  the 
roan  was  the  prevailing  popular  color  and  that  even 
white  bulls  were   occasionally   used   m   the   most 
famous  herds.    The  buyers  of  bulls  for  steer-getting- 
purposes  were  inexorable.    A  solid  red,  and  worst  of 
all  (in  manv  cases)  very  dark  red  bulls,  of  the  most 
ordinarv  character,  were  freely  bought  in  preference 
to  thicker,  better,  mellower  roans,  yellow-reds  or 
reds  with  white  markings.    So  general  was  this  de- 
mand at  one  time  that  it  seemed  fairly  suicidal  for 
the  owners  of  pedigreed  herds  to  use  any  other  than 
red  bulls     The  pursuit  of  this  policy  led  to  the  sacri- 
fice of  manv  useful  cattle.    There  were  not  enough 
oood  reds  of  the  fashionable  tribes  to  go  around,  so 
that  the  inevitable  result  was  the  use  of  many  an 
indifferent  sire  for  no  better  reason  than  the  posses- 
sion of  a  coat  of  hair  and  a  pedigree  certificate  that 
tickled  the  popular  fancy— the  prime  essentials  of 
constitution  and  thrift  often  being  ignored  m  the 


796  A   HISTORY   OF   SIIORT-HORX   CATTLE 

mad  race  to  obey  the  behests  of  the  fashion  of  the 
hour. 

The  more  substantial  element,  however,  opposed 
unceasingly  this  debasement  of  the  breed  and  stood 
out  manfully  for  more  rational  methods,  and  in  the 
course  of  time  the  red  color  craze  began  to  abate. 
Good  roans  can  again  be  disposed  of  at  satisfactory 
prices.  The  general  preference  is  still  for  red  bulls, 
but  sensible  men  do  not  carry  their  opposition  to  the 
lighter  colors  to  the  extreme  noted  some  years  ago. 
Indeed,  both  in  the  matter  of  color  and  fashionable 
breeding  there  is  a  marked  change  in  the  direction 
of  reason  and  common  sense  to  be  noted  at  this  time; 
and  in  this  fact  there  is  hope  for  the  future. 

Handling  quality. — It  is  generally  conceded  that 
feeding  capacity  is  to  a  considerable  extent  indicated 
by  the  hide  and  hair.  A  soft  silky  coat,  assuming  in 
winter  a  thick,  furry  character,  is  always  to  be  pre- 
ferred to  hair  that  is  thin,  coarse,  wiry  or  harsh. 
The  skin  should  be  of  good  thickness,  not  thin  or 
'^papery/'  as  that  indicates  delicacy  of  constitution. 
It  should  be  pliable  to  the  touch,  covering  a  mellow 
cushion  of  evenly-distributed  flesh.  Hard-handling 
cattle  of  inferior  fleshing  capacity  are  found  more 
frequently  among  the  dark-red  Short-horns  than 
among  those  of  other  colors.  The  roans  and  such 
reds  as  have  yellow  skins  are  usually  animals  of 
better  quality. 

Constitution,  character  and  conformation. — Vigor 
must  ever  be  a  paramount  consideration.     Without 


THE    LAMP    OF    EXPERIENCE  707 

sound  constitution  there  is  no  liopie  of  thrift  or  fer- 
tility. A  predisposition  to  disease  is  a  fault  fatal  to 
all  success  or  profit.  Excessive  inbreeding  and 
''pampering"  for  show  are  among  the  prime  causes 
of  physical  deterioration;  leading  to  impaired  vital- 
ity and  fatty  degeneration. 

The  bull  should  be  of  positive  masculine  type,  with 
a  strong  head  and  horn.  At  maturity  he  should  be 
possessed  of  what  is  commonly  called  "character"; 
a  term  which  may  be  briefly  defined  as  meaning  "in- 
dividuality." Weak  heads  and  countenances,  of  the 
negative  sort  usually  seen  in  steers,  do  not  indicate 
in  the  bull  prepotency  or  the  power  to  impress  his 
own  likeness  with  uniformity  upon  his  progeny.  The 
neck  should  be  thick  and  not  too  long.  The  shoul- 
ders may  be  wide  and  well  developed,  but  should  not 
be  too  upright;  neither  should  they  be  too  open  at 
the  "crops" — the  junction  of  the  blades  at  the  top. 
The  "chine" — which  includes  the  "crops"  and  the 
joining  of  the  fore-ribs — should  be  broad,  round  and 
full.  The  back  and  loin  should  be  wide  and  well- 
furnished  with  flesh.  The  ribs  ought  to  be  round 
and  deep.  A  contracted  heart-girth  is  decidedly 
objectionable.  The  hips  of  the  bull  ought  not  to  be 
so  conspicuous  as  in  the  cow.  As  strong  shoulder 
development  is  to  be  expected  in  the  male,  so  in  the 
female  the  hips  ("hooks")  will  naturally  find 
greater  prominence  in  order  to  provide  the  pelvic 
capacity  required  by  the  demands  of  the  functions 
of  maternity.    The  quarters  should  be  long  and  level; 


798  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

the  ''twist" — spuce  between  the  thighs — well  filled, 
and  the  flanks  and  thighs  carried  low.* 

The  Short-horns  of  the  olden  time  were  dis- 
tinguished for  their  "table"  backs  and  great  scale, 
but  were  often  rather  high  from  the  ground.  The 
market  demand  for  ''baby  beef"  has  induced  latter- 
day  breeders  to  seek  a  shorter-legged,  more  com- 
.pactly  fashioned,  blockier  type,  such  as  feed  to 
heavy  weights  at  an  early  age ;  but  it  is  to  be  hoped 
that  in  pursuing  this  subject  scale  will  not  be  unduly 
neglected. 

The  cow  should  be  as  distinctly  feminine  about 
the  head  and  neck  as  the  bull  is  the  reverse.  She 
should  have  what  is  often  called  a  "breedy"  look, 
as  distinguished  from  a  ''steery"  countenance.  Re- 
finement rather  than  coarseness  almost  invariably 
characterizes  the  head  of  a  successful  breeding  cow. 
This  is  what  the  Scotch  herdsmen  have  in  mind  when 
they  speak  of  '^a  lady  coo."  Width  between  the 
eyes  is  indicative  of  good  feeding  quality  in  both 
sexes.  Long,  narrow  heads  are  objectionable.  The 
incurving  or  dished  face  may  be  permissible  in  the 
female,  but  it  is  never  suggestive  of  virility,  and  is 
not  to  be  sought  in  the  bull.  Eoman  noses  are  sel- 
dom seen  and  are  not  in  favor,  although  they  are 
almost  invariably  accompanied  by  unusual  vigor  of 
constitution.     The  bull's  face   should  be   of  good 


♦This  description  of  course  applies  rather  to  the  beef  form  than 
to  the  dairy  type.  Where  deep-milking  capacity  is  desired  the  full 
"twist"  and  flanks  will  scarcely  be  present.  The  space  which  in  the 
beef  cow  is  here  occupied  by  flesh  will  in  that  case  be  required  for 
udder  development. 


HEIFER  CALF  SHOWN   BY   W.   T.  MILLER  &  SONS.   OF   INDIANA. 


HEIFER    BRED    BY    N.    P.    CLARKE   AT    MEADOW    LAWN. 
BREED   TYPES  AS  SHOWN  BY   PHOTOGRAPHY. 


THE    LAMP    OF    EXPERIENCE  "  799 

width  from  the  eyes  to  the  nostrils.  A'  fine  muzzle 
is  a  sign  of  delicacy.  Short-horn  noses  are  usually 
light  and  clear  in  color,  although  occasionally  black 
or  clouded.  The  latter,  although  not  evidence  of  im- 
pure breeding,  are  avoided  as  much  as  possible  by 
careful  breeders.  Such  a  minor  point,  however,  as  a 
clouded  nose  will  not  deter  a  man  of  good  judgment 
from  using  an  animal  that  is  exceptionally  desirable 
in  vital  particulars. 

A  generous  middle  signifies  a  good  "doer/'  Ex- 
cessive paunchiness  is  a  fault  to  be  avoided,  but  the 
highest  results,  either  in  the  feed-lot  or  in  the  dairy, 
are  only  possible  where  ample  digestive  power  is  in 
evidence. 

Primary  points  in  management. — The  nearer 
Short-horns  can  be  maintained  under  natural  con- 
ditions the  better.  Plenty  of  good  grass  for  the 
working  members  of  the  herd  and  an  abundant  sup- 
ply of  milk  for  the  calves  are  prime  requisites.  Pas- 
tures should  never  be  "  overworked '*  or  grazed  too 
closely  in  midsummer.  No  one  should  undertake  to 
keep  more  cattle  than  can  be  carried  with  justice 
to  the  available  pasture  lands.  The  blue  grass, 
which  is  the  mainstay  of  the  cattle  business  in  the 
United  States,  makes  little  if  any  growth  through 
the  hot  summer  months.  It  will  often  be  found  wise 
practice  to  provide  a  supply  of  succulent  food  for 
the  herd  during  this  period.  Fodder  corn  sown  for 
this  purpose  will  be  found  a  profitable  crop. 

During    the    winter    reasonable    shelter    should 


800  '  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

always  be  provided.  Cattle  can  stand  a  low  degree 
of  temperature  when  the  weather  is  clear  and  bright; 
but  cold,  wet  storms  subject  their  constitutions  to  a 
test  which  careful  breeders  will  endeavor  to  avoid. 
Throughout  the  Western  States  it  is  common  prac- 
tice to  stable  the  herds  at  night  during  the  coldest 
weather,  but  it  is  almost  unanimously  agreed  that 
^'housing''  during  the  day  is  positively  injurious, 
except  in  the  case  of  young  calves  or  animals  very 
thin  in  flesh.  Exercise  and  fresh  air  are  absolutely 
necessary  for  the  health  of  breeding  stock.  Close 
confinement  in  poorly-ventilated  stables  is  even 
worse  than  exposure  to  the  elements.  Some  breeders 
permit  their  stock  bulls  to  run  with  the  herd,  but  this 
is  not  the  usual  practice.  The  better  plan  is  to  pro- 
vide a  good  box  for  the  bull,  opening  into  as  large  a 
paddock  as  can  be  spared  for  this  purpose.  A  grassy 
lot,  several  acres  in  size,  with  shade  and  water 
trough,  ought  to  be  arranged  for  the  bull's  comfort 
in  connection  with  his  stall. 

Over  considerable  areas  in  the  Central  West  cattle 
can  find  the  bulk  of  their  feed  in  blue-grass  pastures 
up  to  Jan.  1,  but  the  young  stock  will  require  more 
or  less  grain  in  order  to  insure  their  proper  develop- 
ment. Short-horn  heifers  that  have  been  carried  to 
maturity  upon  a  judicious  ration  will  not  require 
much  grain  to  maintain  their  condition  as  cows,  ex- 
cept perhaps  in  the  case  of  those  milking  heavily. 
The  young  bulls  after  weaning  must  be  kept  by 
themselves  and  receive   special  care.     It  is  more 


THE    LAMP    OF    EXPERIENCE  801 

difficult  to  condition  a  young  bull  than  a  heifer,  and 
a  liberal  ration  of  grain  is  required  for  the  first 
twelve  months  after  he  has  been  deprived  of  his 
mother's  milk.  In  the  conditioning  of  thin  cows  and 
young  stock  too  much  corn  should  not  be  used. 
Ground  oats,  bran,  a  little  oil-cake,  roots,  shredded 
fodder,  good  grass,  hay,  or  even  clean,  bright  straw 
may  all  be  resorted  to  with  profit,  and  a  mixture  of 
these  feeds  is  always  preferable  to  an  exclusive  use 
of  any  of  them.  Feeding,  however,  is  an  art  that 
cannot  be  taught  from  books.  A  ration  that  will  suit 
one  case  will  fail  in  another.  Not  only  the  kinds  but 
the  amounts  to  be  given  can  only  be  satisfactorily 
determined  by  a  careful  study  of  the  individual 
peculiarities  of  different  animals. 

To  succeed  in  Short-horn  breeding  it  is  important 
that  one  have  a  genuine  love  for  the  work.  Both  the 
owner  and  the  herdsman  should  find  a  keen  delight  in 
the  company  of  their  cattle,  and  if  on  terms  of  inti- 
macy with  favorite  animals  so  much  the  better. 
Kind  treatment  should  at  all  times  be  enforced. 
Young  bulls  are  frequently  rendered  vicious  by  inju- 
dicious punishment.  All  bulls  over  twelve  months 
old  should  have  rings  inserted  in  their  noses,  so  that 
they  may  be  managed  with  safety.  An  unruly  bull 
should  never  be  used  or  tolerated  unless  of  such  out- 
standing excellence  that  his  services  seem  fairly  in- 
dispensable, and  if  proved  positively  dangerous 
should  go  to  the  shambles  at  any  cost.  Human  life  is 
more  sacred  than  the  welfare  of  any  herd. 


802  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

Well-trained,  reliable  herdsmen  are  almost  beyond 
price  when  the  owner  cannot  give  the  cattle  his  own 
personal  attention,  and  even  in  that  case  the  ser- 
vices of  a  competent  helper  will  be  required.  Expe- 
rienced herdsmen  are  perhaps  more  numerous  in 
Great  Britain  than  in  the  United  States,  and  many 
of  Scotch  and  English  birth  have  been  prominently 
identified  with  the  business  in  America.  Unfortu- 
nately Culshaws  and  Cuddys  are  rare  even  in  the  old 
country.  Men  who  consecrate  their  lives  to  a  mas- 
tery of  the  thousand  details  of  successful  cattle  man- 
agement, men  who  anticipate  every  want  of  the 
animals  in  their  care,  men  who  know  that  unremit- 
ting attention  means  ''good  luck,''  and  neglect 
brings  the  reverse,  are  entitled  to  the  highest  con- 
sideration and  encouragement  of  all  who  have  the 
interests  of  live-stock  improvement  at  heart.  Short- 
horn history  abounds  in  instances  of  rare  devotion, 
singleness  of  purpose  and  conscientious  discharge  of 
duty  on  the  part  of  those  who  have  been  responsible 
for  the  welfare  of  different  herds.  On  the  other 
hand,  there  is  a  considerable  element  in  the  frater- 
nity of  herdsmen  that  does  not  seem  to  realize  the 
dignity  of  this  form  of  service.  It  is  not  only  an 
honorable  but  a  useful  profession,  in  which  fidelity 
and  skill  will  usually  bring  their  own  reward. 

Does  showing  pay? — There  is  a  wide  difference  of 
opinion  among  cattle-breeders  on  this  question,  but 
it  resolves  itself  finally  into  the  simple  proposition 
of  advertising.    The  light  that  is  hid  under  the  half- 


THE    LAMP    OF    EXPEEIEXCE  803 

bushel  is  never  seen  from  a  distance.  One  is  never 
certain  that  his  efforts  at  producing  good  cattle  will 
be  appreciated  in  his  own  immediate  neighborhood. 
A  market  for  surplus  stock  is  a  necessity,  and  those 
who  would  seek  the  best  class  of  trade  must  reach 
out  for  it.  It  will  certainly  not  come  to  them  un- 
solicited. Judicious  advertising  lies  at  the  very 
foundation  of  all  business  success,  and  he  who 
ignores  this  fact  will  have  no  one  to  blame  but  him- 
self if  he  fails  to  find  a  satisfactory  market  for  his 
wares.  No  amount  of  advertising  will  bring  success 
unless  there  is  merit  in  what  is  offered  for  sale. 
Given,  therefore,  a  herd  of  cattle  of  really  desirable 
character  and  quality,  some  form  of  advertising 
must  be  resorted  to  if  the  owner  proposes  to  do 
justice  to  his  own  investment. 

The  show-yard  and  the  public  press  are  the  two 
main  mediums  of  communication  with  the  public. 
Some  have  accomplished  their  object  by  the  use  of 
one  of  these  methods  and  some  by  the  other.  Public 
attention  may  be  acquired  more  promptly  by  an 
appeal  to  both,  and  this  is  the  plan  pursued  by  the 
more  enterprising  element.  There  is  no  denying  the 
fact  that  many  a  grand  Short-horn  has  been  ruined 
for  breeding  purposes  by  long-continued  training  for 
show.  Under  the  system  of  judging  that  has  been 
prevalent  on  both  sides  of  the  water  for  half  a  cen- 
tury it  has  been  idle  to  exhibit  cattle  that  were  not 
heavily  fed.  Cattle  of  delicate  constitution  quickly 
succumb  to  this  pressure,  and  even  the  most  rugged 


804  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

types  gradually  give  way  under  it.  Injury  from  ex- 
cessive feeding  is  greatest  in  the  case  of  matured  ani- 
mals, and  on  this  account  the  managers  of  our  mod- 
ern shows  have  modified  their  requirements  in  the 
case  of  herds  in  such  a  way  as  to  render  it  unneces- 
sary to  fit  so  many  aged  cows  as  were  formerly  neces- 
sary. What  is  known  as  the  graded  or  "  step-lad- 
der''  herd  simply  calls  for  a  bull  two  years  old  or 
over,  one  two-year-old  heifer,  one  yearling  heifer  and 
one  heifer  calf.  This  is  a  change  of  distinct  advan- 
tage to  the  breeder. 

So  long  as  there  are  honors  and  fame  to  be  gained 
by  these  public  contests  there  will  be  found  men  to 
fit  and  show  their  stock.  Men  will  ^ '  seek  the  bubble 
reputation  even  at  the  cannon's  mouth.''  Cattle- 
breeders  will  not  be  deterred  from  engaging  in  the 
great  show-yard  battles  by  the  mere  possibility  of 
injury  or  loss  to  a  certain  proportion  of  the  animals 
fitted.  As  a  general  proposition  feeding  for  show  is 
not  only  an  expensive  undertaking  so  far  as  the  im- 
mediate outlay  is  concerned,  but  is  clearly  detri- 
mental to  the  best  interests  of  the  animals  pressed 
into  such  service.  At  the  same  time  it  seems  essen- 
tial, as  a  broad  proposition,  that  advantage  be  taken 
of  the  shows  to  demonstrate  continuously  the  feed- 
ing capabilities  of  the  breed;  but  this  should  ordi- 
narily be  left  to  those  who  have  the  means  and 
facilities  for  carrying  on  the  work  fairly  regardless 
of  immediate  profit.  We  can  only  say  in  a  general 
way  to  those  who  contemplate   showing  that  we 


a 
a 

O  O 

ffld 


•     O 

^>; 

00  V2 

to 


THE   LAMP    OF   EXPEKIENCE  805 

advise  the  feeding  and  exhibition  of  young  animals 
of  one's  own  breeding.  It  takes  considerable  cap- 
ital to  engage  successfully  in  the  general  herd  com- 
petitions, but  any  good  breeder  may  find  it  to  his 
advantage  to  exhibit  from  time  to  time  calves  or 
yearlings  illustrating  his  own  work.  Young  animals 
thus  fitted  are  not  necessarily  injured  for  the  future. 
Young  bulls  have  to  be  well  "done''  in  any  event 
until  they  approach  maturity,  and  as  for  the  heifers, 
if  they  are  settled  to  a  service  at  from  twenty  to 
twenty-four  months  of  age  and  returned  to  pasture 
after  being  shown,  there  is  no  reason  why  they 
should  fail  to  become  thereafter  regular  breeders  in 
the  herd.  Until  show-yard  judges  are  content  with 
less  fat  it  is  certainly  the  part  of  wisdom  for  the 
average  breeder  to  limit  his  showing  to  young  cattle. 
This  latter  practice  we  believe  to  be  a  very  effective 
means  of  bringing  one's  stock  before  the  attention  of 
buyers. 

Selling  the  surplus. — The  matter  of  disposing  of 
surplus  stock,  touched  upon  in  the  preceding  para- 
graphs, is  one  of  vital  interest.  The  manner  of  pro- 
cedure will  vary  according  to  the  character  of  dif- 
ferent herds.  Those  who  have  purchased  high- 
priced  foundation  stock,  representing  the  most  fash- 
ionable bloods  and  show-yard  strains,  will  naturally 
make  a  bid  for  the  business  of  the  leading  pro- 
fessional breeders.  Those  who  contemplate  breed- 
ing from  what  are  called  "top"  cattle  will  find  the 
show-yard,  the  live-stock  press  and  the  art  pictorial 


806  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

all  necessary  factors  in  success.  In  other  words, 
those  who  expect  to  supply  high-class  bulls  to  head 
the  best  contemporary  herds  must  do  whatever  is 
necessary  to  demonstrate  their  right  to  such  desir- 
able patronage.  On  the  other  hand,  those  who  es- 
tablish themselves  with  a  view  toward  supplying 
young  bulls  to  farmers  and  ranchmen — who,  as  a 
rule,  cannot  be  expected  to  pay  large  prices — will 
not  need  to  incur  so  much  expense  in  the  matter  of 
advertising.  In  considering  the  question  of  the  class 
of  trade  to  be  cultivated,  breeders  should  not  over- 
look the  fact  that  it  costs  but  little  more  to  grow  a 
Short-horn  worth  from  $300  to  $500  than  it  does  to 
mature  one  worth  $100.  We  are  speaking,  of  course, 
of  the  mere  expense  of  feeding  and  handling.  As  a 
general  proposition,  therefore,  quality  rather  than 
quantity  should  be  the  aim. 

The  public  sale  system  as  a  means  of  disposing  of 
surplus  stock  has  been  popular  among  stock-breed- 
ers from  the  earliest  periods.  Indeed,  it  has  many 
advantages  both  for  the  bu3^er  and  seller.  It  enables 
a  breeder  in  one  day  to  make  a  complete  clearance 
of  his  surplus  for  the  entire  year,  relieving  him  of 
the  burden  of  much  correspondence  necessarily  en- 
tailed by  a  system  of  private  sales.  It  is  an  advan- 
tage to  the  buyer  because  he  is  given  the  choice  of 
a  large  number  of  animals  of  different  ages  and 
sexes  at  a  price  representing  the  judgment  of  his 
fellow  breeders  present,  A  fairly-conducted  auction 
is  on  this  latter  account  a  safe  place  for  a  new  be- 


FAIR   QUEEN.   CHAMriOX   FEMALE   AT  THE    AMERICAN   SHOWS 
OF   1904. 


THE    LAMP    OF    EXPEEIEXCE  807 

ginner  to  make  investments.  He  has  the  satisfaction 
of  knowing  that  he  is  making  his  purchases  at  prices 
which  are  virtually  fixed  by  the  breeders  in  attend- 
ance. As  a  rule  these  auction  sales  of  Short-horns 
are  conducted  in  absolute  good  faith.  By-bidding, 
the  protection  of  the  price  of  animals  through  ma- 
nipulation by  the  seller,  has  been  effectually  dis- 
countenanced by  the  adoption  of  a  high  standard  of 
business  morality  and  principle  in  connection  with 
the  management  of  most  of  these  sales.  Anything 
savoring  of  fraud  in  any  shape,  form  or  manner  re- 
ceives such  speedy  condemnation  that  there  is  no  en- 
couragement for  dishonesty. 

About  animal  portraiture. — The  illustrations  in 
this  volume  will  afford  a  fair  idea  of  the  progress 
that  has  been  made  in  this  line  since  the  days  of 
''The  White  Heifer  That  Traveled.^'  The  repro- 
ductions used  in  this  work  are  mainly  from  drawings 
made  by  various  artists  of  reputation  on  both  sides 
the  Atlantic.  Near  the  end  may  be  seen  some  of  the 
latest  work  of  the  camera.  It  will  be  observed  that 
in  the  old-style  pictures  there  is  marked  exaggera- 
tion in  the  matter  of  over-refinement  of  the  extremi- 
ties, at  the  same  time  the  pictures  give,  in  a  general 
way,  a  correct  idea  as  to  the  main  points  of  differ- 
ence in  the  make-up  of  animals  representing  the 
leading  breed  types.  Animal  photography  as  applied 
specially  to  the  beef  breeds  of  cattle  may  be  said  to 
be  still  in  its  infancy,  but  substantial  progress  in 
that  art  is  being  made.    From  this  fact  we  are  led 


808  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

to  indulge  the  hope  that  we  may  hand  down  to  fu- 
ture generations  likenesses  of  present-day  cattle 
which  shall  be  more  lifelike  than  our  delineation 
of  the  old-time  celebrities. 

Tribal  designation. — This  is  a  problem  that  puz- 
zles many  new  beginners  in  Short-horn  breeding. 
All  who  engage  in  the  business  are  anxious  to  ac- 
quire as  quickly  as  possible  a  knowledge  which  will 
enable  them  to  determine  the  line  of  descent  repre- 
sented by  any  given  pedigree  without  having  to 
undertake  an  extended  herd-book  examination.  In 
regard  to  this  we  can  only  say  there  is  no  ''short 
cuf  to  this  form  of  knowledge.  The  ability  to 
''read''  at  a  glance  any  given  pedigree  only  comes 
as  a  result  of  years  of  herd-book  research. 

The  division  of  Short-horns  into  families  or  tribes 
is  purely  arbitrary,  and  while  the  existing  system 
of  tribal  nomenclature  is  perhaps  as  convenient  as 
any  that  could  be  devised,  yet,  as  has  been  pointed 
out  on  page  99  of  this  volume,  it  is  entirely  mis- 
leading so  far  as  conveying  any  adequate  idea  of  the 
real  blood  elements  is  concerned.  The  family  names 
are  all  derived  from  some  one  or  more  of  the  ances- 
tresses in  the  direct  maternal  line.  Aside  from  cattle 
belonging  to  the  Bates,  Booth  or  Cruickshank  tribes, 
our  American  families  of  Short-horns  usually  bear 
the  name  of  the  imported  cow  to  which  they  trace 
on  the  side  of  the  dam.  Those  who  study  tlie  history 
of  Killerby,  Warlaby,  Kirklevington  and  Sittyton 
will  soon  be  able  to  recognize  pedigrees  running  di- 


THE    LAMP    OF    EXPERIENCE  809 

rect  to  those  celebrated  herds.  There  are  some  cat- 
tle in  the  American  Herd  Book,  descended  from  cows 
recorded  by  Mr.  Allen  in  the  early  days,  that  do  not 
trace  in  the  maternal  line  to  any  known  imported 
cow.  Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  these  animals 
now  present  pedigrees  showing  a  succession  of  regis- 
tered sires  entitling  them  to  rank  as  well-bred  Short- 
horns, the  partisans  of  the  more  fashionable  sorts 
speak  of  them  as  tracing  to  the  *^  American  woods.'' 

There  is  only  one  way  of  ascertaining  definitely 
the  blood  actually  present  in  any  given  pedigree  and 
that  is  by  a  complete  tabulation  of  it.  Too  much  at- 
tention is  paid  by  breeders  generally  to  those  tribal 
distinctions.  The  blood  of  the  original  animals  that 
gave  their  names  to  these  various  families  was  long 
ago  buried  deep  under  subsequent  crosses,  and  while 
it  is  of  course  well  to  have  a  pedigree  soundly  an- 
chored at  the  base  the  ''top"  breeding  is  of  vastly 
greater  relative  importance. 

Dignity  of  the  breeder's  calling. — The  sculptor 
lures  from  the  solid  marble  images  of  grace,  beauty 
or  strength  that  provoke  the  plaudits  of  the  world. 
His  contact  with  his  work  is  direct.  In  calling  from 
stone  the  creatures  of  his  own  conception  the  figures 
may  be  shaped  at  will.  A  Phidias  or  a  Canova  lifts 
the  veil  from  his  superb  handiwork  and  gains  a  place 
in  the  gallery  of  immortals.  Compared  with  him 
who  has  the  power  to  conceive  an  ideal  animal  form 
and  call  it  into  life  through  a  profound  knowledge 
of  Nature's  intricate  and  hidden  laws,  the  greatest 


810  A  HISTORY   OF   SHOET-HORN   CATTLE 

sculptor  is  a  mere  mechanic.  There  is  no  higher 
form  of  art  than  that  which  deals  with  the  intelli- 
gent manipulation  of  animal  life;  the  modeling  of 
living,  breathing  creatures  in  accordance  with  the 
wull  and  purpose  of  a  guiding  mind.  It  rises  in  its 
boundless  possibilities  to  heights  that  are  fairly  God- 
like. It  sounds  the  depths  of  the  profoundest  mys- 
teries of  physical  existence,  verging  on  the  borders 
of  the  Infinite  itself.  The  world  of  human  endeavor 
presents  no  nobler  field  of  action,  no  realm  of 
thought  demanding  a  higher  order  of  ability.  And 
yet  how  many  of  those  who  assume  the  responsibility 
of  marring  or  making  these  wondrous  creations  of 
flesh  and  blood  approach  the  work  with  any  ade- 
quate preparation  or  appreciation  of  the  real  breadth 
and  depth  of  the  propositions  with  which  they  will 
have  to  deal!  It  is  not  a  task  to  be  lightly  under- 
taken, if  one  means  to  deal  fairly  by  the  helpless 
forms  confided  to  his  care.  If  we  could  but  impress 
this  thought  indelibly  upon  the  minds  of  those  who 
engage  in  this  most  fascinating  pursuit  there  would 
be  more  noble  creations  and  fewer  wrecks  along  the 
paths  of  the  stock  breeding  of  the  future  than  in  the 
past.  Failure  to  grasp  the  fundamental  idea  that 
the  breeder's  calling  entails  duties  and  responsibili- 
ties which  no  man  can  conscientiously  ignore  lies  at 
the  bottom  of  failures  innumerable. 

The  future. — The  dawn  of  the  new  century  pre- 
sents a  most  attractive  field  for  those  who  undertake 
to  conscientiously  promote  the  best  interests  of  the 


THE    LAMP    OF    EXPERIENCE 


811 


Short-horn  breed.  We  have  seen  that  at  regular 
intervals  men  possessing  original  creative  power 
have  made  a  world-wide  name  and  fame  for  them- 
selves in  this  line  of  work;  but  with  all  due  respect 
to  what  these  great  minds  have  accomplished,  it  is 
folly  to  say  that  all  knowledge  and  skill  in  connec- 
tion with  Short-horn  breeding  perished  with  them. 
What  has  been  done  in  the  past  can  be  repeated  in 
the  future,  but  the  triumphs  of  the  twentieth  cen- 
tury await  not  those  who  are  servile  imitators,  but 
the  worthy  ones  who  have  the  necessary  courage  to 
undertake  the  development  along  independent  lines 
of  the  tribes  of  Short-horns  which  shall  engage  the 
attention  of  the  historians  of  the  days  to  come. 


APPENDIX 
'^THE  STUDY  OF  SHORT-HORN  HISTORY  '' 

AN    ADDRESS   BY   ALVIN    H.    SAXDERS   BEFORE    THE    CENTRAL    SHORT-HORN 
BREEDERS'    ASSOCIATION,    AT   KANSAS    CITY,   JAN.    30,    1901. 

It  is  always  interesting  to  trace  the  beginnings  of  any  great 
power.  They  are  digging  to-day  in  the  ruins  of  the  Roman 
Forum  for  relics  that  may  throw  additional  light  upon  the  origin 
of  the  ancient  city  "that  from  her  throne  of  beauty  ruled  the 
world."  Some  months  ago  I  spent  a  day  watching  these  work- 
men at  their  toil.  I  saw  a  broken  piece  of  marble  loosened  by  a 
pick— a  mere  fragment  of  no  value  in  itself,  but  which  I  ob- 
served was  carved  upon  one  side  with  all  the  accuracy  and 
delicacy  for  which  the  stone-cutters  and  sculptors  of  2,000  years 
ago  were  famous.  My  guide  obtained  this  for  me  and  I  have  it 
in  my  rooms  to-day,  a  souvenir  with  which  I  would  not  willingly 
part.  I  often  take  it  up  and  study  it.  Why?  There  are  thou- 
sands of  fragments  of  greater  size  and  of  more  practical  value 
to  be  had  about  any  quarry  in  the  land.  Why,  then,  does  so 
much  interest  attach  to  that  particular  piece  of  stone?  Simply 
because  the  level  from  which  it  was  exhumed  renders  it  certain 
that  it  once  formed  a  part  of  a  capital  or  cornice  that  orna- 
mented some  arch  or  temple  that  had  looked  down  upon  the 
pomp  and  pageantry  of  the  Pagan  Emperors.  It  had  gone  down 
centuries  later  in  the  sacking  and  burning  of  Rome  by  Northern 
barbarians.  History,  in  short,  had  set  its  seal  upon  that  bit  of 
marble,  giving  it,  to  me  at  least,  a  value  and  an  interest  all  its 
own.  So  much  for  the  effect  that  associations  have  in  this 
world  in  fixing  our  ideas  of  values. 

We  all  prize  family  heirlooms  handed  down  from  generations 
that  have  gone  before.  An  old  clock,  or  chest;  a  piece  of  plate, 
a  picture  that  speaks  to  us  of  other  days,  we  will  not  exchange, 

813 


814  A   HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORX   CATTLE 

if  we  are  wise,  for  any  new  design  a  tradesman  might  submit. 
You  may  call  this  sentiment  if  you  like,  but  it  exists  neverthe- 
less to  a  greater  or  less  degree  in  every  human  breast,  and  to 
my  mind  adds  an  element  of  pleasure  to  this  work-a-day  world 
that  we  ought  never  to  ignore. 

An  article  with  a  history  is  a  source  of  unfailing  pleasure 
and  interest  provided  you  know  the  history.  The  Short-horn 
breed  of  cattle  is  such  a  product.  Round  about  its  record  there 
is  entwined  a  story  which,  once  known,  throws  an  indefinable 
charm  about  each  and  every  herd;  a  story  which,  beginning  sev- 
eral centuries  ago  in  the  little  valley  of  the  rives  Tees,  ends  only 
in  your  own  pastures,  by  your  own  fireside;  a  story  bristling 
with  great  personal  triumphs;  replete  with  stirring  scenes; 
abounding  in  benefits  conferred  upon  the  farming  world;  a  story 
of  great  deeds  performed  in  the  arts  of  peace;  a  story  which  in- 
vests the  breeding  of  Short-horn  cattle  with  a  dignity  that  gives 
your  profession  rank  with  the  most  honorable  pursuits  of  man. 
To  me  this  story  has  ever  possessed  a  peculiar  fascination.  It 
seems  indeed  to  me  the  one  romance  of  live-stock  history;  the 
humble  beginning;  the  long  years  of  incubation  and  patient  ex- 
perimentation; the  dawn  of  popularity;  the  great  victories;  the 
occupation  of  two  continents;  the  dazzling  values  of  the  seven- 
ties; the  rivalries  of  great  breeders  and  exhibitors;  the  era  of 
unparalleled  speculation;  the  plunge  into  the  depths  of  depres- 
sion; the  purification  wrought  by  the  fires  of  adversity;  the 
struggle  with  contending  breeds,  and  last  but  not  least  the  sun- 
shine of  present  day  prosperity.  There  are  pictures  to  be  seen 
in  this  panorama  that  ought  to  have  a  place  in  the  mind  of  every 
man  who  breeds  or  feeds  a  Short-horn.  There  are  inspirations 
to  be  gathered  from  a  study  of  the  past  that  will  prove  the  pre- 
lude to  present  and  future  success. 

I  do  not  see  how  any  man  can  become  an  owner  of  Short- 
horn cattle  without  wishing  to  familiarize  himself  with  the  his- 
tory of  the  breed.  I  do  not  see  how  any  man  can  undertake 
the  breeding  of  Short-horns  without  informing  himself  thorough- 
ly as  to  the  ancestry  of  the  cattle  with  which  he  proposes  to 
work.  I  do  not  believe  any  man  ever  acquired  genuine  enthu- 
siasm in  this  field  until  he  had  first  mastered  the  main  facts  re- 
lating to  the  careers  of  the  great  breeders  and  herdsmen  of  the 


APPENDIX  815 

past.  I  do  not  believe  that  the  average  breeder  begins  to  ap- 
preciate how  much  it  would  add  to  his  pleasure  and  profit  to  be 
able  to  trace  step  by  step  the  progress  of  the  Short-horn  in  Great 
Britain  and  America  in  order  that  he  might  define  clearly  the 
true  relations  of  his  own  cattle  to  the  breed  at  large. 

*     *     * 

For  upwards  of  twenty  years  I  have  been  searching  the  high- 
ways and  by-ways  of  this  most  extraordinary  history  with  an 
ever-increasing  interest  and  with  a  steadily  widening  apprecia- 
tion of  the  fact  that  there  is  good  to  be  found  upon  every  page 
of  the  English  and  American  herd  books.  I  defy  any  fair-minded 
man  to  follow  faithfully  the  record  of  the  breed  for  the  past  cen- 
tury and  at  the  end  pronounce  himself  a  partisan  of  any  one 
tribe,  any  one  group  of  tribes  or  of  any  one  section.  I  contend 
that  the  conscientious  study  of  Short-horn  history  will  do  this 
for  any  honest  owner  of  cattle  of  this  breed — it  will  make  a 
Short-horn  man  in  the  highest  and  best  sense  of  the  word  even 
of  those  who  have  become  enslaved  by  fads  and  fashions.  It  will 
lift  him  out  of  the  narrow  slough  of  this,  that,  or  the  other  whim 
into  which  he  may  have  fallen,  into  the  bright  sunlight  of  rea- 
son and  common  sense.  There  is  nothing  like  scaling  a  height 
if  we  would  make  a  rational  study  of  the  plain  below.  There  is 
nothing  like  knowledge  to  dispel  the  clouds  of  ignorance.  There 
is  nothing  like  strolling  beyond  the  narrow  confines  of  our  own 
little  horizon  to  discover  what  lies  in  the  great  world  beyond.  In 
the  language  of  Scotland's  bard,  "It  wad  frae  mony  a  blunder 
free  us,  and  foolish  notion."  This,  then,  is  the  message  I  would 
bring  to  you  here  to-day — the  broadening,  steadying  influence 
that  flows  from  familiarity  with  the  actual  accomplishments  of 
the  past.  That  is  the  one  great  point,  as  I  take  it,  to  be  gained 
from  a  study  of  Short-horn  history.  This  same  idea  has  recently 
been  well  expressed  by  Mr.  Richard  Gibson  in  the  following 
language : 

"No  one  can  really  expect  to  derive  all  the  pleasure  and  sat- 
isfaction that  is  to  be  found  in  breeding  Shorthorns  unless  con- 
versant with  the  history  of  each  family  of  his  herd  and  the 
breeders  thereof.  Once  becoming  interested  he  will  read  of  other 
families  and  other  breeders,  thus  enlarging  his  ideas  and  broad- 
ening his  view  so  that  he  may  be  led  out  of  a  narrow  groove  and 


816  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

say  'not  Bates  nor  Booth,  nor  Cruickshank  nor  Knightley  make 
Short-horns,  but  a  happy  combination  of  the  lot.'  " 

*     *     * 

The  study  of  Short-horn  history  enables  the  breeder  to 
interpret  intelligently  the  pedigrees  of  his  cattle.  If  he  really 
wants  to  know  what  blood  is  actually  in  his  herd  he  will  have 
the  breeding  tabulated.  This  will  spread  before  his  eye  a  record 
of  the  ancestry  which  will  mean  much  or  little  to  him  just  in 
proportion  to  his  knowledge  of  the  history  of  the  breed.  Are 
there  animals  of  note  or  breeders  of  distinction  revealed  by  that 
tabulation?  To  what  tribe  or  group  of  tribes  do  the  various 
animals  belong?  Through  whose  hands  have  they  come?  Where 
does  the  line  of  descent  pass  from  Britain  to  America?  What 
was  the  character  of  the  cattle  contributing  the  predominating 
blood?  These  and  a  hundred  other  queries  must  arise  in  the 
mind  of  every  intelligent  and  enterprising  man.  A  knowledge 
of  the  history  of  the  breed  is  therefore  of  practical  every-day 
service  in  estimating  relative  values  of  pedigrees.  This  alone 
should  stimulate  every  buyer  and  seller  to  acquire  all  the  infor- 
mation possible  from  the  past  records  of  the  breed.  There  is 
another  incentive  to  those  who  seek  pleasure  as  well  as  profit 
in  Short-horn  breeding — the  acquiring  of  a  bond  of  fellowship 
or  communion  with  the  great  characters  developed  by  the  trade. 
You  should  be  proud  to  be  affiliated  with  such  a  fraternity  and 
glory  in  its  achievements.  Speaking  for  myself  I  count  it  one  of 
the  great  privileges  of  my  life  to  have  enjoyed  during  the  past 
twenty  years  the  acquaintance  and  friendship  of  most  of  those 
who  have  been  active  in  this  line  of  work.  Soon  after  that 
memorable  day  at  New  York  Mills  when  England  and  America 
joined  in  working  out  a  tribute  to  the  Short-horn  breed  such  as 
has  never  been  paid  to  any  other  variety  of  improved  domestic 
animals  since  the  world  began,  I  took  up  a  quest  for  knowledge 
as  to  the  great  breeders  and  herdsmen,  and  of  the  great  individual 
animals  of  the  breed,  that  is  still  being  pursued  with  no  abate- 
ment of  interest;  a  quest  which  has  led  me  upon  many  an  ex- 
tended pilgrimage  throughout  that  vast  agricultural  empire  com- 
prised within  the  corn-and-blue-grass-growing  regions  of  the 
United  States;  a  quest  which  has  drawn  me  across  the  seas  to 
the  ancestral  home  of  the  breed  in  York  and  Durham;  that  has 


APPENDIX  817 

taken  me  to  the  tomb  of  Thos.  Bates;  through  the  fair  and  fertile 
fields  of  Warlaby;  to  the  vine-clad  walls  of  Sittyton,  and  to  the 
gates  of  two  Royal  English  Shows;  a  quest  that  has  sustained 
me  through  weary  days  of  note-book  work  at  Short-horn  compe- 
titions, and  which,  best  of  all,  has  afforded  many  golden  hours  of 
delightful  converse  about  the  firesides  of  men  who  have  been 
an  honor  to  the  profession  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic;  and  the 
more  I  learn  of  the  story  the  more  inspiring  it  becomes.  Once  in 
touch  with  the  real  spirit  of  the  theme  there  is  simply  no  re- 
sisting its  subtle  charm. 

One  day  in  the  month  of  June  some  years  ago  one  of  Eng- 
land's foremost  cattle  judges  and  one  of  America's  most  gifted 
followers  of  the  fortunes  of  the  "red,  white  and  roan"  were  my 
companions  on  a  little  journey  to  the  birthplace  of  the  breed.  I  re- 
member that  we  tarried  awhile  at  a  quiet  wayside  inn  at  the  lit- 
tle hamlet  of  Kirklevington,  musing  upon  the  scenes  recalled 
by  the  historic  spots  that  we  had  visited.  In  fancy  we  restored 
to  the  market  places  of  Yarm  and  Darlington  that  sturdy  com- 
pany of  earnest  men  that  made  the  grand  old  breed.  There  were 
two  brothers,  Charles  and  Robert,  who  had  brought  in  from 
the  pastures  of  Ketton  and  Barm.pton  specimens  of  the  newly  im- 
proved Teeswater  type.  A  great  throng  of  landlords  and  tenant 
farmers  from  far  and  near  gathered  about  a  monstrous  Colling 
bullock  called  The  Durham  Ox.  In  the  press  we  recognize  an 
honest  Yorkshire  squire  who  is  addressed  as  Booth  of  Killerby. 
Yonder  is  a  certain  Christopher  Mason  of  Chilton  and  one  Mayn- 
ard  of  Eryholme.  We  notice  too  a  young  man  with  a  keen  eye 
listening  to  the  talk  of  his  elders  and  studying  closely  the  cattle 
to  be  seen  in  the  village  street.  It  is  "Tommy"  Bates,  then  of 
Northumberland.  The  day  is  spent  in  buying  and  selling,  in 
comparing  notes  as  to  how  the  new  breed  is  coming  on,  and  all 
at  last  adjourn  to  the  tap  room  of  the  Black  Bull  inn  to  pledge  a 
health  in  foaming  mugs  of  brown  October  ale  to  the  success  of 
the  new-born  breed.  Such  is  the  opening  chapter  of  modern 
Short-horn  history. 

The  scene  changes.  A  patient  plodding  figure  mounted  on 
an  old  white  nag  rides  the  winding  roadways  of  Yorkshire.  Now 
and  then  he  stops  at  farm  houses  along  his  route.     Day  after 


818 


A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 


day  he  may  be  seen.  Night  after  night  he  writes  and  writes  and 
wrestles  with  notes  and  data  bearing  upon  the  genealogy  of  the 
herds  that  are  contributing  to  the  formation  of  the  now  well- 
recognized  and  rapidly-increasing  breed  known  as  the  "Improved 
Short-horn."  He  is  helped  by  some;  hindered  by  others.  It  is 
Geo.  Coates  of  Great  Smeaton,  father  of  Short-horn  pedigree  reg- 
istration. Discouraged  at  first  he  at  last  enlists  the  sympathies 
of  Jonas  Whitaker  of  Otley  and  the  English  Short-horn  Herd 
Book  is  set  upon  its  feet. 

Time  passes.  Killerby  and  Kirklevington  are  the  Short-horn 
capitals.  The  genius  of  two  of  the  greatest  cattle  breeders  the 
world  has  ever  known  has  worked  wonders  since  that  October 
day  in  1810  when  under  the  lime  trees  at  Ketton,  Colling's  Comet 
was  sold  amidst  a  scene  of  wild  enthusiasm  for  1,000  guineas. 
The  Yorkshire  and  Royal  shows  are  organized.  Bracelet,  Necklace, 
Duchess  34th,  the  Oxford  Premium  Cow  and  the  Duke  of  North- 
umberland come  forward  as  a  revelation.  The  friendly  contests 
of  John  Booth  and  Mr.  Bates  at  these  early  shows  stir  agricul- 
tural England  to  its  very  depths.  Such  cattle  had  never  before 
been  shown  to  the  public.  Possibly  they  have  never  since  been 
surpassed. 

From  Killerby  we  follow  Richard  Booth  to  Studley  and  War- 
laby  and  try  to  conjure  up  the  massive  figures  of  Isabella  and  of 
Anna,  or  dream  of  those  paragons  of  bovine  beauty,  the  Magnifi- 
cent Blossoms,  Brides  and  Queens.  Old  "Cuddy"  and  Crown 
Prince  and  Lady  Fragrant  are  but  a  memory,  and  yet  how  their 
names  still  shine  on  high  in  the  Short-horn  firmament!  How  the 
blood  bred  on  at  Torr's  and  at  Lady  Pigot's,  with  Barnes  of 
Westland,  with  Raymond  Bruere,  John  Outhwaite  and  Hugh 
Aylmer  of  West  Dereham  Abbey!  How  its  vivifying  influence 
was  felt  in  the  Grand  Duchesses,  the  Duchesses  of  Airdrie  and  the 
Sittyton  tribes!  How  it  electrified  America  in  the  forms  of 
Rosedale  and  Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster!    Substance,  flesh,  beef! 

A  broad  stream  flows  out  from  the  rolling  pastures  of  Kirk- 
levington— Tortworth,  Thorndale,  Holker  Hall,  Geneva,  and  New 
York  Mills!  Woodburn,  Hillhurst,  Dunmore,  Towneley,  Bow 
Park,  Underley,  Audley  End,  and  Berkeley  Castle;  percolating 
through  the  entire  breed,  impressing  the  seal  of  refinement  and 
elegance  upon  all  it  touches!  Quality,  level  lines,  milk,  and 
heads  and  faces  that  fairly  defy  the  powers  of  art! 


APPENDIX  819 

The  North  of  Scotland  awakens.  Robertson  and  Rennie,  Bar- 
clay, Hay,  Grant  Duff,  Gen.  Simson,  Hutcheson,  Sir  William  Stir- 
ling Maxwell,  Amos  and  Anthony  Cruickshank  carry  the  gospel 
of  a  new  agriculture  beyond  the  River  Tweed.  Campbell,  Marr, 
Douglas,  the  Bruces,  Syme,  Mitchell,  Longmore,  Lovat,  Buccleuch! 
Polwarth,  Duthie  and  the  rest  make  Scotch  Short-horns  renowned 
throughout  the  cattle-breeding  world.  Sittyton  acquires  a  fame 
second  only  to  that  of  Warlaby  and  Kirklevington;  the  credit  of 
establishing  a  rent-paying,  quick-feeding  type  that  fairly  saved 
a  breed  suffering  from  all  the  evils  of  over-indulgence  in  favorite 
bloods. 

*     *     * 

I  stood  one  day  at  the  spot  where  the  luxuriant  Kentucky 
blue-grass  runs  riot  about  the  grave  of  Abram  Renick,  and  here 
again  a  past  that  was  brimming  with  brilliant  pictures  was  re- 
called—the story  of  the  Short-horn  in  the  Ohio  Valley  States. 

First  we  see  the  beautiful  woodland  pastures  of  Southern 
Central  Ohio  and  Central  Kentucky  filled  with  great  wide-backed 
bullocks,  red,  red-and-white,  white,  and  roan,  converting  corn  and 
grass  into  prime  beef  for  seaboard  markets.  They  are  driven  by 
hundreds  on  foot  through  the  winding  defiles  of  the  Alleghanies 
to  Baltimore,  Philadelphia  or  New  York,  and  well  filled  wallets 
are  brought  back  to  found  the  fortunes  of  leading  Ohio  Valley 
families.  The  big,  thrifty,  profitable  cattle  were  the  Pattons  and 
the  "Seventeens"— the  descendants  of  which  for  half  a  century 
held  their  own  against  the  more  fashionably-bred  herd-book  stock 
produced  by  the  later  importations.  They  were  in  all  human 
probability  as  grand  specimens  of  the  breed  as  this  country  has 
ever  known. 

Next  we  note  the  monumental  missionary  work  of  Walter 
Dun,  Col.  Powel,  the  Ohio  and  Kentucky  Importing  Companies 
and  of  that  greatest  of  all  patrons  of  American  agriculture,  Rob- 
ert Aitcheson  Alexander.  Red  Rose,  Caroline  and  Daisy;' Rose 
of  Sharon,  Young  Mary,  Young  Phyllis;  Josephine,  Illustrious, 
Harriet,  Gem,  Lady  Elizabeth,  Goodness,  Mazurka  and  Constance;' 
the  Louans,  the  Loudon  Duchesses,  the  Brides  and  the  Dukes  and 
Duchesses  of  Airdrie!  Britain  has  a  great  galaxy  of  names  upon 
the  Short-horn  registry  of  fame,  but  America  points  with  pride 
to  the  fact  that  the  Duns,  the  Renicks,  the  V^arfields,  the  Bed- 
fords,   the   Vanmeters,   the   Duncans,   the   Alexanders   and   their 


820  A   HISTORY   OF    SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

contemporaries,  East  and  West,  have  had  few  superiors  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Atlantic  as  actual  producers  of  high-class  cat- 
tle. And  how  lavishly  the  Ohio  Valley  States  dealt  out  their 
treasures  to  the  newer  West!  With  Sweepstakes  and  Minister 
and  General  Grant,  Pickrell,  Duncan  and  Spears  fairly  set  the 
Western  prairies  on  fire  for  Short-horns.  Capt.  James  N.  Brown, 
the  elder  Leonard,  Gen.  Meredith,  Thos.  Wilhoit,  Timothy  Day, 
John  G.  Cowan,  Col,  William  S.  King,  John  Wentworth,  John  D. 
Gillett  and  a  host  of  other  able  and  enterprising  men  brought 
the  Short-horn  home  at  last  to  the  hearts  of  the  Western  people. 

*     *     * 

When  Rip  Van  Winkle  wandered  back  to  his  native  haunts  on 
the  Hudson  after  his  fabled  sleep  of  twenty  years  on  the  moun- 
tain not  a  single  soul  in  the  peaceful  village  of  Falling  Water 
gave  him  greeting.  "Did  you  never  hear  of  Rip  Van  Winkle?" 
the  poor  old  vagrant  asks  in  vain.  None  had  any  recollection  of 
such  an  individual.  Philosophizing  then  upon  the  fleeting  charac- 
ter of  mundane  reputation  he  sounds  the  very  depths  of  human 
pathos — "Are  we  indeed  so  soon  forgotten  when  we're  gone?  If 
my  tog  Schneider  vas  here,  vhy  he  would  know  me."  But  "Schnei- 
der" too  is  no  longer  even  a  memory  in  the  streets. 

My  friends,  how  easy  it  is  to  forget,  even  in  the  practical 
business  of  breeding  Short-horn  cattle!  How  little  we  know^  and 
how  little  most  of  us  care  about  the  men  who  carried  forward 
to  sale-ring  and  show-yard  triumphs  the  colors  of  the  "Red, 
Vv'hite  and  Roan"  even  so  recently  as  twenty  years  ago!  What 
little  regard  we  seem  to  have  for  the  memories  of  those  who  be- 
queathed to  the  present  generation  of  men  the  breed  of  which 
we  are  all  so  proud,  and  with  what  supreme  indifference  many 
of  us  ignore  their  wisest  teachings!  We  live  in  a  busy  age.  We 
are  so  absorbed  in  working  out  the  problems  of  to-day  that  we 
have  little  thought  for  the  yesterdays.  We  seem  to  believe  that 
no  one  else  ever  had  just  such  questions  to  solve  as  those  by 
which  we  ourselves  are  confronted,  and  that  it  is  therefore  idle 
to  appeal  to  the  past  for  direction  in  the  present.  But  it  is  not 
so.  A  great  Virginian  once  said  upon  a  memorable  occasion: 
"There  is  but  one  light  by  which  my  feet  are  guided  and  that  is 
by  the  lamp  of  experience."  The  men  who  have  made  the  Short- 
horn what  it  is — the  most  widely  disseminated  breed  of  improved 


APPENDIX  821 

cattle  the  world  has  ever  seen — have  left  behind  them  messages 
that  cannot  be  too  often  repeated.  Their  voices  call  to  you, 
men  of  the  present  day,  warning  against  pitfalls  that  beset  your 
path.  The  lights  of  a  century  of  experience  hang  all  about  you 
if  you  only  have  eyes  to  see. 

*     *     * 

There  are  several  very  striking  lessons  brought  home  to 
every  student  of  Short-horn  records.  One  of  the  most  impor- 
tant is  that  in-and-in  or  line-breeding  has  its  limitations  beyond 
which  the  greatest  masters  of  the  art  have  failed  of  farther  suc- 
cess. Another  lesson  is  that  the  right  use  of  the  principle  of 
blood  concentration  is  the  greatest  single  power  the  breeder  can 
employ  and  that  judiciously  applied  it  has  yielded  the  great 
successes  of  Short-horn  history.  Is  this  most  potential  factor 
being  properly  and  profitably  used  at  the  present  time?  To  this 
query  I  feel  inclined  to  return  a  most  emphatic  negative.  You 
have  marked  down  and  put  upon  the  bargain  counter  most  of 
the  elements  to  which  the  principle  of  in-breeding  might  now 
be  satisfactorily  applied.  You  are  working  generally  with  in- 
struments that  have  already  been  steeled  to  such  a  fine  edge  in 
the  furnace  of  close-breeding  that  they  are  in  many  cases  be- 
coming frail  and  peculiarly  liable  to  mishaps.  There  are  val- 
uable ores  lying  all  around  you  waiting  for  the  touch  of  the 
refining  flame  that  may  call  them  into  popularity.  You  talk 
much  of  Booth,  of  Bates,  of  Cruickshank  and  the  elder  Renick 
and  at  the  same  time  make  little  effort  to  follow  their  practices. 
They  set  to  work  to  build  their  fame  by  the  use  of  the  best 
material  afforded  by  the  entire  breed,  throwing  in  the  cement 
of  in-breeding  after  they  had  attained  a  certain  point.  Their 
work  was  original  and  creative.  They  were  constructors,  build- 
ers— not  servile  imitators.  Y/hy,  do  you  limit  your  efforts  so 
largely  to  experiments  upon  the  refractory  elements  of  the  in- 
bred strains  of  other  days? 

The  late  Mr.  Amos  Cruickshank  assured  me  personally  in 
1892  that  his  herd  had  been  in  want  of  re-invigoration  for  some 
years  prior  to  its  sale  to  the  Messrs.  Nelson  in  1889,  and  yet 
there  are  men  here  in  the  West  in  this  year  of  our  Lord  1901 
boasting  of  their  "pure  Cruickshanks,"  as  if  some  element  of 
special  superiority  attached  to  that  which  may  be  in  reality  a 


823  A  HISTOKY  OF  SHORT'HOBX  CATTLE 

downright  objection.  New  beginners  who  have  yet  to  learn  the 
abc's  of  Short-horn  history  go  to  buy  a  bull  and  insist  upon 
having  none  but  a  "straight"  this  or  a  "straight"  that  when  bet- 
ter cattle  of  equally  good  or  even  better  breeding  might  be  had 
for  less  money.  If  there  are  any  such  here  I  hope  they  will 
tell  this  audience  why  it  is  that  they  commit  this  crime  against 
the  memories  and  the  teachings  of  the  very  men  in  whose  foot- 
steps they  seem  to  think  they  are  following  by  the  adoption  of 
this  course.  The  makers  of  Short-horn  history  did  not  do  busi- 
ness in  this  way. 

*     *     * 

What  we  need  above  everything  else  just  now  is  some  Moses 
to  lead  the  Short-horn  hosts  out  of  the  bondage  of  fads  and 
fashions.  Some  day,  somewhere,  some  time,  a  man  will  again 
engage  in  this  pursuit  who  will  have  the  necessary  courage  to 
show  the  way;  and  I  predict  here  and  now  that  his  'triumph 
will  be  as  complete  as  that  of  the  Booths  or  Bates  or  of  Cruick- 
shank.  He  will  be  a  real,  not  an  imaginary  follower  of  their 
methods.  He  may  use  much,  little,  or  none  of  the  prevailing 
popular  bloods.  He  will  go  up  and  down  the  Short-horn  world 
selecting  here  and  selecting  there  that  which  seems  likely  to 
contribute  towards  the  accomplishment  of  his  settled  purpose. 
He  will  then  probably  fuse  the  mass  by  blood  concentration  and 
his  name  will  be  given  to  a  type  that  will  become  the  new  idol 
of  the  Short-horn  cattle  breeding  fraternity.  History  repeats 
itsfelf.  What  has  been  done  can  be  done  again.  I  glory  in  the 
grit  of  the  man  here  in  this  State  to-day  who  is  pushing  "Casey's 
mixture."  He  stands  for  a  principle  which  if  steadily  and  in- 
telligently pursued  will  bring  new  laurels  to  the  temple  of  Short- 
horn fame. 

During  the  past  few  years  you  have  enlarged  your  vision  in 
respect  to  the  prevailing  fashionable  blood.  You  have  now 
thrown  the  doors  wide  open  to  all  Scotland.  Time  was  when 
you  thought  that  your  sires  should  run  direct  to  Sittyton,  or  if 
not  there  then  to  Kinellar  or  Uppermill,  and  a  little  later  you 
were  glad  to  have  them  trace  to  Collynie.  Now  anything  that 
looks  like,  doing  you  good — and  some  things  that  do  not  look 
so  promising — coming  from  any  farm  that  lies  between  Berwick 
Bridge  and  Inverness  goes  unquestioned  to  the  head  of  your 
herds  even  at  four  figures,  no  matter  what  its  breeding.     While 


APPENDIX  823 

I  claim  some  share  in  the  credit  of  building  the  fame  of  the 
Scotch  Short-horn  in  the  Central  West,  I  also  appeal  to  you  as 
men  of  sense  and  judgment  to  be  sane  and  reasonable.  I  appeal 
to  you  to  extend  that  same  catholic  spirit  which  you  are  now 
showing  to  Scotland,  to  the  herds  of  England,  and  above  all  to 
the  herds  of  your  own  country.  When  this  is  done,  and  not 
until  then,  you  will  begin  to  enter  in  my  judgment  upon  another 
great  chapter  in  Short-horn  history. 

Another  lesson  drawn  from  Short-horn  records  is  that  a  ma- 
jority of  all  the  greatest  show  and  breeding  cattle— account  be- 
ing taken  of  the  breed  on  both  sides  the  water — have  been  roans. 
I  do  not  believe  it  possible  to  sustain  the  true  Short-horn  thrift 
and  character  for  many  generations  without  resort  to  the  roan 
cattle.  Moreover  a  majority  of  the  most  impressive  sires  and 
show  bulls  known  to  the  American  trade  have  either  been  im- 
ported or  immediately  derived  from  old  country  herds— in  which 
roan  is  the  predominant  color.  Hence  1  am  inclined  to  question 
the  wisdom   of  restrictive   fees  upon   importations. 

William  Torr  of  Aylesby,  who  has  to  his  credit  the  greatest 
sale  of  cattle  of  one  man's  breeding  ever  made,  to-wit:  eighty- 
five  head  for  $243,145,  an  average  of  $2,860,  always  took  the 
position  that  it  required  not  less  than  thirty  years  of  persistent 
work  to  bring  a  herd  up  to  one's  ideas  as  to  what  a  Short-horn 
ought  to  be.  It  is  one  of  the  misfortunes  of  the  trade  in  the 
States  that  there  are  not  more  men  who  are  closely  wedded  to 
the  production  of  high  class  Short-horns  regardless  of  the  ups 
and  downs  of  the  business.  Of  the  buying  and  selling  of  cattle 
as  mere  merchandise  there  is  no  end,  but  those  who  have  left 
permanent  impress  upon  the  character  of  the  breed  were  ani- 
mated by  something  more  than  the  purely  commercial  spirit. 
Men  who  are  in  the  business  to-day  and  out  of  it  to-morrow; 
men  who  do  not  maintain  close  contact  with  and  who  have  no 
real  affection  for  their  cattle;  men  who  are  patrons  of  the  breed 
only  so  long  as  the  pathway  is  strewn  with  flowers,  are  not  the 
men  who  have  been  breed-makers,  breed-builders  and  breed- 
savers. 

The  members  of  this  association  should  feel  that  they  hold 
in  trust  for  the  farmers  and  rEinchmen  of  our  country  a  legacy 
that  is  beyond  all  price;  an  inheritance  the  integrity  of  which 
they   have   no   right   to   jeopardize    through   the   application    of 


824  A  HISTORY  OF   SHOET-HOEX   CATTLE 

practices  not  sanctioned  by  those  who  created  it.  Are  you  acting 
well  your  part?  That  is  a  question  for  each  and  every  one  to 
ask  himself  at  this  time.  Read  the  whole  story;  recall  the 
wonders  wrought  in  flesh  and  blood  by  others  in  your  calling; 
study  your  own  herd  and  ask  yourself:  Am  I  a  worthy  member 
of  this  fraternity  or  not?  Am  I  doing  honestly  all  I  can  to  help 
preserve  and  strengthen  the  cattle  in  my  keeping? 

It  is  indeed  well  to  know  all  we  can  of  Short-horn  history. 
It  is  better  still  to  contribute  something  useful  to  it. 


"WHAT'S  IN  A  NAME?'V 

ADDRESS  BY  ALVIN  H.  SANDERS  AT  THE  CENTRAL  SHORT-HORN  BREEDERS' 
CONVENTION   AT   ST.   JOSEPH,    MO.,   JAN.,    1904. 

The  query  put  to  me  by  your  Secretary  is  one  that  has  caused 
dissensions  among  men  from  time  immemorial.  It  was  centuries 
ago,  according  to  the  master  poet,  that  the  fair  hapless  Juliet 
answered  the  question  in  words  that  have  been  repeated  by  suc- 
cessive generations — "that  which  we  call  a  rose,  by  any  other 
name  would  smell  as  sweet."  The  feud  in  old  Verona  that  for- 
bade the  union  of  the  two  fond  lovers,  because  forsooth  one's 
name  was  Montague  and  the  other  Capulet,  has  many  parallels 
in  human  song  and  story.  Romeo  was  neither  the  first  nor  the 
last  man  to  discover  that  a  mere  name  may  prove  an  insurmount- 
able obstacle;  and  what  has  proved  so  true  in  human  affairs 
has  not  been  without  influence  upon  the  destinies  of  other  of 
God's  creatures.  Those  who  have  in  their  keeping  the  character 
and  reputation  of  one  of  the  most  useful  of  all  known  breeds  of 
domestic  animals — the  type  of  cattle  represented  in  the  herds  of 
the  members  of  this  association — have  attached  at  all  times 
much  significance  to  names;  justly  so  in  many  instances  but  to 
their  own  grievous  injury  in  others.  The  question,  therefore, 
of  the  extent  to  which  you,  as  Short-horn  breeders,  shall  lay 
stress  upon  mere  names  as  contrasted  with  more  substantial 
attributes  is  one  of  more  importance  than  would  at  first  appear. 

Entering  within  the  walls  of  the  Short-horn  world,  we  are 
struck  at  once  by  a  multiplicity  of  names.     We  are  told  that 


APPENDIX  825 

within  the  memory  of  those  still  living  there  was  civil  war 
among  factions  ostensibly  claiming  allegiance  to  the  same  flag. 
That  those  warring  clans  taking  each  the  name  of  some  great 
leader  sought  by  every  known  means  to  grasp  supreme  power 
and  hold  their  brothers  in  subjection.  It  was  in  many  cases 
a  war  of  extermination.  Whole  families  once  recognized  as  the 
very  flower  of  the  race  are  gone  from  the  roster  rolls  forever — 
victims  of  the  feuds  of  long  ago.  The  stranger  within  the  gates 
hears  the  names  of  Bates,  of  the  Booths,  of  Knightly,  of  "Alloy," 
of  Towneley,  of  Cruickshank,  of  Renick,  of  Dukes  and  Duchesses, 
of  Ohio  and  Kentucky  Roses  of  Sharon,  of  Princesses,  Josephines, 
Marys,  Phyllises,  "Seventeens,"  "Cox  importations,"  Red  Roses 
by  Ernesty,  "Woods"  and  hundreds  more.  He  hears  of  strange 
combinations  of  these  and  other  names,  such  as  Bell-Bate.?, 
Torr-Booth,  "pure"  this  and  "straight"  that;  he  hears  of  a  half 
dozen  different  varieties  of  Young  Marys,  Leslie,  Red  Rose, 
Flat  Creek,  Xalapa,  etc.,  etc.  He  hears  that  Duke  of  Airdrie 
(12730)  was  all  right  but  that  Duke  of  Airdrie  2743  was  all 
wrong.  He,  therefore,  imagines  that  he  is  in  a  labyrinth  from 
which  only  a  learned  antiquarian  can  extricate  him.  Happily 
these  names  for  the  most  part  relate  to  issues  and  matters  long 
since  relegated  to  the  limbo  of  things  which  were  but  are  not. 
The  barriers  that  once  reared  their  bulk  at  almost  every  turn 
are  falling  before  the  light  of  reason  and  common  sense.  There 
was  a  time  when  there  was  much — altogether  too  much — in  all 
these  names;  but  a  new  day  is  dawning.  The  banners  of  in- 
dividual families  and  leaders  are  being  lowered  and  furled,  and 
knives  are  being  returned  to  their  sheaths,  in  the  presence  of 
the  broad  tri-color  of  the  breed  itself  that  now  floats  trium- 
phant over  all.  The  hour  is  almost  here  when  it  will  be  enough 
to  know  that  an  animal  is  simply  a  Short-horn,  and  mere  tribal 
or  family  derivations  will  no  longer  usurp  the  place  of  honest 
worth. 

One  great  step  towards  a  complete  restoration  of  the  reign 
of  reason  in  Short-horn  circles  must  be  to  forget  many  of  the 
names  under  which  the  old  factional  flghts  were  waged.  There 
are  thousands  of  cattle  that  served  in  the  ranks  during  the 
old  wars  under  such  names  as  Marys,  Phyllises,  Louans,  Des- 
demonas,   Mrs.   Motts,   etc.,   that  are  to  this  day   told  by   some 


826  A    HISTORY    OF    SIIORT-IIOKN    CATTLE 

to  Stand  in  the  presence  of  their  alleged  superiors,  on  the  assump- 
tion that  they  are  still  of  what  was  once  frowned  upon  as 
plebeian  blood.  These  should  have  their  commercial  disabilities 
removed.  The  war  is  over.  A  general  amnesty  is  in  order.  Let 
me  explain. 

Turning  to  the  Short-horn  Herd  Book  at  random  I  find  the 
following  entry: 

"Gem  of  Oakland  4th;  red,  calved  March,  1884,  bred  by  J.  H. 
Potts  &  Son,  got  by  imp.  Von  Tromp  54160  out  of  Gem  of  Oak- 
land 3d  (vol.  25,  p.  1130)  by  Prince  of  Athelstane  40370— trac- 
ing to  imp.  Desdemona  by  Frederick  (1060)." 

We  have  been  taught  to  rate  this  cow  as  belonging  to  the 
Desdemona  family,  and  yet  it  would  take  several  yards  of 
paper  to  tabulate  the  full  pedigree  to  the  point  where  imp. 
Desdemona  would  finally  appear.  She  would  then  be  found 
at  the  bottom  of  the  last  right-hand  column  buried  so  deeply 
under  other  bloods  that  all  the  microscopes  ^  in  Christendom 
could  scarcely  find  a  drop  of  Desdemona  left.  Still  the  cow 
is  bought  and  sold  under  herd  book  approval  as  "just  a  plain 
Desdemona — one  of  the  old-fashioned  sort,"  notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  she  is  to  all  intents  and  purposes  of  the  best  Aberdeen- 
shire blood!  In  plain  terms  if  Desdemona  is  reached  in  the 
fourteenth  remove  she  will  simply  be  one  among  16,384  other 
recorded  animals  appearing  in  this  cow's  pedigree,  any  one  of 
which  has  just  as  good  a  right  to  give  its  name  to  Gem  of  Oak- 
land 4th!  She  is  no  more  a  descendant  of  Desdemona  than  of 
thousands  of  other  cows.  Now  for  the  important  fact;  the 
Desdemonas  were  not  in  the  Short-horn  "smart  set"  in  the  old 
days  of  speculation  in  pedigree.  Under  the  present  system  they 
must,  nevertheless,  continue  to  bear  that  name  and  be  rated 
accordingly,  despite  the  fact  that  there  is  none  of  the  blood 
of  poor  old  Desdemona  left.  The  time  has  come  when  this 
absurd  "tracing"  reference  as  printed  in  the  herd  book  should 
cease.  Even  if  it  had  some  real  significance  in  the  old  days  it 
has  absolutely  none  at  the  present  time.  This  of  course  opens 
up  a  discussion  of  the  whole  scheme  of  family  nomenclature  in 
Short-horn  cattle.  From  the  earliest  periods  breeders  of  Short- 
horns have  classified  their  cattle  into  families  by  reference  to 
the  maternal  side  of  the  tree  only.     I  can  see  why  in  the  record- 


APPENDIX  827 

ing  of  the  earliest  foundation  stock  this  might  have  had  somG 
justification  in  the  judgment  of  the  fathers  of  the  breed.  Wlien 
all  was  chaos  as  regards  pedigree,  such  men  as  Colling,  Bates 
and  the  elder  Booth  were  in  the  habit  of  buying  select  cows 
wherever  they  could  find  them.  Colling  ran  across  Lady  May- 
nard  at  Eryholme.  Bates  hit  upon  the  Duchess  heifer  at 
Darlington  market  and  Thos.  Booth  Sr.  found  the  first  Halnaby 
at  the  same  local  fair.  Each  thought  that  he  had  a  prize  and 
Bates  openly  boasted  after  he  had  acquired  his  original  Duchess 
that  from  her  he  would  produce  Short-horns  such  as  the  world 
had  never  seen  before.  And  he  came  near  "making  good," 
although  as  shown  on  page  99  of  "Short-horn  Cattle,"  the 
greatest  of  the  so-called  Duchess  bulls,  the  Duke  of  Northumber- 
land, carried  far  more  of  Stephenson's  Princess  blood  than  of 
the  Duchess.  The  claim  being  set  up  that  such  cows  as  Lady 
Maynard  and  the  original  Duchess  were  much  better  than  any 
other  cows  in  the  district  in  which  the  improving  of  the  Tees- 
water  cattle  was  in  progress,  it  naturally  followed  that  those 
who  had  immediate  descendants  of  those  few  outstanding  cows 
should  use  the  name  of  the  female  for  which  such  superlative 
merit  was  claimed  in  designating  the  progeny  even  unto  the 
second  and  third  generations,  regardless  of  what  part  the  bulls 
used  might  have  had  in  the  production  of  the  younger  cattle. 
It  gave  money  value  to  the  grandsons  and  granddaughters,  the 
great-grandsons  and  great-granddaughters  to  say  that  they  were 
descended  direct  from  such  and  such  a  famous  cow.  Hence 
the  printing  of  the  pedigrees  in  such  way  as  to  bring  out  that 
fact  to  the  virtual  exclusion  of  all  others.  This  system  once 
adopted  has  been  continued  by  Short-horn  breeders  to  the 
present  day. 

Historians  tell  us  that  in  the  lowest  unorganized  forms  of 
society,  when  savagery  and  barbarism  held  sway,  it  was  the 
universal  rule  that  hereditary  rights  and  property  descended 
through  the  mother.  The  reason  for  this  is  apparent.  There 
was  no  such  thing  as  fixed  habitations  or  family  relations.  There 
might  be  doubt  as  to  the  paternity  of  a  child  born  under  such 
a  system,  but  there  could  be  none  as  to  the  maternal  side  of  the 
case.  Names  and  titles  passed,  therefore,  from  mother  to  off- 
spring instead  of  from  the   father,   as  in   civilized   society.     It 


828  A   HISTORY    OF   SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

thus  appears  that  in  tracing  descent  through  the  dam  and  in 
naming  families  from  a  foundation  dam,  Short-horn  breeders 
have  simply  perpetuated  a  relic  of  barbarism  which  long  since 
should  have  given  way  to  a  more  rational  system.  There  is  no 
question  as  to  the  paternity  of  Short-horn  calves.  Under  our 
system  of  breeding  and  registration  the  sire  is  absolutely  known. 
Why  then  must  we  revert  to  the  methods  of  the  aborigines 
of  the  wilderness  in  undertaking  to  show  the  derivation  of 
the  progeny? 

My  proposition  is  that  the  Short-horn  association  should  drop 
the  words  "tracing  to"  imp.  so  and  so  in  recording  cattle,  and 
that  breeders  should  cease  using  the  words  Mary,  Phyllis, 
Josephine,  etc.,  in  their  advertisements,  because  they  mean  noth- 
ing and  set  up  false  standards  of  comparison.  Moreover,  they 
should  also  adopt  as  rapidly  as  public  sentiment  will  warrant, 
the  tabulated  form  of  printing  their  pedigrees  for  public  dis- 
tribution. Let  us  stop  this  childish  listing  of  Desdemonas,  etc., 
and  speak  of  cattle  as  Scotch-topped  American,  Scotch-crossed 
English,  Bates-topped  Scotch,  or  in  such  other  manner  as  shall 
convey  some  tangible  idea  of  the  blood  elements  actually  present. 
I  suggest  a  resolution  requesting  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the 
Short-horn  association  to  cease  making  these  misleading  and 
worse-than-w^orthless  family  references  in  the  herd  book.  This 
is  the  first  step  towards  the  complete  elevation  of  breed  above 
faction. 

More  care  should  be  exercised  in  the  naming  of  calves  being 
put  on  record.  In  the  case  of  the  individual  animal  there  is 
something  in  a  name.  True  no  high-sounding  title  will  add 
an  inch  to  the  spring  of  rib  or  reduce  in  the  least  the  length 
of  leg;  at  the  same  time  it  is  wrong  to  burden  a  good  beast 
with  a  name  that  is  positively  inappropriate  or  flippant.  One 
common  mistake  is  constructing  a  name  that  is  altogether  too 
long.  This  evil  finally  reached  such  proportions  that  the  Board 
of  Directors  of  the  association  had  to  pass  a  rule  limiting  the 
number  of  words  that  can  be  used  in  naming  Short-horns  to 
four.  Ordinarily  two  words  are  sufficient;  and  one  is  better  still. 
For  my  part  I  do  not  approve  of  using  either  the  name  of  the 
farm  or  the  name  of  the  owner  in  christening  Short-horn  babies. 
This  is  at  best  a  cheap   form  of  advertising  and   such   names 


APPENDIX  829 

are  not  liked  by  those  who  buy  the  cattle.  In  the  naming  of 
bulls  we  find  in  the  books  innumerable  instances  where  the 
owners  have,  unwittingly  perhaps,  discredited  their  own  work 
by  employing  a  word  or  words  little  short  of  insulting  to  any 
self-respecting,  well-bred  animal. 

Such  names  as  Bob,  Bud,  Kid,  Mike,  Dad,  Eli,  etc.,  are  all 
well  enough  around  the  barn,  but  they  do  not  lend  dignity  to 
a  pedigree;  nevertheless  there  are  hundreds  of  pure-bred  bulls 
registered  under  such  names.  Running  hurriedly  through  a 
few  volumes  of  the  herd  book  I  find  a  lot  of  bulls  have  gone 
on  record  under  such  names  as  Blockhead  189243,  Whiskers 
141068,  Ground  Hog  142116,  Rocky  Bill  198097,  Cross  Eyed  Buck 
142424,  Weary  Willie  194224,  Beefsteak  184963,  Goo  Goo  Eyes 
187886,  But  Cut  143983,  Ring  Tail  169891,  Fishback  148235, 
Dinkey  146549,  Quick  Relief  193785,  One-Eyed  Riley  141000, 
Young  Saloon  110719,  Podunk  125527,  Apple  138778,  Toad  141007, 
Buster  142718,  Cantaloupe  96573,  Grasshopper  98359  and  Hat  Box 
141342.  Now  this  sort  of  thing  may  contribute  to  the  hilarity 
of  the  trade,  but  is  it  fair  by  the  bulls?  Heifers  do  not  seem 
to  have  been  made  the  butt  of  jokes  to  such  an  extent  as  their 
brothers.  One  tendency  has  been  to  load  them  down  with  names 
longer  than  the  moral  law,  as  for  example:  Peri  Duchess  of 
Paddie's  Run  2d,  Duchess  of  Clarence  of  Cottage  Home  3d,  Miss 
Bates  2d  of  Mount  Pleasant  Township,  11th  Kirklevington 
Duchess  of  French  Creek,  Maud  Muller  4th  of  Native  Grove 
Farm,  Kirklevington  Duchess  of  Libertyville  3d  and  Airdrie 
Lizzie  of  Mush  Run.  I  find  a  cow  called  Eagle  and  another 
registered  Klondike.  Then  there  is  Pleasant  Home  Spot  and 
Mother's  Baby.  Bulls  also  catch  some  long  appellations,  such 
as  The  Man  from  Glengarry,  Dugan  Duke  of  Cedardale  146914, 
Red  Coat  of  Silver  Creek  Valley  and  B.  &  R.  &  I.  Grand  Duke 
of  Wild  Eyes  195175.  Then  there  are  queer  combinations,  such 
as  Sir  Lulu  145771,  Lord  Major  Miller  140318,  and  the  Duke  of 
4th  of  July  141138.  As  a  newspaper  man  I  was  impressed  by  the 
name  of  Sample  Copy  110091  and  Gazette  148822. 

It  is  manifestly  impossible  to  lay  down  any  specific  rules  upon 
the  subject  of  naming  cattle.  All  we  can  do  is  to  make  general 
suggestions.  First,  don't  use  long  names;  second,  don't  employ 
"slangy"  or  trashy  names;    third,  don't  use  the  name  of  your 


830  A   HISTORY    OF    SHORT-HORN    CATTLE 

farm;  fourth,  don't  tack  on  your  own  name;  fifth,  don't  per- 
petuate ancient  and  misleading  family  names,  for  this  is  pure 
and  simple  "tommy  rot";  sixth,  don't  give  masculine  names  to 
females  and  vice  versa;  seventh,  don't  use  hackneyed,  worn-out, 
commonplace  names;  eighth,  don't  use  Duke  and  Duchess,  Lord 
and  Lady,  Baron  and  Countess  and  other  titles  of  aristocracy; 
these  have  been  worked  to  a  "frazzle."  Try  and  choose  names 
that  sound  well,  look  well  in  type,  and  so  far  as  possible  give 
some  little  clue  to  the  immediate  ancestry. 

Probably  none  of  the  great  herds  in  Short-horn  history  ever 
carried  so  many  euphonious  and  carefully  chosen  names  as  the 
cattle  of  the  Messrs.  Booth.  Rare  judgment  was  used  at  Killerby, 
Studley  and  Warlaby  in  this  matter.  Groups  of  closely  related 
animals  were  given  names  that  had  a  corresponding  relation. 
When  one  chances  upon  the  names  for  example  of  Campfollower, 
Soldier's  Bride,  Vivandiere  and  Brigade  Major  one  knows  these 
animals  were  near  kin.  Twin  heifers  were  named  Bracelet  and 
Necklace.  If  Isabella  had  a  heifer  calf  by  Buckingham  it  would 
go  on  record  very  likely  as  Isabella  Buckingham.  Happy  also 
were  many  of  the  names  employed  at  Sittyton — most  of  these 
being  assigned,  I  believe,  by  Anthony  Cruickshank's  accomplished 
son  John  Y\\  Alliteration  came  into  play  here  with  satisfactory 
results.  Secrets  were  given  short  names  beginning  with  the 
letter  S  and  so  on  through  the  list.  Col.  Harris  followed  this 
up  at  Linwood  in  certain  cases. 

The  names  of  flowers  have  been  used  among  heifers  with 
happy  effect  in  some  noted  herds.  Bulls  should  have  names 
reflecting  if  possible  vigor  and  power.  Individuality  should  be 
aimed  at  in  all  instances.  ^Vhy  list  a  cow  as  Fanny  or  Daisy 
or  Mary  when  the  index  to  the  herd  book  shows  thousands  have 
already  been  recorded  under  those  names?  Think  up  something 
original  and  apropos.  Delve  into  mythology,  history,  poetry 
and  fiction  and  you  will  find  much  material  that  will  assist 
you  in  getting  out  of  the  rut.  This  may  take  time  and  research, 
but  you  will  be  more  than  repaid  by  the  pleasure  it  will  ultimately 
afford  you  to  know  that  your  animals  have  been  sent  out  to  do 
their  work  and  have  gone  down  into  Short-horn  history  under 
names  that  sound  v.ell,  look  well  and  indicate  that  you  have 
been  giving  attention  and  thought  even  to  those  minor  details 


APPEXDIX  831 

of  your  business.  Inappropriate,  outlandish  or  well-worn  names 
may  convey  to  the  outsider  the  impression  that  you  are  not 
taking  that  interest  in  your  herd  that  is  necessary  to  success. 
Little  straws  indicate  the  direction  of  the  wind.  The  naming 
of  your  cattle  is  not  an  unimportant  matter.  There  is  not 
enough  care  taken  in  this  regard  and  I  urge  you  all  to  give 
the  matter  more  consideration. 

And  now  as  to  the  name  of  the  breed  itself.  On  my  way  to 
the  late  convention  at  Portland,  Ore.,  I  fell  in  with  a  New 
England  farmer  who  told  me  that  he  owned  about  75  head  of 
"Durhams."  In  the  course  of  our  conversation  he  asked  me 
if  I  thought  the  "Red  Durhams"  were  really  any  better  than  the 
"blue"  ones.  He  spoke  of  the  Red  Durhams  as  if  he  thought 
them  a  distinct  type.  By  "blue"  I  at  once  assumed  that  he 
meant  the  one  distinctive  color  of  the  breed.  In  replying  I 
made  use  of  the  words  "roan"  and  "Short-horn"  and  commented 
upon  "Durhams"  as  being  a  virtually  obsolete  word.  He  replied, 
"Well,  of  course,  we  know  what  you  mean  when  you  say  Short- 
horn; but  our  farmers  stick  to  the  Durhams."  Under  that  sign 
the  improved  Teeswater  breed  made  its  early  conquests  on 
those  granite  hills,  and  I  imagine  the  old-fashioned  type  of  big- 
framed  table-backed  oxen  will  continue  to  win  prizes  at  the 
New  England  county  fairs  and  continue  to  serve  the  good 
farmers  of  that  section  in  the  yoke  for  many  years  to  come. 
Nevertheless,  the  name  of  the  breed  is  Short-horn.  Such  is 
the  legend  on  both  the  English  and  American  Herd  Books,  and 
what  indeed  is  in  that  name? 

For  answer  roll  back  the  curtain  of  a  century  past  and  call 
into  being  the  myriad  herds  that  have  trod  the  pastures  of  two 
hemispheres  under  that  appellation!  There  they  are  in  all  their 
beauty,  clad  in  their  coats  of  many  colors,  gracing  the  beauteous 
landscapes  of  "merrie"  England,  grazing  the  green  pastures  of 
sunny  France,  reveling  in  the  blue-grass  and  the  stalk-fields 
of  the  United  States,  fattening  among  the  straw-stacks  and 
turnip-fields  of  Aberdeenshire,  filling  the  feed-lots  of  Canada, 
ridding  the  Texans  of  their  horns  and  putting  meat  and  thrift 
under  their  hides,  roaming  the  ranges  of  Australia  and  the 
Argentine;  known,  valued,  appreciated  wherever  symmetry  and 
feeding  quality  are  sought  in  the  agricultural  world!     There  is, 


832  A  HISTORY   OF   SHORT-HORN   CATTLE 

therefore,  that  in  the  Short-horn  name  that  should  bring  the 
glow  of  an  honest  pride  into  the  heart  of  every  man  who  owns 
one.  There  is  that  in  this  name  which  should  command  you 
to  cast  out  sordid  selfishness  and  stand  up  for  the  breed  in  its 
entirety,  resolved  to  do  nothing  by  word  or  act  which  will  in 
any  way  imperil  its  future.  There  is  that  in  the  grand  old  name 
of  Short-horn  which  should  inspire  all  who  love  the  breed  with 
that  same  ambition  which  moved  the  Athenian  youth  of  old  to 
exclaim:     "The  trophies  of  Miltiades  will  not  let  me  sleep." 


INDEX 


Acmon   (1606),  201. 

Adams',     Luther,     importations, 

1886,    699. 
Adams'  last  importations,  707. 
Additional  importations  in  1875. 

476. 
Admah,   559. 
Adoption     of     Bates     type    and 

methods.    312. 
Airdrie  2478,  284,  286. 
Airdrie    Duchess,    an,    sells    for 

$23,600,    488. 
Airdrie     Duchesses     at     $18,000 

each,   454. 
Airdrie   Duchesses,   first  of,   253. 
Airdrie  Duke  5306,  294. 
A  line  of  Cruickshanks,  659. 
Albion   (14),  61. 
Alexander,  importation  of.  July, 

1853,  255. 
Alexander,  R.  A.,  of  Woodburn, 

251. 
Alexandrinas.  614. 
Alice's  Prince  122593,  690. 
Allen,  Lewis  F.,  269. 
"Alloy"  blood,  45. 
American   Fat  Stock   Show,   514, 

751. 
An  early  New  York  importation, 

162. 
Anemone,  592. 
Anna  by  Pilot,  64. 
Arabella.    202. 
Arabellas,   The.    173. 
Argentine     and     the     shambles. 

721. 
Athabasca   (4359),  621. 
Athelstane  blood  in  Canada,  632. 
Avalanche,    568. 
Avery  &  Murphy  sale,   452. 
Aylesby  Annas,   the,   472. 
Aylesby  Flowers,  the,  471. 
Azalea,  569. 

Bakewell   experiments,    31. 
Balco,    imp.,    322. 
Barbarossa    68197,   681. 
Barclay   of  Ury,    525. 
Barker's,  Wm.,  bull,  26. 
Barmpton   (37763),   600. 
Barmpton  farm,   33. 
Barmpton   Hero    (324   C.    H.   B.), 

.643. 
Barmpton   Rose,   145. 
Barmpton   Roses.   570. 
Barmpton  Sales,   51. 


Baron  Booth  of  Lancaster,    349. 
Baron  Cruickshank  106297.  739. 
Baron  Lavender  2d.  683. 
Baron    Lewis.    355.    401. 
Baron    Victor,    679. 
Baronet    (1614).  582. 
Bashful    2d,    702. 
Bates-bred  cattle  in  1S81,  512. 
Bates,    early    studies    in    cattle 

breeding.   70. 
Bates,  original  investments,  73. 
Bates,  Thos.,  and  the  Duchesses. 

69. 
Bates,   Thos.,   to   Kirklevington, 

83 
Bates,  Thos.,  death  of.  113. 
Bates,    last    appearance    in    the 

show-yard,   104. 
Bates   to   Renick.   204, 
Beattie,   Simon,  314. 
Becar,  N.  J.,   228.- 
Beck  Taylor.  298. 
Bell-Bates   tribes.   103. 
Bell  Duke  of  Airdrie,  281. 
Belle,  672. 

Belvedere    (1706).  84. 
Bertram,    177, 
Betts,   E.  L..   364. 
Bessies,  the,   615. 

Billy,  527. 

Birth  of  a  "boom."  357. 

Blossoms,   the.   126. 

Bolden,   S.    E.,    363. 
Booth     cross     disappointing     at 
Kinellar.    610. 

Booth  herds  foundation.  57. 

Booth  method  of  breeding.  133. 

Booth,   John,  at  Killerby.   67. 

Booth.  Richard.   120. 

Booth,  Richard,  of  Studley.  64. 

Booth,  Richard,  death  of.  132. 

Booth,   Thos..   57.   120. 

Booths  for  New  York  Mills.  374. 

Booth's,   John,   sale.   1852,   118. 

Booths,   the,    115. 

Bow   Park   herd.    481. 

Bow  Park,  sale  in  1879.  504. 

Bow  Park,  sales  in  1881.  508. 

Bracelet.   116. 

Bracelets,    the,    63, 

Brawith   Bud.    534. 

Brawith  Buds.   564, 

Breastplate,    448. 

Bride.    128. 

Bride   Elect.   128. 

Brides,   the.   280. 


833 


834 


INDEX 


Bridesmaid.    128. 

British  Flag,  imp.,   401. 

Britisher    (steer),    695. 

Broadhooks  family.   555. 

Brooks,    A.    S..    324. 

Broughtons,    115. 

Brown,  Hon.  Geo.,  and  Bow 
Park,    4S1. 

Brown,  Hon.  Geo.,  death  of.  507. 

Brown's,   Jas.,   red   bull.    26. 

Brown,  Jas.  N.,  264,  317. 

Brown,  Jas.   N.    &  Sons.   757. 

Brown,    Wm.    Judge,    318. 

Bruce,   Robt.,   713. 

Buchan  Hero    (3238).  536. 

Buckingham,    116. 

Buckingham  and  other  celebri- 
ties,   124. 

Burnside    461S.    313. 

Butterfly,   by  Matadore,    557. 

Butterfly  at  Sittyton,   556. 

Caesar  Augustus,   59S. 

Cambridge    Premium    cow.    93. 

Campfollower.   130. 

Campbell   of   Kinellar.    606. 

Campbell   and   Walcott.    369. 

Campbell   buys   The   Pacha.   529. 

Canada  West  Farm  Stock  Asso- 
ciation, 484. 

Canadian  Importations,  miscel- 
laneous,   648. 

Captain  Balco   (12546),   605. 

Carmine,    586. 

Carmine  Rose,   577. 

Caroline,   268.   276. 

Carr,   Wm.,    31. 

Challenger    (14252).    243.   279. 

Champion  of  England  (17526), 
5S9,   715. 

Champion  of  England  blood, 
concentration   of,    595. 

Charity,    123. 

Cherub,  imp..   11505,  413. 

Cherub    4th    (83359),    620. 

Cicely   sort,   the,   568. 

Clara  bv  ^Mahomed.   557. 

Claras,    the.    615. 

Clarence   Kirklevington,    485. 

Clarendon    (14280).   636. 

Clark   Co.    (O.)    Co..   248. 

Clark  Co.  (Ky.)  Importing  Co., 
397. 

Clav's  importations  to  Ken- 
tucky,   206. 

Cleopatra,   176. 

Clinton  Co.  (O.)  Association, 
247. 

Cleveland    Lads.    90. 

Clipper   by   Billy,    560. 

Clipper  cow,   527. 

Clipper   tribe,    559. 

Closing   events   of   1S74.   442. 

Closing  events  of  1875.    479. 

Closing  levents  of  1876.  490, 


Closing   events    of    the    century, 
663. 

Cochrane,   M.   H.,    371. 

Cochrane  sale  in   1880.   506. 

Cochrane's  sale  at  Windermere, 
497. 

Cold  Cream    (white   cow),   151. 

Colling,    Robt.,    47. 

Collings,  The,  33. 

Collings,   pre-eminence  of.   55. 

Collvnie,    624. 

Color.    794. 

Columbian     Exposition     awards, 
735. 

Columbian   records,   769. 

Comet    (155).   52. 

Comet   Star   9676.   328. 

Commodore    (54118),    714. 

Constance,    269. 

Constance   of  Lyndale,   391. 

Constitution,  character  and  con- 
formation,   796. 

Cornell,    Ezra,    361. 

Cossack    (3503).    285,    302. 

Count  Lavender   (60545).   717. 

Countess,   63. 

Cowan,   John   G..   404. 

Cowan,   J.   G.,   sale   of,   1875,    461. 

Cox    importation,    163. 

Crane,  Albert,  of  Durham  Park. 
462. 

Crane    pays    $23,600   for   an    Air- 
drie    Duchess,    488. 

Craven  Knight,  imp.,  96923.  684. 

Crocus,   568. 

Crossing   the    border.    520. 

Crown   Prince,    122,   123. 

Cruickshank,  Amos,  of  Sittyton, 
541. 

Cruickshank^  Amos,  sketch.  722. 

Cruickshank,    Anthony,    546. 

Cruickshank   brothers.   544. 

Cruickshank  cattle  at  American 
shows,    633. 

Cruickshank    cows    at    Collvnie, 
716. 

Cruickshank,   Edward,   624. 

Cruickshank    type    and    charac- 
ter, 542, 

Culshaw.    Joe.    571. 
Cumberland    (46144).   600. 

Cupbearer  imp.  (52692).  697,  705. 

Cupbea.rer.    sketch,    727. 

Curtis,  Wm.  &  Son.  327. 

Dairv   capacity,    764. 

Daisy,   35. 

Daniels,    Richard,    405. 

Davidson,  Jas.  I.,  638. 

Dav.   Timothv,   331. 

DeGraff.   Col.    Chas..    508. 

Devonshire,    174. 

Dexter  Park  auctions.  451. 

Diamond    (11357),  243,  280. 

Dick   Taylor,    293. 


INDEX 


835 


Dispersion    of    Barclay    of    I^ry, 

5:^9. 
Dispersion  of  Thos.  Bates'  herd. 

105. 
Doctor       Buckingham       (I440o), 

581. 
Douglas  of  Athelstaneford,   604. 
Dryden,   Hon.    John.    642 
Dryden  importation  in  18»<.  b4o. 
Dual-purpose  breed,  a,  744. 
Duchess    blood,    74. 
Duchesses  exported  to  England, 

359. 
Duchess  females,  110. 
Duchess,   original   cow.   34. 
Duchess     sale,     last     successful, 

1888.    709. 
Duchess  tribe,  69. 
Duchess  of  Airdrie,  254. 
Duchess  of  Athol,  253. 
Duchess   1st,   76. 
Duchess  34th,   95. 
Duchess  51st,   362. 
Duchess  66th,  231. 
Duchess  97th.   373. 
1st  Duchess  of  Oneida,  421. 
7th  Duchess  of  Oneida,  422. 
8th  Duchess  of  Geneva,  424. 
8th  Duchess  of  Oneida.  502. 
10th  Duchess  of  Geneva,  422, 
Duchesses  of  Gloster,  566. 
Duff  of  Eden.   532. 
"Duke"  bulls,  70. 
"Duke"   bulls  in   demand,   378. 
Duke  of  Airdrie  2743.   282. 
Duke    of    Airdrie,    imp.    (12730), 

254,    277. 
Duke   of   Connaught,    466. 
Duke      of      Devonshire      Short- 
horns,   502. 
Duke   of  Northumberland,   96. 
Duke  of  Noxubee,  673. 

Duke   of   Richmond,   imp.,   21525, 
486,    650.    655. 

Duke   of   Wellington.    219. 

"Duke"    the    first    for    America, 
228 

2d    Duke    of   Athol    (11378),    253. 

2d  Duke  of  Geneva  5562.  290. 

2d    Duke    of    Hillhurst,    alleged 
sale  of.   438. 

2d  Duke  of  Oneida  9926.   422. 

2d   Duke  of  Oxford    (9046),  104. 

4th  Duke  of  Clarence,  484. 

4th  Duke  of  Geneva.  432. 

4th  Duke  of  Thorndale  2790.  360. 

8th   Duke   of   Tregunter,    672. 

14th    Duke   of   Thorndale   brings 
$17,900,   489. 

15th  Duke  of  Airdrie.  33S. 

Dun   and   Smith   sale.   1838,   179. 

Dun's,  Walter,  importations,  178. 

Duncan,   .Jere,    282. 

Duncan,    W.   R..    336, 


Duncan's    Duke.    284. 
Duncan's  W.   R.,  sale,   392. 
Dunmore's  big  deal,   413. 
Dunmore  sale   in   187o,   465. 
Durham   cow,   168, 
Dutch  cattle.   23. 
Duthie,   Wm.,    624. 

•  Earl  Ducie  sale  in  England,  230. 
Earl    Dunmore's    sale     in     1872, 

402. 
Earl  Spencer,   141. 
Early  breeders,  24. 
Elbert    &   Fall,    757. 
Eliza  bv  Brutus.  559. 
Elliott  &  Kent,   446. 
Emmas,   the,   616. 
English  sales  in  1878,  502. 
English  sales  in  1873.  433. 
Exportations  to  England,  396. 

Fairfax   Royal    (6987),   576. 

Fairholme  experiment,   59. 

Faith,    122. 

Falling   market    in   1878,   oOl. 

Fancy  by  Billy,  558. 

Fanny  Airdrie  "nick,"  658. 

Farewells.    114. 

Farmer's    cow,    19. 

Favorite    (252),   41. 

Fawcett's  bull,  37. 

Fawkes   of   Farnley  Hall,   lol. 

Fayette    County    Importing    Co., 

208. 
Feed-lot      considerations     para- 
mount,   520. 

Feed-lot  favorites.  746. 
Feeding    for   seaboard    markets, 
182 

Field'  Marshal     (47870)     at    Col- 
lynie,  717. 

P^irst   Bates  bull   for  Ky.,   214. 

First    importations    to    America, 
157.  ^      ^ 

First    Short-horns    west    of    the 
Mississippi,    328. 

Fitz  Leonard    (7110).  532. 

Flatt  sale  in  1899,  741. 

Foggathorpe  family,  102. 

Foljambe,    39. 

Forbes  sale  in  1S99.  740. 

Forest  Grove  sale,  732. 

Forth    (17866).    591. 

Foundation   stock.    25. 

Fox   sale   in    1877.   500. 

Frederick      William      and      "the 
twins,"    659. 

Galloway  cross.   45. 
Gambetta    (49618),    692. 
"G"   and   "M"   tribes,   472. 
Gav  Monarch,   92411,   738. 
General   Grant,   4825,   345. 
Geneva   cattle   abroad,   367. 
Gentle  Annie,   295. 


836 


INDEX 


Gibson,    Richard,    369. 

Gibson's  sale  of  1882.  664. 

Gillett,   John   D.,   752. 

Glen   Flora  dispersion,  445. 

Gold   Digger    (24044),   619. 

Golden    age,    the,    434. 

Golden   Days,    565. 

Golden    Drops,    608. 

Golden  Drops   in   America,   636. 

Golden   Drop  of   Hillhurst.   678. 

Golden   Rule   9826S,    736. 

Goldfinder   (47967),  693. 

Goldfinder,   imp.    (2066),   297. 

Goldies,   the,   616. 

Goodness    3d.    281. 

Gough   &  Miller   cattle,   158. 

Grand  Duchesses,   the,  362. 

Grand   Duchesses,   the,   233. 

Grand  Duke  2933.   282. 

Grand  Duke    (10284).  233. 

2d  Grand  Duke   (12961),  234. 

Grand  Duke  of  Gloster   (26288), 

566. 
Grand  Lady,  555. 
"Grasmere,"   301. 
Green  Bros.,   of  Innerkip,   649. 
Griswold   sale   of  1875,   459. 
Groom    importations    and    sale. 

462. 
Grove  Park,  317. 
Gwendoline  2d,  709. 
Gwynnes,   459. 
Gypsy  Maid.   706. 

Halnaby  or  Strawberry  tribe,  62. 

Hamiltons,   the,   672. 

Hamiltons  of  Kentucky,  507,  509. 

Handling  quality,   796. 

Hannah   More,   297. 

Harris  of  Linwood,   676. 

Harris,   B.    F.,    318. 

Harward  and  Downing  sale,  403. 

Havering    Nonpareil    2d,    696. 

Havering  Park  sale.   365. 

Hay  of  Shethin,  536. 

Heir  of  Englishman  (24122),  619. 

Hellidon  sale,  467. 

Herd  Book,  American,  founda- 
tion,   269. 

Herd  book   consolidation,  742. 

Herd   book   registration,   792, 

Herd   book   matters,    406. 

Hill,   J.   M.,   sale,   337. 

Hill  of  North  Oaks.  692. 

Hillhurst  and  Lyndale  opera- 
tions,  395. 

Hillhurst,   Duchesses,  sale,  663. 

Hillhurst   importations.   371. 

Hitt.  E.  B.  &  Bro..  318. 

Holderness    breed,    23. 

Holford,   Duchess  sale.   671. 

Holker  Hall  Oxfords,   503. 

Hollingsworth,   Samuel,   331. 

Holloway's,  Col.,  big  average, 
487. 


Hope,   122. 

Hope.  John,   698. 

Hope's  show   herds  of   1887  and 

1889,    695. 
Hopewell,    126. 
Hopkins,   Samuel   M.,    165. 
Hubback   (319),  27. 
2d  Hubback   (1423),   82. 
Hudson    (9228).   577. 
Hustler,    Mr..    49. 
Huston,   John,   319. 
Huston,   Rigdon,   710. 
Huston-Gibson  sale  in  1883,  666. 
Hutcheson  of  Monyruy,  530. 
Hutchcraft's  importation.  208. 

lanthe,    214. 

lies    importations    into    Illinois, 

649. 
Illinois   herds   first.   316. 
Illinois,   high   prices   in,   398. 
Illinois  Import'ng  Co.,  264. 
Importations      into      Tennessee, 

210. 
Importations,   recent,   738. 
Inbreeding,    39,   784. 
Indian  Chief    9851.  647. 
Indiana   breeders,    early,   320. 
Indiana,   first  importations,  262. 
Individual    character    of    Bates 

cattle.    112. 
Injudicious    breeding,    511. 
Inkhorn    (6091),    576. 
Iowa,  foundation  stock  in,  330. 
Isabellas,  64. 

Jacobs'  sale  at  West  Liberty, 
la.,    450. 

Jerry,    bull.    537. 

Joe  Johnson,  287. 

John    Bull    5981/2,    171. 

John  Bull  (11618),  584. 

Johnston,   Arthur,   647. 

Josephine,    195,    303. 

Journalism,  beginning  of  live- 
stock, 392. 

Julia  of  Ury,  529. 

Julius   Caesar,    67. 

Kate  Lewis,   343. 

Kello's  Mistake.  429. 

Kentucky  and  the  Patton  stock, 

159. 
Kentucky  summer  sales  of  1874, 

440. 
Kentucky  summer  sales  of  1883. 

670. 
Kentucky     importing     company 

of   1883.    669. 
Ketton,   bull.    79. 
Ketton   dispersion,   50. 
Ketton   farm.   33. 
Killerby,  58.  68. 
Kilmeny   3d,   559. 
Kinellar   sires,   early,   609, 
King,  Col.   W.   S.,   383. 


INDEX 


837 


King  Cyrus,  280. 

King's     Victory     at     St.     Louis, 

390. 
Kissinger's   sale,    446. 
Knightley's  "Fillpails,"   149. 
Knightley,  Sir  Charles.  149. 

Lady   Bride,    356. 

"Lady"  Colling,  46. 

Lady  Elizabeth.   209. 

Lady  Isabel.  696. 

Lady  McAllister.  317. 

Lady  Maynard,  35. 

Lady  of  the  Lake.  198. 

Lady  Sarah.  528. 

Lady   tribe   at  Sittyton.   555. 

Ladys  of  Clark.  307. 

Lakeland's  bull.  26. 

Lakeside's  show  herd  of  1888. 
705. 

Lancaster  Comet   (11663).  586. 

Lancasters,   the.   563. 

Lavenders,    574. 

Leonard   (4210).   121. 

Leonard,  C.  E.,  404. 

Leonard.  N..   328. 

Lethentv   farm.   623. 

Lily  by  Favorite,   139. 

Linwood,   676. 

Linwood  Golden  Drops,  682. 

Linwood's  salutary  influence,' 
690. 

Livingston  Co.  (N.  Y.)  Associa- 
tion,   260. 

Locomotive   (4245),  214. 

Longmore  cattle  at  Sittyton.  645. 

Lord  Althorpe  (Earl  Spencer). 
141. 

Lord  Bathurst  (15173).  583. 

Lord  Derby  4949,   337. 

Lord   George    (10439),   117. 

Lord  Mavor  112727,   686. 

Lord  Privy  Seal   (16444),   593. 

Lord   Raglan.  (13244).   585. 

Lord  Sackville   (13249),  557.   580. 

Lord   Strathallan   17591.   638. 

Louan  21st.  381. 

Louans,    283. 

Louans,  ancestress  of,  177. 

Loudon  Duchess.  306. 

Loudon  Duchess.  308. 

Loudon   Duchess   2d.   309. 

TiOudon  Duchess  6th,  310. 

Loudon  Duke  3097.  307. 

Loudon  Duke  6th  10399,  404. 

Lovelys,    the.   569. 

Lowman  and  Smith's  importa- 
tions. 653. 

Lyall.   James.   380. 

Lyndale  sale  at  Dexter  Park. 
1874,    437. 

Lyndale  show  herd,  386. 

Madame.  66. 

Madison  Co.   (O.)  sale.  239. 

Mahomed    (6170).   527. 


Major    (397).    46. 

Mantalini,   116. 

Mario    (11779).   241. 

Mario    (51713).   717. 

Market  falling  off  in  1878.  501. 

Marquis    (11787).    240. 

Marr   of  Uppermill.   612. 

Martin's,  Dr.,  importations  of 
1839,   207. 

Mary   Abbotsburn   7th,   729. 

Mason  and  Bracken  Association, 
259. 

Mason's  closing  out  sale,  140. 

Mason  of  Chilton.  138. 

Massachusetts  importations.  172. 

Master  Butterfly  2d  (14918).  583. 

Master  Geneva  20368.   655. 

Matadore   (11800),  579. 

Matchem    cow,    89. 

Matchless  sort.  554. 

Maudes,     the,     612. 

Mazurka,   imp..  277. 

McMillan  sale.   379. 

Medalist    (13324).   249. 

Medora,    66. 

Megibben  Bedford  controversy, 
501. 

Meredith,   Gen..   321. 

Meredith's  sale  in  1875.  453. 

Meredith  sale  in  1876.  488. 

Merry  Hampton  132572,  739. 

Meteor,  221. 

Michigan,  pioneer  breeders  of, 
324 

Mignonette,    381. 

Miller  of  Brougham,  first  ship- 
ment, 637. 

Miller  purchase   in   1887,    704. 

Miller  sales  in  1881.  509. 

Milne  of  Kelvin  Grove,  477.  651. 

Mimulus  by  Champion  of  Eng- 
land. 553.   642. 

Mimulus  family.   553. 

Minister  6363,   336. 

Miscellaneous  importations.  225. 

Miss   Ramsdens,   608. 

Miss  Shaftoe.   248. 

Miss  Wiley  4th,  306. 

Missies,  the,   613. 

Moberley  and  Young  Abbots- 
burn.  722. 

Moberley,  Col.,  death  of.  732. 

Moore's  Iowa  sale.   502. 

Monarch.   717.  321. 

Morris,  Col.  L.  G..  228. 

Moss   Roses,    115. 

Mrs.   Motte,    160. 

Muir,   Col..  674. 

Muscatoon  7057,   304. 

Nannie  Williams,  283. 

National    convention,    the    first. 

405. 
Necklace.   116. 
Nectarine  Blossom.  127. 
Nelly   Blys,    348,    447. 


838 


INDEX 


Nelson,  Jas.   &  Sons,   712. 

New  era  at  hand.  510. 

New  type  sought,  542. 

New   Year's   Day,   249. 

New  York  figures   (dairy),  776. 

New    York    importations,    early, 

New  York  importations,  215. 

New  York  Mills  dispersion,   416. 

Nichols,  R.  F.,  262. 

Nonpareils  of  Kinellar.  608. 

Nonpareils,   the,    556. 

Norfolk    (2377).    88. 

Norrie,  Alex,  724, 

North  country  herds,  other,  603. 

North  Elkhorn,  Ky.,  importa- 
tion,   478. 

Northern  Kentucky  Association, 
242. 

North  Oaks  sale,   1888.   694. 

Oakland  Favorite    (10546),  404. 

Ohio  Importing  Co.,  185. 

Ohio  Importing  Co.'s  agents  in 
England  in  1834,  188. 

Ohio  Vallev  herds,  181. 

Old  Sam.   390. 

Ontario,  early  importations,  626. 

Opening  sales  of  1876.  485. 

Opposition,    spur   of,    514. 

Opposition  to  prevailing  "fash- 
ions"  developed.   407. 

Orange  Blossom   18th.  650. 

Orange   Blossoms.   558. 

Origin  of  the  breed.  22. 

Orontes   2d    (11877).    245. 

Oxford  Premium  cow.  92. 

Oxford  Royal  of  1839.  91. 

Oxfords.  89. 

Page,  John  R.,  416. 

Palmer's    sale    of    Scotch    cattle, 

667. 
Palmv     days     at     Killerby     and 

Warlaby,  114. 
Paragon  of  the  West  (4649),  200. 
Parks,   C.   C.   and   R.  H.,   411. 
Patton  stock,  159. 
Pearl,  bull,  298. 
Pennvman.   Sir  Jfis.,  24. 
Phillips,   Geo.   W..   327. 
Phoenix   (bv  Foliambe),   40. 
Pickrell,  J.  H..  339. 
Pickrell    and    Kissinger,    491. 
Pickrell's    great    sale,    April    27, 

1875,    448. 
Pickrell,  Thomas   &  Smith   sale, 

669. 
Picotee   and  her  progeny,   554. 
Pilot    (496).    61.    67. 
Plantagenet   (11906).   580. 
Plum   Blossom.    126. 
Pocahontas.    295. 
Policy  at  Sittyton.  550. 
Polled  Durhams,  779. 
Portraiture,   about  animal,   807. 


Potts  and  the  Duke  of  Rich- 
mond,   655. 

Potts'  twenty  years  in  the  show 
yard,   660. 

Pow^el's,  Col.,   purchases,   176. 

Premium,   554. 

Prentice,  Jas.,  171.    . 

Pride  of  the  Isles  (35072),  565, 
597. 

Primary  points  in  management, 
799. 

"Prime    Scots,"    747. 

Prince  Alfred,   131. 

Prince  Alfred    (27107),   593. 

Prince  Louis    (27158),   618. 

Prince   Regent,   171. 

Princess   Alice,   688. 

Princess  blood,  introduction  of, 
224. 

Princess  Royal,  561. 

Princess  Royals,  614. 

Princess  strain,   28,   84. 

Princesses,    457. 

Prizes  at   Cambridge,   93. 

•Profitables,"  the,  223. 

Progress    in    the    Central    West, 

Pure  Gold,   535,   564. 
Queen  by  Acmon,  329. 
Queen  of  the  May,   129. 
'  Queen   Mab,    129. 
Queens,   the,  128. 

Rachel  2d,  268,  277. 

Rachel   3d.   317. 

Rallv  of  1880,  506. 

Range,   on   the,   761. 

Records  in  Iowa   (dairy),  775. 

Red  Rose  2d,  224,  457. 

Red  Rose  8th,  294,  300. 

Red   Roses,   102,   289. 

Renick,  903.  302. 

Renick,  Abram,  and  Airdrie,  2S4. 

Renick,  Geo.   and  Felix,   183. 

Renick   exportation,    478. 

Rennie  of  Phantassie.   523. 

Report    (10704),   577. 

Revival  of  interest  in  the  West, 
236. 

Richardson,  Thos.,  261. 

Rise  of  Bates-bred  cattle  in 
1881,   510. 

Rise  of  Scotch  power  in  Amer- 
ica,   626. 

Robertson   of  Lady  Kirk,    521. 

Roan  Duchess  sort,   103. 

Roan  Gauntlet    (35284),   599. 

Roan  or  Red  Ladys,   614. 

Roe,  John  P.,   334. 

Rose  of  Sharon.  192. 

Roses  of  Sharon,  inbreeding  of, 
288. 

Rose  of  Summer,   606. 

Rosedale,  390. 

Rosys,    the,   150. 

Roval  Barmpton   (45503).  644, 


INDEX 


S39 


Roydl   Duke  of  Gloster    (29864), 

599. 
Royal  Fame.  615. 
Royal   Hero   113611,   689. 
"Royal"  honors  for  Bates  cattie, 

358. 
Russell  of  Exeter,  648. 

St.  Valentine  121014,  741. 
Sales  in  the   Blue  Grass,   455. 
Sallie  Girl.  689. 
Sanders,   Col.   Lewis,   16o. 
Science,  "roots"  and  Short-horn, 

519. 
Scioto     Valley      Importing      Co. 

sale,    237. 
Scotch  cattle  to  the  fore,    51o. 
Scotch   heifer   brings   $3,500. 
Scotch  power  in  America,  462. 
Scotch     success     at     the     shows, 

655. 
Scotland's     Pride     (25100).     570, 

597 
Scotland's   searching   test,   517. 
Scotsman,    387. 
Scott    Co.    (Ky.)    Importing   Co., 

Scottish  Archer   (59893),   717. 

Search    for   sires,    685. 

Seaton   4356,   300. 

Second  Mint,   535. 

Second     period     of     activity     in 

America,    227. 
Secrets,   the,    103,    567, 
Selling  the  surplus,  805. 
Sensation  of  seventy-three,   410. 
"Seventeens,"   the,   165,   275. 
Seymour,  R.  R.,   184. 
Shaker  importations,  258. 
Shakers   of  Ohio,    626. 
Sheldon,  J.  O..   262,  366. 
Sheldon  herd  transferred,   376. 
Showing,    802. 

Simpson  and  Buchan  Hero,  536. 
Sir  Alfred.   283. 
Sirius,   247. 
Sittyton,   541. 
Sittvton    bulls,    first.    575. 

Sittvton   cattle  in  Canada,  first, 
630. 

Sittvton  farm,   548. 

Sittvton    herd,    sale    of    in    1889, 
712. 

Sittyton   sales,   summary,   721. 

Sittvton  sorts  at  Uppermill,  617, 

Smithfield   Club,   750. 

Soldier's  Bride,    130. 

Sources   of   deterioration,    430. 

Spears  &  Son,  447. 

Speculation,  evils  of,  513. 

Spicys,   the.    574. 

Stapleton  Lass.  242. 

Starlight  (12146),  240. 

State  fair  tests,  766. 

Stevenson,  Dr.  A.  C,  320,  414. 


•Stewart,    Wm.,    sa.le,    414. 
StrafCord-Page  discussion.   417. 
Strathearn    herd.    703. 
Strawberry     or     Halnaby     tribe, 

62. 
Studley   bull,    23. 
Studley  farm,  64. 
Sultan    (l-'.So),   148. 
Sweepstakes  6230,   287,  341. 

Tabulated  pedigrees,  importance 

of,   97. 
Teeswater  cow,  168. 
Teeswater   stock,   faults  of,   30. 
Texas    panhandle,    761. 

Thames,  285. 

'•The  American   cow,"   48. 

The   Baron    (13833),   581. 

The  Czar   (20947),  586. 

"The  Durham  Ox,"  42. 

The  Earl    (646),   82. 

The  Pacha   (7612).   527. 

"The   White   Heifer   That   Trav- 
elled,"  44. 

Thompson    importation    in    1870, 
633. 

Thompson's   other   importations, 
636. 

Thomson,    H.    P.,    sale    of    1875, 
460. 

Thornberry  (12222),  241. 

Thorndale     and    the    Duchesses, 
232. 

Thorndale  Roses,  360. 

Top    prices   in   England   in    1878, 
502. 

Torr,   Wm.,    153. 

Torr's    Triumph,    469. 

Towneley.   Col.,   571. 

Trans-Mississippi    trade,   46'' 

Tribal  designation,  808- 

Tuberose  2d,  4:" 

Turn   of  the  tide,   481. 

Twin  Brother  to  Ben,  59. 

Tvcoon  7339,  389. 


Universal  adaptabilitv, 
Uppermill,    618. 
Ury    Farm,    525. 


'45. 


Vail's  purchases  of  Bates'  cat- 
tle   in    1835,    219. 

Vaile  and  Rumsey  importations, 
507. 

Van   Dunck    (10092).   14P. 

Van   Meters,    the,    290. 

Velvet  Jacket   (10998),  577. 

Venus  tribe,   552. 

Vesper,   118. 

Victoria   51st,    654. 

Victorias,   the,    562. 

Village  Rose  and  Village  Belle, 
583. 

Violets,  first  of  the,  552 

Violet's  Forth.   635. 


840 


INDEX 


Violette,    569. 

Virginia  in  the  van.  157. 

Vivandiere,   130. 

Walcott   &  Campbell,   369. 

Warfields,    the.    300. 

Warlaby  and  its  show-yard 
wonders,  119. 

Water  King-,  135. 

Waterloos,    the.    100. 

Wendell,   Dr.   H.,  261. 

Wentworth,   Hon.   John,   319. 

West  Liberty  sale  in   1887,   702. 

Western  events  in  1874,  439. 

Western   Lady,    269. 

Wetherell,  the  "Nestor"  of  the 
trade,  144. 

Whitaker,   Jonas,   143. 

Whitaker's   Norfolk    (2377).   88. 

Whitaker's  selections  of  1835 
and    1836,    192. 

Whitaker's  shipments  to  Amer- 
ica.   221. 

"White    Cow"    by    Agamemnon, 

White  Rose,  103. 

White  Strawberry,   121. 

Wibaux,   Pierre,   763. 

Wild  Eves  tribe,  101. 

Wiley  of  Brandsby,   148. 

Wilhoit   herd.    661. 

Wilhoit,   Thos..  323. 

William  of  Orange   (50694).  621. 


Williams  &  Hamilton  sale  in 
1884.    675. 

Willis,  J.  Deane,  719. 

Wilson,  T.  S..  330. 

Wilson  and   Seawright,   259. 

Windsor  and  the  Blossoms,  126. 

Windsor  Augustus    (19157),   591. 

Wisconsin,  an  early  importa- 
tion,  263. 

Wisconsin  experiment.  773. 

Wisconsin   herds,  early,  334. 

Woodburn,   251. 

Woodburn  dispersion.  733. 

Woodburn  Farm,  subsequent 
shipments    to,    256. 

Woodburn  sale  of  1882,  665. 

X  I  T  Ranch,  762. 


Young 

728. 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
620. 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 
Young 


Abbotsburn    110679,    722, 

Albion   (15),  62. 
Broadhooks.   538. 
Chilton    (11278),  245. 
Denton    (963).  172. 
Englishman   (31113),  613, 

Marshal   110705,   688. 
Mary,    192,    291,    295. 
Phyllis,  195,  291,  292,  295. 
Strawberry,  35. 
Whittington.   317. 


